(Reporting by Renju Jose in Sydney; Editing by Shri Navaratnam)
Messaging: @renjujose)) (Adds economist view on June rate review in paragraphs 6-7)
SYDNEY, May 16 (Reuters) - A measure of Australian
consumer sentiment fell in May after a surprise hike in
interest rates by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) and a
"mildly disappointing" federal budget clouded the outlook for
family finances and the economy.
The Westpac-Melbourne Institute index of consumer sentiment
out on Tuesday slid 7.9% in May from April, with the index
falling to just above the levels seen in March, which recorded
the lowest monthly reading since the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020.
"The two key developments over the last month have been the
surprise decision by the Reserve Bank Board to lift the cash
rate by a further 0.25% in May and the Federal Budget," Westpac
chief economist Bill Evans said.
The index reading of 79.0 for May meant pessimists far
outnumbered optimists.
The RBA earlier this month stunned markets with a rate rise
rather than an extended pause as was widely expected by traders,
saying inflation - sitting at near 30-year highs - was way too
high and even higher rates might be needed to bring it to heel.
But Evans expects the RBA to leave rates on hold in June as
it awaits more data on inflation and the economy.
"Our central view is that the weakness in the economy
coupled with clear progress towards the (RBA's) inflation target
will see the current level of the cash rate hold as the peak,
but the risks remain evenly balanced," Evans said.
Australia's Labor government last week boasted the first
budget surplus in 15 years, as strong jobs growth and bumper
mining profits swelled its coffers, but it also announced
billions in cost-of-living relief.
Some consumers may have had "unrealistic expectations" going
into the budget with many expecting more support, Evans said.
Higher living costs meant consumers were holding off on
buying a major household item, with the index dipping 0.4%.
Confidence in the outlook for house prices has surged, with
the index up 10.7%, hitting the highest level since February
2022, while 70% of consumers expect mortgage rates to rise over
the next 12 months.
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