News

Consumer stress in New Zealand has fallen to its lowest level since the beginning of 2012 as the economy's ongoing expansion continues to boost the financial position of Kiwis and strengthen their capacity to borrow and spend.

Despite interest rates rising, Dun & Bradstreet's Consumer Financial Stress Index has found that stress levels improved during the first quarter of the year to reach -5.6 points in March, down from 7.5 points a year earlier. An index reading below zero indicates that lower financial stress exists among consumers.

Increasingly healthy economic conditions in New Zealand have seen the stress index, which reflects consumer credit activity, demand, capacity and confidence, fall ahead of its mid-year forecast, suggesting that Kiwis will continue to see their financial position strengthen throughout 2014.

Read more: http://dnb.co.nz/Header/News/Consumer_stress_drops_to_two_year_low/indexdl_10844.aspx