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Westpac’s latest consumer sentiment survey has found households have begun the year with a more positive outlook, but confidence remains “depressingly low”.
Westpac Chief Economist Bill Evans says he believes this is essential because interest rates have been rising “for eight consecutive months”.
“We’re expecting another rate hike in February, but we’re getting near the end of the cycle,” he told Englishheadline Australia.
“And as consumers start to appreciate that more clearly, then I think it will support some stronger sentiment as we go through 2023.”
