By Rebecca HowardNew Zealand consumer confidence eased in April, weighed by a slowdown in the property market and growing expectations that interest rates will rise. The ANZ-Roy Morgan consumer confidence index decreased to 121.7 from 125.2 in March, still above the average of 118. "A slow-down in the property market, notably in Auckland, is likely to have been a factor. Annual inflation expectations rose to 4 per cent from 2.4 per cent in March, the first time it has hit that level in 17 months. House price inflation expectations for the next two years rose to 5.2 per cent from 4.6 per cent in March.

Source: New Zealand Herald April 21, 2017 01:18 UTC