Kiwis are feeling less stressed about money in the lead-up to Christmas, with positive job figures and low interest rates boosting the country’s confidence. Dun & Bradstreet’s consumer financial stress index continued its fall to minus 4.8 points last month. A score above zero indicates increased stress, while a score below zero indicates lower stress. Although stress levels have not yet eased to the lows of early 2011 at minus 14, D&B expects the index to drop further this year. The index is calculated from the credit agency’s database of information on consumers and companies. It said low interest rates had been amplified by improved business confidence, jobs growth, house prices and a strong exchange rate. That meant consumers had found it easier to repay debt and, more recently, spend money with confidence.
© Fairfax NZ News
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