SYDNEY — Australian consumer confidence rose last week, its third consecutive weekly rise, as gasoline prices at the pump fell, taking pressure off stressed household budgets. Consumer confidence gained 2.1% over the week, according to a survey by ANZ Bank and pollster Roy Morgan.
In line with falling fuel prices, weekly inflation expectations dropped 0.5 percentage points to 5.5%, its lowest level since late May. Its four-week moving average fell 0.1 percentage points to 5.8%, the survey showed. Sentiment around current financial conditions rose by 0.5%, while future financial conditions increased 5.3%, the survey showed, Current economic conditions gained 1%, while future economic conditions rebounded 3.6%, almost reversing a 3.9% fall the week before. The rise in confidence came despite news that headline inflation exceeded 6% in the year to June, said ANZ head of Australian economics David Plank. The only confidence subindex that decreased dealt with the question of whether it is a good time to buy a major household item, which fell 1.5%. Ongoing weakness in the housing market and pressure on household budgets being likely reasons, Plank added. Despite the gain in in the past three weeks, sentiment remains at a very low level and vulner …