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Latest news: Consumer Confidence

'Hello, anyone there?' Mobile phone complaints spike

'Hello, anyone there?' Mobile phone complaints spike

Thousands of Australians are reporting trouble with their mobile phone service, with smartphone snags responsible for almost half of all ombudsman complaints.

Big bank changes RBA rate call as cost pressures ease

Big bank changes RBA rate call as cost pressures ease

Big bank changes RBA rate call as cost pressures ease

Big bank changes RBA rate call as cost pressures ease

Slowing economic activity and softer price growth could convince the Reserve Bank to keep rates on hold, with inflation pressures weaker than initially feared.

Data centre boom fails to boot up lagging economy

Data centre boom fails to boot up lagging economy

Data centre boom fails to boot up lagging economy

Data centre boom fails to boot up lagging economy

A fourth Reserve Bank rate hike is still on the cards for 2026, despite a slowdown in economic growth, falling productivity and high labour costs.

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Retailers under attack from weak demand, rising costs

Retailers under attack from weak demand, rising costs

Australia's retail sector faces a pincer attack as the war in the Middle East increases costs and pushes consumers to the brink.

Consumers hang tough despite echoes of COVID headwinds

Consumers hang tough despite echoes of COVID headwinds

Economic echoes of the post-COVID-19 period indicate global volatility will not break Australia's hunger for credit, lowering the odds of recession.

Worse to come as oil crisis adds fuel to rate-pain fire

Worse to come as oil crisis adds fuel to rate-pain fire

A rate hike in May is forecast by analysts after the Iran oil shock pushed the annual headline inflation level to the highest point in almost three years.

Break in economic data keeps Middle East in focus

Break in economic data keeps Middle East in focus

Traders will be hoping US President Donald Trump strikes a permanent deal with Iran to keep the Strait of Hormuz open as the clock ticks on a fragile ceasefire.

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RBA's stagflation nightmare: prices up, confidence down

RBA's stagflation nightmare: prices up, confidence down

RBA's stagflation nightmare: prices up, confidence down

RBA's stagflation nightmare: prices up, confidence down

Consumer and business confidence has taken a dive following the Iran conflict, highlighting the Reserve Bank's dual fears of falling activity and rising prices.

Reality bites as Gen X defers cost of living

Reality bites as Gen X defers cost of living

Reality bites as Gen X defers cost of living

Reality bites as Gen X defers cost of living

As fuel costs soar, more consumers are choosing to buy now and pay later - and the biggest spenders may come as a surprise.

RBA to sift through jobs data as world watches Hormuz

RBA to sift through jobs data as world watches Hormuz

RBA to sift through jobs data as world watches Hormuz

RBA to sift through jobs data as world watches Hormuz

The labour market will be top of the economic agenda in the coming week, while speaking engagements from central bank officials will be closely studied.

World economy counts cost of war as strait closes again

World economy counts cost of war as strait closes again

World economy counts cost of war as strait closes again

World economy counts cost of war as strait closes again

The economic costs of conflict are greater than severe natural disasters and can leave scars that last for a decade, the world's "financial firefighter" says.

Consumer spending and confidence in the spotlight

Consumer spending and confidence in the spotlight

Consumer spending and confidence in the spotlight

Consumer spending and confidence in the spotlight

Analysts and governments will pore over latest economic data this week for more insight into the devastating impact of soaring fuel prices on the nation.

Top forecaster's dire prediction if Iran war drags on

Top forecaster's dire prediction if Iran war drags on

Top forecaster's dire prediction if Iran war drags on

Top forecaster's dire prediction if Iran war drags on

Australia could enter a recession, with the Reserve Bank raising interest rates a further three times, economists warn as fears of a protracted conflict mount.

Sunscreen overhaul unlikely to fix 'trust deficit'

Sunscreen overhaul unlikely to fix 'trust deficit'

Sunscreen overhaul unlikely to fix 'trust deficit'

Sunscreen overhaul unlikely to fix 'trust deficit'

Consultations have begun on new rules designed to help Australians slip, slop, slap with confidence but not all are convinced the fix will be so simple.

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Lunchbox staples prove costly for families

Classic school snacks are proving costly for families, with the price of a large basket of everyday lunchbox items varying between supermarket giants.

Confidence tanks as fuel spike flows to building costs

Housing Minister Clare O'Neil has brought together leaders from the construction industry as they grapple with skyrocketing materials costs.

Lululemon hit with hefty fine after spam email breaches

A popular athleisure brand has copped a hefty fine for sending thousands of spam emails without giving the recipient the option to unsubscribe.

Signs point to RBA fine tuning, rather than hike spree

Softer labour market data and consumer confidence levels reveal an economy coming back towards balance and not in need of major monetary tightening.

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Urgent recall for hand sanitiser given to resort guests

A hand sanitiser gifted to hotel customers for over five years has been found to be contaminated with a toxic ingredient and has been urgently recalled.

Rate hike 'risks hurting' fragile consumer sentiment

A fresh survey of Australian consumer sentiment doesn't make for encouraging reading as the central bank weighs lifting the cash rate at its next meeting.

Unwanted gift: Christmas caution over e-bike insurance

Authorities urge prospective e-bike buyers this Christmas to use reputable suppliers and avoid illegal or modified devices that could void insurance cover.

Plea for spending cuts as banks tip interest rate hikes

Half of Australia's big four banks are tipping the Reserve Bank to hike interest rates at its next meeting as inflation is pushed outside the target zone.

Sheep and beef behind rise in farmer sentiment

Tasmanian farmers are the most confident in the nation, while Western Australian primary producers are the most worried, according to a new survey.

Consumer confidence dips as households slowly recover

Years of lost purchasing power is still weighing on Australian households as the steady recovery in consumer confidence stalled in September.

Surprise rate hold another blow for consumer confidence

Fewer rate cuts than expected will further weaken already fragile consumer confidence, as the Commonwealth Bank records a gradual household spending recovery.

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