-- The ANZ-Roy Morgan Australian consumer confidence fell 0.2 points to 64.3 in the week of April 13 to 19, ANZ reported Tuesday.
The four-week moving average rose 0.3 points to 62.5 points.
Australian consumer confidence was broadly unchanged during the reported week, remaining at its fourth-lowest level on record since 1973, as weaker economic sentiment offset stable labor market conditions, while higher fuel prices and soft confidence are expected to weigh on spending, according to ANZ economist Sophia Angala.
The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) Deputy Governor Hauser said last week that inflation in Australia remains too high and emphasized the importance of keeping expectations anchored, reinforcing our view that the RBA is likely to deliver a 25 basis point rate hike in May, Angala added.
Weekly inflation expectations inched up to 7.1% from 6.7%, while the current financial condition indicator for 12 months rose 5.8 points to 58.4. The future financial conditions for the next 12 months decreased to 75.3 points from 76.4.
Short-term economic confidence for the next year fell 2.8 points to 51.3, while medium-term economic confidence for the next five years decreased to 72.9 points from 76.7.
The "time to buy a major household item" subcategory rose 1 point to 63.7.