The Westpac/Melbourne Institute Index of Consumer Sentiment is a fitting signal for what has been an unhappy year for the Federal Government.
Consumer confidence
Consumers open wallets wider, so why do we need to cut rates?
Can anyone explain why the Reserve Bank needs to cut interest rates, as quite a few economists, media writers and industry leaders say it will, either next month, or December?
Sure it’s tough out there in retail land, but don’t blame the government
Mark McInnes’ comments are as silly as they sound. Consumer caution is as much to do with the higher savings (back to normal levels) of Australians as any crisis of confidence caused by governments.
Political snippets: Confidence in Australian economy ebbs again
The Westpac-Melbourne Institute Index of Consumer Sentiment fell by 3.5% in August from 92.8 in July to 89.6 in August.
Consumers less confident than bullish business
Australian consumers are less confident than business, the latest Westpac/Melbourne Institute survey of consumer sentiment shows. But is the lack of confidence due to interest rate rises?
Confidence returns after pregnant pause
It wasn’t such a shock that after successive rate rises from the Reserve Bank (followed by bank home-loan rate rises) and an awful lot of knee-jerk media reporting, that consumer confidence fell last month, writes Glenn Dyer.
American consumers give up, go home
The unhealthy position of the big market rally has been exposed for the high-wire act it is by a sharp fall in American consumer confidence, to 47.7 in October.
Consumer confidence surges to 28-month high
Are Australian consumers heading for a fall because they have become overly optimistic? Or are they now more resilient than they were in the first few months of the year?
DJ’s rich pickings from the PM’s cash splash
The naysayers who claim the Rudd government’s cash splash didn’t impact, need only consult the latest retail sector profit results.
Dyer index: economy a hotbed of contradiction
There are mixed messages coming out of the latest economy data figures, with information showing poor profits and weak wages growth but manufacturing profits on the rise.
Clothes maketh the retail industry
Clothing retailers have taken a battering this year, but niche segments — like online stores and men’s fashion — are growing and IBISWorld predict a growth rate of 2.9% for the industry.
US investors keep the blinkers on
For the third time in 10 days American markets and investors have received a reminder of the fragile state of the current recovery and market boom, writes Glenn Dyer.
Situation almost normal for economy
After a big slump, things are finally looking up for the the Australian economy with consumer confidence exploding and house prices rising.
Interest rates: what goes down must come back up
Interest rates are likely to rise, but not until business and consumer confidence are a little more stable, writes Ross Gittins.
Kohler: Mobilising the retail army
It seems women can deny themselves shoes and clothes for only so long; as soon as it’s safe to go back into the stores, they’re there, plastic drawn.
Morning Market Report: Consumer confidence below expectations
Consumer confidence numbers came in below expectations, while the market is down 87 and Wall St fell 82.
Green shoots in bloom: consumer confidence surges
Consumer confidence has joined business confidence on a strong upswing and is now at its highest level for 17 months.
Central banks in dot.com action replay
Central banks have erred around the world for failing to send messages that cheap money shouldn’t be used to speculate, writes Glenn Dyer.
RBA rate cut: this could be as good as it gets
Consumer confidence figures out this morning suggest Australia may have to earn its interest rate cuts in future, writes Glenn Dyer.
Crikey Says: Retail sales fall, confidence goes
Just how fragile are our tentative graspings at confidence?
Shoppers’ self-esteem edges lower
This month’s reported fall in consumer confidence was relatively tiny given the torrent of economic bad news both here and overseas, writes Glenn Dyer.
Consumer confidence vanishes into thin air
The Christmas-New Year holiday break did nothing to improve the confidence levels among Australian consumers and some leading employers, writes Glenn Dyer.
