Source Westpac Banking Corporation (latest release)
Measures Change in the level of a diffusion index based on surveyed consumers;
Usual Effect Actual > Forecast = Good for currency;
Frequency Released monthly, on the second or third Wednesday of the current month;
Next Release Feb 12, 2015
Why Traders
Care Financial confidence is a leading indicator of consumer spending, which accounts for a majority of overall economic activity;
Derived Via Survey of about 1,200 consumers which asks respondents to rate the relative level of past and future economic conditions, employment, and climate for major purchases;
Also Called Westpac-Melbourne Institute Consumer Sentiment;