Australia: Consumer sentiment rises in April
The Westpac-Melbourne Institute consumer sentiment index rose to 85.8 in April from 78.4 in March. Consequently, sentiment remained entrenched below the 100-mark, indicating that there were more pessimists than optimists among Australian consumers.
April’s reading saw improved households’ expectations over the economy in the next 12 months as well as rosier expectations over family finances in the next 12 months. Additionally, willingness to buy major household items strengthened and assessments of family finances improved, as did expectations over the economy in the next five years.