It is ironic that the article
following this one is headed “Victoria In Recession” but such is the volatility
of these times that conflicting information is common. This months consumer sentiment
figures are certainly encouraging.
Westpac released figures this week that show the
fifth consecutive positive reading with the March index recording 110.5 after 108.3 in
February. Westpac’s Chief Economist, Bill Evans said - “Consumers
would have been buoyed by the positive run on markets. The sharemarket
continued its strong start to the year, rising a further 3% between the
February and March surveys to be up 10 per cent for the year and 20 per cent
from its September low. Gains have been impressive offshore as well with the
Dow Jones up 10% so far in 2013, reaching a new record high,”
