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Westpac's take on the, errr, Westpac data: Australia data: Westpac Consumer Confidence index (March): +0.2% m/m

In brief:

  • Sentiment continues to hold in slightly optimistic territory
  • March the fourth consecutive monthly reading above 100 level ... 2017 a year in which pessimism dominated
  • Index is still well below levels typically associated with a robust consumer

Note the less confident read on around job prospects

  • Unemployment Expectations Index +1%, a small deterioration following sustained improvement over the last year

Better on y/y picture, hopefully just a wobble on the month