Roy Morgan consumer confidence survey, released January 7:
- The weekly consumer confidence rating rose strongly to 116.4 (up 4.6pts since December 14/15, 2013) on the first weekend of 2014
- “The rise in confidence was driven by respondents having significantly more confidence about personal finances and Australian economic conditions over the next 12 months and also that now is a ‘good time to buy’ major household items”
- 56% (up 5%) say now is a ‘good time to buy’ major household items while only 15% (down 5%) of Australians say now is a ‘bad time to buy’
- 43% (up 2%) of Australians expecting to be ‘better off’ financially this time next year compared to only 14% (down 1%) that expect their family to be ‘worse off’ financially
- 30% (up 2%) of Australians expect ‘good times’ for the Australian economy over the next 12 months compared to 30% (down 7%) of Australians expect ‘bad times’
- But … 31% (down 1%) of Australians expect ‘good times’ for the Australian economy over the next five years (the lowest since June 1/2, 2013) compared to 22% (down 4%) that expect ‘bad times’
- Compared to this time last year only 29% (down 2%) of Australians say they are ‘better off’ financially and 26% (unchanged) say they are ‘worse off’ financially
