Australians face rising electricity bills, fuel prices and mortgage rates, and the increasing cost of living has been exacting a toll on the economy.
Neither consumers nor businesses are in the mood to borrow in a major way. Veda’s quarterly Consumer Credit Demand Index, released Monday, showed consumer credit demand has dropped 5.1% since March. Business credit growth was flat in July, after having not posted growth for four straight months, St. George Bank economist Janu Chan said. In the year to July, business credit contracted 1.9%. “Lackluster growth in business credit is consistent with softening business confidence, and adds to evidence that certain sectors of the economy are doing it tough,” Ms. Chan said in a note.
via Australia Investor Confidence at Lowest Level Since 2009 – WSJ.com.