According to the latest MasterCard International's MasterIndex Survey, India's score of 64.2 shows a slight dip from the previous reading of 70. However, the survey adds, the current index was still higher than any MasterCard score from December 1996 uptil June 1999.

The survey says that Indians continue to be most optimistic about regular income (80.3) but most concerned about employment (40.9). The scores for stock market (70.9), quality of life (16.1) and economy (63.8) have been fairly optimistic.

The MasterIndex, which acts as a barometer of consumers' pulse, is calculated on percentage response figures, with 0 as the most pessimistic, 100 as the most optimistic and 50 as neutral. The five economic factors in the survey include employment, economy, regular income, stock market and quality of life.

As far as the Asia/Pacific region was concerned, the survey points out that the "buoyant consumer confidence evident in most markets throughout 1999 is starting to level off." Commenting on trends in the region, MasterCard International vice-president Sameer Vakil said, "Markets have started to recover from the economic downturn."