Asian Stocks Mixed as South Korea Slides on Profit-Taking, Japan and China Gain on Strong Factory Data 
Mary Daly Says AI Uncertainty Clouds Fed Rate Outlook Despite Restrictive Policy 
India Manufacturing PMI Slows in June as Demand Weakens Despite Lower Cost Pressures 
U.S. Dollar Drops as Weak Jobs Data Boosts Fed Pause Bets, Yen Jumps on Intervention Talk 
Brazil to Phase Out Gasoline Subsidy First as Diesel Support Stays Longer 
Trump Administration Declines USMCA Renewal, Opens Talks on New Trade Changes 
Moody’s Says Peru’s President-Elect Keiko Fujimori Could Boost Investor Confidence 
Oil Prices Steady as U.S.-Iran Talks Ease Supply Fears Ahead of Holiday Weekend 
Goldman Sachs Says China Competition Weighs More on EU Growth Than Trade Deficit 
Denmark Central Bank Intervenes to Support Krone Peg Against Euro 
South Korea Warns Won Is Undervalued, Boosts FX Coordination With Japan 
Wall Street Ends Mixed as Weak Jobs Data Lowers Fed Rate Hike Bets, Chip Stocks Tumble 
Gold Price Holds Above $4,000 as Fed Rate Hike Expectations and U.S. Jobs Data Weigh on Market 
UK House Prices Hold Steady in June as Annual Growth Misses Forecasts 
Turkey Vehicle Sales Fall 11.4% in June as Auto Market Weakens 
Asian Stocks Slide as Chip Shares Tumble Ahead of Key U.S. Jobs Report 
US Stock Futures Hold Steady Ahead of June Jobs Report as Fed Rate Outlook Remains in Focus 
New Zealand consumer confidence improved in June as inflation expectations declined, signaling a gradual recovery in household sentiment despite overall optimism remaining below pre-oil price spike levels, according to the latest ANZ-Roy Morgan survey released on Friday.
The ANZ-Roy Morgan Consumer Confidence Index climbed to 91.3 in June, up from 86.5 in May. While the increase reflects growing confidence among consumers, the index remains 16 points below the peak recorded in January. A reading above 100 indicates that optimists outnumber pessimists, while a score below 100 suggests consumers remain generally cautious about the economic outlook.
The survey showed that easing two-year inflation expectations played a key role in boosting sentiment. Inflation expectations have now moved closer to the levels seen in January before rising oil prices pushed inflation concerns higher. Lower inflation expectations often improve consumer outlook by reducing concerns about future living costs and supporting household spending confidence.
ANZ-Roy Morgan noted that consumer sentiment has recovered nearly half of the decline experienced earlier this year. Both the index measuring current economic conditions and the forward-looking expectations index have improved significantly and now sit 11 points above their recent lows, indicating that households are becoming less pessimistic about New Zealand’s economic prospects.
Although confidence remains below the neutral 100 mark, the latest data suggest that New Zealand consumers are gradually regaining confidence as inflation pressures ease and economic uncertainty moderates. The rebound could provide support for consumer spending if the positive trend continues in the coming months.
Economists and policymakers will continue monitoring consumer confidence closely, as stronger household sentiment can influence retail spending, business activity, and the broader New Zealand economy. Future movements in inflation, interest rates, and global energy prices are expected to remain key factors shaping consumer confidence throughout the rest of the year.
