|

NZ consumer confidence slips, but above historical average - ANZ

In respect to the ANZ NZ consumer confidence gauge today, analysts at ANZ explained that on many levels, it is encouraging that headline consumer sentiment is still holding at reasonable levels. 

Key Quotes:

"Consumer confidence slipped further in November, but remains above its historical average.

The current conditions index rose slightly; future conditions fell.

Consumers appear to be looking through housing headwinds and the recent period of political uncertainty, seemingly happy to go with the flow, but with a cautious eye to the future." 

"Yes it is off its highs, but at a time of far more subdued housing market activity (and far more subdued house price expectations), petrol price increases, lower NZD (making that overseas trip a little more expensive), and heightened political and policy uncertainty, one could have been forgiven for thinking that consumers would be more inclined to go into their shells. Clearly, the strong labour market should not be discounted as a powerful supportive force."

Author

Ross J Burland

Ross J Burland, born in England, UK, is a sportsman at heart. He played Rugby and Judo for his county, Kent and the South East of England Rugby team.

More from Ross J Burland
Share:

Editor's Picks

AUD/USD hits eight-month lows below 0.6850 amid bullish USD

AUD/USD stays defensive below 0.6850, hitting an eight-month low in the Asian session on Thursday as the possibility of a steeper Fed rate hike in December helps the US Dollar hold near its highest level since April 2025. Geopolitical uncertainty also supports the safe-haven buck, while the RBA’s cautious, on-hold stance limits the Aussie.

USD/JPY eases from near 160.00 amid looming intervention risks, BoJ hike bets

USD/JPY retreats slightly from an over two-month high as the recent surge back to the 160.00 psychological mark prompted verbal warnings from Japanese authorities and sparked fears of direct FX intervention. Moreover, data showed that Japan’s wholesale inflation picked up again in October, strengthening the case for a BoJ hike in December and lifting the Japanese Yen. However, a bullish US Dollar, bolstered by odds of a jumbo Fed rate hike in December, could cap the pair's downside.



Gold hits fresh one-week low, eyes $3,950 amid sustained USD buying and Fed hike bets

Gold extends its descending trend for the third straight day, sliding back to $3,950, or its lowest level in more than a week. The US Dollar buying remains unabated amid firming Federal Reserve rate-hike expectations, bolstered by hot US consumer inflation figures. Adding to this, Middle East uncertainties further underpin the safe-haven buck, which, in turn, is seen as a key factor exerting downward pressure on the commodity.

MSCI drops Strategy from indexes: What it means for Bitcoin

Strategy and Bitcoin (BTC) came under fresh pressure late Wednesday after MSCI finalized its decision to remove the Bitcoin treasury company from its global indexes, raising concerns about potential selling pressure on MSTR shares and its future Bitcoin purchases.

Why the US Dollar's rally isn't as strong as it looks

The US Dollar Index (DXY) is back at an 18-month high, but most of its climb since August is the Euro falling. Against a wider group of trading partners, the Dollar has gained half as much, and the Federal Reserve has raised rates once this year. The US Dollar Index, which measures the Dollar against six other currencies, is trading near 103.

What the US CPI headline doesn’t tell you about inflation

Brent crude has fallen about a third since mid-October on hopes the Iran war is ending, but diesel, freight and fertiliser costs haven't followed. Those costs reach US consumer prices in stages through 2027 and could keep inflation high after gasoline gets cheaper.