Urban consumer sentiments optimistic amid economic turnarounds

Reserve Bank published findings from the September 2026 installment of its bi-monthly urban consumer confidence survey (UCCS). The survey gauges households' present assessments (relative to a year prior) and one-year-ahead projections concerning the general economic environment, employment trends, the aggregate price level, household income, and expenditure. Assessments of household confidence for the current period saw a slight decline, with the Current Situation Index (CSI) registering 87.9, down from 88.3 in the prior survey. Consumer expectations for the coming year remained positive, though with a minor reduction in the Future Expectations Index (FEI). Consumer sentiment indicates optimism regarding income and spending, balanced against some reservations concerning the economic situation, employment, and prices in the future.