New Zealand consumer confidence rebounds as fuel prices fall
Falling fuel prices have driven a rebound in New Zealand consumer confidence. Confidence has now regained almost half of its recent fall, with both current conditions and future expectations lifting from their lows. The data points to cautious optimism in the household outlook.
Falling fuel prices have brought a clear rebound in consumer confidence in New Zealand. According to the published data, the confidence index has regained almost half of the drop it suffered in the recent period.
Both assessments of current economic conditions and expectations for the future moved higher from their recent lows. The decline in fuel costs is easing pressure on household budgets and supporting the appetite to spend.
Economists said the recovery in confidence could feed through positively to consumer spending, but cautioned that its durability depends on the path of energy prices and broader economic conditions. The central bank's monetary-policy decisions will also continue to shape the household outlook in the months ahead.
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