Consumer confidence hits four-year high

Australian consumer confidence has started “2018 on a bright note”, with the index seeing growth of 4.5 per cent since the last reading on 19 December of 116.5, according to a statement from ANZ-Roy Morgan.

Consumers perceived financial conditions, economic prospects and the “time to buy a household item” with more optimism, according to the release.

The perception of current and future financial conditions rose by 5.8 per cent and 4.2 per cent, respectively, since the last reading, while current and future economic conditions rose by 5.2 per cent and 4.2 per cent.

Sentiments about purchasing household items also increased by 4.4 per cent, the release said, while expectations about inflation were “stable”.

ANZ head of Australian economics David Plank said that the year had started “on a high as the festive mood [carried] on to 2018”.

“Continued strength in the labour market and a strong performance in the Ashes series likely helped sustain the cheer among consumers,” Mr Plank said.

However, the ANZ head pointed out that consumer confidence tended to be higher in the first reading of January.

“Still, the increase this year is stronger than the 3.6 per cent average lift in confidence for the past nine ‘annual turns’, indicating that the gain in confidence is more than just seasonal,” Mr Plank said.

“Confidence has been trending higher since the low for 2017 in late August.”

He added that it was “encouraging” that consumers appeared more willing to overlook “high debt burden, moderating house price gains and the impact of higher petrol prices”, with strong employment growth pinpointed as a key driver.

“We’ll find out in February (with the next wages data) whether a pick-up in wage growth has also contributed to the gain in sentiment,” Mr Plank said.