Confidence among New Zealand consumers increased in January as they remained upbeat about the general economic conditions, a survey by ANZ and Roy Morgan revealed Thursday.
The consumer confidence index rose to 118.3 in January from 114.7 in December. Readings above the 100 mark are taken as a net positive.
The current conditions index rose 8 points to 117, while future conditions index increased at the margin to 119, its highest level since mid 2011.
Consumers feel marginally less worse off financially than a year earlier with the corresponding index rising to -5 from -7 in the previous month.
The indicator measuring households’ expectations regarding their own financial prospects in the year ahead fell marginally to 29 from 31 in December. However, the sentiment is still regarded as positive, the survey report said.
Consumers’ outlook on the general economy one year ahead are better. Sentiment towards the economy five years out remains solid at 21, though down on the month prior, the report said.
by RTT Staff Writer
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