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Consumer confidence

This Month

An auction in Sydney’s inner west at the weekend. Banks say borrowers are not rushing to reduce their repayments despite broader cost of living pressures.

Banks say borrowers aren’t reducing home loan repayments as rates fall

Three major lenders say only one in 10 customers are asking to pay less, a blow to retailers who have hoped the RBA’s moves would stimulate sluggish spending.

April

Consumers are at a low ebb.

US consumer confidence plunges to lowest in 5 years on Trump tariffs

The figures reflect a rapidly souring mood among Americans, who expect prices to rise because of the tariffs imposed by Donald Trump.

Does the bounce in markets make sense given the ugly economic reality that’s coming for Trump’s America? Not to this column.

America is panicking about empty shelves. That’s bad news for markets

The pain of a trade war between the US and China has already started, but Wall Street is all-in on a deal arriving soon. Here’s why that’s optimistic.

Why Rolexes and Nikes could get more expensive

The ripple effects from the biggest assault on free trade in decades will be felt across the world – not just on US shop shelves.

March

There has been a staggering reversal in consumer confidence since Donald Trump’s victory last November.

US consumers are freaking out. Australian investors should worry

Donald Trump’s tariffs have smashed confidence at the same time as household wealth has taken a whack from falling shares. April 2 looms larger by the day.

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A news report of Xi Jinping, China’s president, at the National People’s Congress displayed a screen in Beijing, China.

Signs of consumer pick-up as China fights off tariff hit

Data released on Tuesday showed retail sales rose 4 per cent in the January-February period, better than a 3.7 per cent rise in December. 

The ASX joined Wall Street in correction territory last week.

Macquarie warns of bear market as US spending collapses

The broker expects any rebound to be short-lived as Donald Trump’s trade war and government spending cuts could trigger a 20 per cent drop in the sharemarket.

After two years of cutting back, Australians are finally loosening their purse strings as confidence rises.

The six charts that show the consumer comeback is here

After two years of cutting back, Australians are finally loosening their purse strings as confidence rises. But a full-blown boom seems unlikely.

November 2024

Despite the lift in sentiment, households may need to wait another seven months before receiving mortgage relief.

Consumer confidence hits 2½-year high as rate rise fears ease

Despite the lift in sentiment, households may need to wait another seven months before receiving mortgage relief.

US spending shows a healthy economy.

Key US inflation gauge and spending pick up in solid economy

The figures cap a month of upside surprises in vital reports that will likely augur a cautious approach to interest rate cuts in the months ahead.

October 2024

The US economy is growing ahead of the presidential election next week.

US economy expands on the back of consumer resilience

Inflation-adjusted GDP grew by 2.8 per cent while consumer spending advanced 3.7 per cent, the most since early 2023.

Melbourne CBD from Albert Park Lake in August.

Fears for Victoria as economy ‘diverges from other states’

Victoria has fallen behind the rest of the country across a range of economic indicators including for house prices, spending and business conditions as economists warn of a “clear divergence” from other states.

Bourke Street was virtually empty during lockdown in Melbourne in 2020.

Victoria slumps for business, as execs warn: ‘It’s really struggling’

CSL chairman Brian McNamee and former NAB CEO Ross McEwan warn that the state is in financial peril, as new business starts fell behind the rest of the country.

September 2024

President Xi Jinping needs to step in to save China’s economy from falling into a deflationary spiral.

China’s stimulus no bazooka, but urgency has arrived

China’s efforts to stimulate its economy this week were welcomed and the fight against a slowing economy appears to be on.

June 2024

Financial markets are confident the US Federal Reserve will cut interest rates earlier than thought.

Upbeat markets price in rate cut as US inflation eases

US President Joe Biden welcomed the news of falling inflation but said more needed to be done to reduce the cost of living.

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May 2024

A surprising number of people say they are unaware of the stage three tax cuts.

Tax cut ‘surprise’ could pump $10b back into economy

A surprisingly large number of people are unaware of the stage three tax cuts, which may make them more likely to spend their share of $23 billion, adding pressure to inflation.

April 2024

Bridge Road in Richmond was once a  shopping hotspot but has become a ‘ghost town’, according to local retailers.

The Melbourne shopping hotspot that became a ‘ghost town’

Businesses on Bridge Road in Richmond, which has a whopping 15.5 per cent vacancy rate, fear an insolvency snowball effect.

Markets cut rate cut bets as US inflation rises to 3.5pc

Stubborn inflation driven by fuel and rent has raised concerns of a resurgence in consumer prices and slashed expectations the Fed Reserve will start cutting rates in June.

March 2024

Taylor Swift fans each spent an average of $37 on apparel ahead of her Sydney and Melbourne shows.

Swift Lift: Domestic travellers splashed $170m during Taylor’s tour

The average interstate and regional concert-goer spent $500 including $37 on clothing and accessories and another $120 on attractions.

February 2024

US CPI was hotter than expected.

Hotter than expected US CPI boosts chances of Fed hold

With inflation still well above the Federal Reserve’s 2 per cent target level, financial markets are betting that the central bank will keep rates steady.

Original URL: https://www.afr.com/topic/consumer-confidence-1mpi