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Australia consumer confidence jumps to 26-mth high
A measure of Australian consumer confidence surged to its highest in 26 months in February as people become more optimistic about the economy and their own finances, suggesting past interest rates cuts might finally be lifting spirits. The poll of 1,200 people by the Melbourne Institute and Westpac Bank showed its index of consumer sentiment climbed 7.7 percent in February, from January when it edged up 0.6 percent. The index of 108.3 meant there were more optimists than pessimists in the poll. The monthly increase was the sharpest since September 2011 and left the index up 7.2 percent on February last year. ... (full story)