Australia’s consumer sentiment slides in December on renewed angst over inflation, rate

[SYDNEY] Australia’s consumer sentiment slid in December after turning positive for the first time the previous month, as households grappled with renewed angst over inflation and the interest rate outlook, a private survey showed on Tuesday.

A Westpac-Melbourne Institute survey showed its main index of consumer sentiment fell 9 per cent to 94.5 in December, after surging 12.8 pre cent the month before. The reading dropped back below 100, suggesting pessimists outnumbered optimists. REUTERS