Confidence lifts but consumers ‘hardly gung ho’

Consumer confidence rose marginally in February, but many households are yet to feel the impact of an improving economy, according to ANZ research. The ANZ-Roy Morgan Consumer Confidence Index rose 0.6 points to 96.

6 in February. The proportion of households that think it’s a good time to buy a major house item, seen as the best retail indicator, lifted 1 point to -15. But responses were mixed amongst people with mortgages, and those without, and remains relatively subdued, ANZ said.



“Like businesses, consumers are feeling much more upbeat than six months ago, but they are hardly gung ho,” ANZ chief economist Sharon Zollner said..