NZ consumer confidence edges lower in October in face of global gloom

Friday 14th October 2011

New Zealand consumer confidence fell slightly this month in the face of growing unease about the global economy, which is keeping kiwis relatively cautious about spending.

The ANZ-Roy Morgan Consumer Confidence measure fell 0.3 points to 112.2 in October. The future conditions index fell 0.3 points to 117.2 and the current conditions index fell 0.4 points to 104.8. A reading of 100 marks the neutral line between that divides pessimists from optimists.

“The current global backdrop would normally be associated with a sharp tail-off in consumer confidence,” said ANZ chief economist Cameron Bagrie. “To date, this has failed to occur. Hence we find the spirit of the results encouraging.”

Those who deemed it a good time to buy a major household item fell to a net 18 percent from a net 29% in last month’s survey. A net 9 percent said they were worse off than a year ago, an improvement from the net 19% who felt worse off in last month’s survey.

Looking ahead 12 months, a net 29 percent expected to be better off, up from a net 24 percent in the previous survey. Looking at New Zealand as a whole, a net 5% thought the country would be in worse shape in 12 months time, from a net 4% last month.

Households expect annual inflation to average 3.4 percent over the next two years, down from 3.9% in the September survey. House prices are seen rising an average 2.7% in that time, little changed from last month’s 2.8%.

BusinessDesk.co.nz

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