11 Oct 2018 (AFR) – Consumer sentiment lifts despite house and petrol price pressures: Westpac

(11 October 2018, AFR, p7, by William McInnes)

Consumer sentiment index (Westpac Economics, Melb Institute)

‘Consumer sentiment ticked slightly higher in October, even as the number of negative factors including falling house prices and rising petrol prices weighed confidence. The Westpac Melbourne Institute Index of Consumer Sentiment rebounded 1 per cent to 101.5 and remains above 100 points, a sign that optimists still outnumber the pessimists, with positive economic factors likely contributing to the more positive sentiment. “This month’s small gain follows a 5.2 per cent fall through August and September,” said Westpac chief economist Bill Evans. ‘

Read more at AFR.com (might need AFR login access, or try: AFR.com/trial)