In the US session CB Consumer Sentiment and Pending Home Sales figures were released. Consumer confidence fell in December, a month after hitting a 17-year high, but the level of optimism among Americans this year was the highest since 2000. The index slipped to 122.1 this month from a revised 128.6 in November, the Conference Board said Wednesday. Economists polled by MarketWatch had forecast the index to read 127.5. Americans were a little less confident in their outlook for jobs and business conditions. An index that measures future conditions dipped to 99.1 from 111.
Separate report on Pending Home Sales showed that pending home sales were mostly unmoved in November, but did squeak out a minor gain both on a monthly and annualized basis, according to the National Association of Realtors. The Pending Home Sales Index a forward-looking indicator based on contract signings, rose 0.2 percent to 109.5 in November from 109.3 in October. With last month’s modest increase, the index remains at its highest reading since June (110.0), and is now 0.8 percent above a year ago.
There will be no major data releases from Australia tomorrow. In the US session Unemployment Claims figures will be published. Analysts predict decline to 245,000.
Figures to watch:
Unemployment Claims (Thursday 14:30)
