Shopper sentiment dips in March index

The Westpac Melbourne Institute’s March shopper sentiment index confirmed a downturn, reflecting a actuality test for Australian customers amid financial challenges, with Matthew Hassan (pictured above), senior economist at Westpac, highlighting the contributing elements.

“The decline comes as a actuality test after a modest pick-up within the index in current months had provided glimmers of hope that value of residing pressures is perhaps beginning to ease,” Hassan mentioned.

Nonetheless, the newest Westpac Melbourne Institute shopper sentiment index indicated a lower to 84.4 in March from 86 in February, underscoring a persistent pessimism amongst customers.

Financial considerations and inflation woes

The survey highlighted particular anxieties, with the sub-index for financial circumstances within the subsequent 12 months dropping by 4.5%.

“Development within the December quarter of final yr was a sluggish 0.2%… which can have performed a component within the weak point we noticed in that sub-index,” Hassan mentioned.

Moreover, inflation continues to dominate shopper considerations, regardless of a slight discount within the depth of negativity surrounding the problem.

Combined sentiments on housing and rates of interest

Whereas some areas of the survey confirmed modest enhancements, equivalent to a slight uptick within the sentiment in direction of shopping for a dwelling, the general outlook stays cautious. The survey earlier than and after the Reserve Financial institution’s resolution to carry the money price revealed a major influence on shopper sentiment.

“The index studying amongst these surveyed previous to the Reserve Financial institution’s March price resolution got here in at 94.9, dropping sharply to 79.3 amongst these questioned after,” Hassan mentioned.

Outlook and pockets of optimism

Regardless of the overarching gloom, Hassan famous some optimism in particular demographics, equivalent to funding property house owners and residents of Western Australia. Nonetheless, older age teams and Gen-Xers seem much less hopeful, doubtless reflecting considerations over housing affordability and debt.

“General, the slight dip within the headline index for March reveals that it’s sluggish going for the patron as they proceed to await an all-clear sign from the RBA on rates of interest,” Hassan mentioned.

For a complete evaluation, WestpacIQ gives Hassan’s full report.

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