Forex Flash: Australia consumer sentiment disappointing in January – TD Securities

FXstreet.com (Barcelona) - The Westpac/MI consumer sentiment index rose a timid 0.6% in January, from 100.0 to 100.6, which was considered as quite disappointing "in view of the much improved global economic outlook and the solid rally in equity markets to date", according to TD Securities analysts. "We note that the survey does not capture the monthly jobs report and the RBA does not meet in January", wrote analyst Alvin Pontoh, adding that purchasing intentions were solid but expectations about the economic outlook remained downbeat. Car sales increased 2.2% in December (MoM), totalling an annualized +17.9% rise.