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Australian Consumer Confidence Falls on Inflation, Middle East Concerns

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The ANZ-Roy Morgan Australian consumer confidence fell 4.4 points to 71.2 in the week of July 20 to July 26, ANZ reported Tuesday.

The four-week moving average fell 1.2 points to 74.2, per the report.

Australian consumer confidence fell to a six-week low last week, weighed down by rising concerns over Middle East tensions, renewed inflation pressures and signs of a cooling labor market, according to ANZ economist Sophia Angala.

Weekly inflation expectations have edged higher ahead of Wednesday's second quarter consumer price index release, with markets watching whether underlying price pressures ease enough to keep the Reserve Bank of Australia on hold in August, Angala added.

Weekly inflation expectations inched up to 5.9% from 5.8%, while the current financial condition indicator for 12 months decreased 2.2 points to 63.9. The future financial conditions for the next 12 months fell to 77 points from 82.5.

Short-term economic confidence for the next year fell 2.8 points to 64.9, while medium-term economic confidence for the next five years decreased to 77.3 points from 81.4.

The "time to buy a major household item" subcategory fell 7.6 points to 72.7.

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