Consumer Confidence Rises Amid Middle East Calm | Auckland News

Auckland News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Jul 31, 2026 · 1m

Consumer confidence surges to its highest level since February, fueled by Middle East calm and falling gas prices—though tensions briefly dented July’s gains. More households feel financially better than last year, and fewer see it as a bad time to buy big-ticket items. Inflation expectations remain steady, with prices expected to ease toward the Reserve Bank’s target by mid-next year, while home price forecasts have dipped slightly. Businesses watch closely: will this fragile optimism hold—or will uncertainty still pinch wallets? Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow…