Consumer confidence in Canada continued to rise in July, the fifth month-to-month increase in a row, according to the Conference Board of Canada.

The Ottawa-based economic think-tank said its index of consumer confidence rose to 82.9 in July, which is 12.7 points higher than at the beginning of 2009.

The index rose by 0.8 percent in the month, driven by consumers ' willingness to buy homes or cars.

But there were also significant areas of weakness, particularly regarding confidence about finances and employment.

Questions about current finances, future household finances and future employment all fell from where they were in June.