NZ consumer confidence gains in March quarter in face of cheaper petrol, home loans

NZ consumer confidence gains in March quarter in face of cheaper petrol, home loans
By Jonathan Underhill March 23 (BusinessDesk) - New Zealand consumer confidence rose in the first three months of the year, as Kiwis enjoyed cheaper fuel prices and lower fixed home-loan rates, and became more upbeat about the near-term outlook for the economy. The Westpac McDermott Miller Consumer Confidence Index rose to 117.4 in the latest survey from 114.8 three months earlier. The present conditions index gained 1.8 points to 113.2 and the expected conditions index rose 3 points to 120.1. The survey comes after figures this month...