NZ consumer confidence gains in May amid rising house prices, improving jobs market

NZ consumer confidence gains in May amid rising house prices, improving jobs market
By Paul McBeth May 17 (BusinessDesk) - New Zealand consumers continued to get more optimistic this month as rising house prices and an improving labour market underpinned the rosier outlook. The ANZ-Roy Morgan consumer confidence index rose 4.5 points to 123.7, with more respondents in the survey feeling better off financially than they did a year ago, the first positive reading since March 2008. The current conditions index advanced 4 points to 123 and future conditions gained 5 points to 124. “Lifting business confidence had earlier sign...