FX.co ★ Australian Consumer Sentiment Inches Higher in August, PCSI Rises to 48.79

Australia’s Thomson Reuters IPSOS Primary Consumer Sentiment Index (PCSI) ticked higher in August 2026, signaling a modest improvement in consumer confidence. The index rose to 48.79, up from 48.18 in July 2026 on a month-over-month basis.

While the reading remains just below the neutral 50-point threshold often seen as the dividing line between pessimism and optimism, the latest data suggest sentiment is gradually stabilizing after recent softness. The month-over-month comparison reflects a slight strengthening of consumer outlook in August versus July, following the previous month’s move from an earlier, lower base.

The figures, updated on 14 August 2026, continue to track how Australian consumers perceive their current and future financial conditions, economic expectations, and investment climate. The latest uptick, though modest, will be watched closely by markets and policymakers for signs of a more sustained rebound in household confidence.