NZ consumer confidence gains in fourth quarter as rising dairy prices lift mood in rural communities

NZ consumer confidence gains in fourth quarter as rising dairy prices lift mood in rural communities
Jonathan Underhill
By Rebecca Howard Dec. 19 (BusinessDesk) - Dec 19 (BusinessDesk) – New Zealand consumer confidence posted its biggest lift in four years in the December quarter as rural communities were more upbeat after gains in dairy prices although households remain cautious.   The Westpac McDermott Miller consumer confidence index rose 5.2 points to 113.1 in the December quarter, above the long-run average of 111.4. A reading above 100 indicates optimists outnumber pessimists. The present conditions index rose 2.2 points to 111.4, while the expected...