UK consumer confidence plummeted by six points in February to stand at -9, according to the latest monthly survey from Martin Hamblin GfK on behalf of the European Commission. In this month's survey, consumer confidence fell to its lowest level since since October 1998, when economic turbulence in Asia impacted greatly on UK consumer confidence, GfK said. "The ever-increasing threat of war in Iraq is the key contributor to the sheer drop in confidence this month, with concerns about the UK stock market contributing to a lesser degree," it added. Once again this month, all five of the key measures have decreased, in particular the measures relating to the general economy and the benefits of making purchases at the present time. Perceptions of the development of personal finances over the last 12 months have decreased by 2 points this month, registering a score of +2, the lowest seen since November 2000. Expectations for the future of personal finances have fallen by 3 points during January and currently stand at +9, the lowest seen since November 2001.///www.fxcentre.com