SYDNEY ― Australian consumer sentiment rose sharply in November for a second straight month, reaching a 2-1/2-year high with the mood on the economy and finances finally turning optimistic, a survey showed on Tuesday.
The Westpac-Melbourne Institute index of consumer sentiment rose 5.3 percent in November from October, when it jumped 6.2 percent. The index reading of 94.6 showed pessimists still outnumbered optimists, but by a narrowing margin.