Consumer confidence is up, according to the latest ANZ-Roy Morgan Consumer Confidence Survey, rising 3.9 points to 113.3 in August.
The month-on-month rise more than reverses last month's fall of 3.1 points and takes the index to its highest level since January. The survey was conducted via 1,048 interviews between July 25 and August 7, before the full impact of this week's mayhem on global financial markets emerged.
ANZ and Roy Morgan said an improving jobs market was the most likely candidate for explaining the rise in confidence. The most recent Statistics New Zealand figures show the unemployment rate remained steady at 6.5% in the June quarter, in line with economists' expectations.
The net proportion of respondents who think economic conditions in New Zealand will improve over the coming year is also at its highest level since January.
The survey's historical average is 118.3 points.
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