Global consumer confidence declined in the second quarter of 2012, according to new data from Nielsen. The company surveyed more than 28,000 online consumers in 56 countries throughout Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and North America in May for its Nielsen Global Survey of Consumer Confidence and Spending Intentions.

It found that overall consumer confidence went down three index points to 91 in the second quarter, up two index points from the same period in 2011. Overall confidence rose in 41 percent of global markets measured by Nielsen, compared to a 68 percent increase in the previous quarter. Consumer confidence dropped in 26 of 56 markets, increased in 23 and remained flat in seven.

"Consumers are clearly proceeding with caution in relation to their spending intentions," said Dr. Venkatesh Bala, chief economist at The Cambridge Group, a part of Nielsen. "Consumer confidence lost momentum in the second quarter as global events, including a worsening Euro zone crisis coupled with slowing growth rates in China and India, impacted financial markets and consumer sentiment in many parts of the world. As renewed volatility entered global markets, consumers reacted by reining in spending and consumption intentions."