UK Consumer Confidence dips. Australia Retail Sales up, Job Vacancies Increase.

January 9, 2008 - Forex Economic News

UK consumer confidence declined in December in a survey released by Nationwide today. The survey results showed that the Nationwide Consumer Confidence Index declined 1 point to 85 in December after a fall of 12 points in November. The score of 85 is the lowest registered since February of 2007 and indicates a fair consumer outlook on the index. The Nationwide Present situation index also fell by 3 points to 88 while 42 percent of UK consumers feel the economy will be worse in six months. The weak consumer sentiment is being propelled by a softening housing market and rising prices in oil and food.

Australian retail sales up. Job Vacancies increase.

Australia's Bureau of Statistics released data today on retail sales and job vacancies for November. The report on retail sales showed an increase of a seasonally adjusted 0.8 percent in November. This follows seasonal adjusted increases in retail sales of 0.3 percent in October and an increase of 0.7 percent in September. November's 0.8 percent increase brought the total retail sales to $20.067 billion. Meanwhile, Australian job vacancies increased from August to November by 4.2 percent to a total of 181,800 workers. Job vacancies in the public sector increased from August to November by 4.0 percent to a total of 18,900 workers while vacancies in the private sector rose from August to November by 4.2 percent to a total of 162,900 workers.

Tags: UK Consumer Confidence, Australian Retail Sales, Job Vacancies--- Blog index