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The ANZ-Roy Morgan Consumer Confidence Index eased to 98.0 in August 2026, remaining below the neutral 100 mark but 18 points higher than its April low. The share of households seeing it as a good time to buy a major household item, a key retail indicator, fell 5 points to -12, suggesting that retail remains a tough gig. Two-year inflation expectations were little changed at 4.7%, while house price expectations edged down to 2.5% from 2.6%. The future conditions index rose marginally to 107.7 from 106.5, moving above the neutral 100 mark for the second straight month, while the current conditions index declined to 83.4 from 88.5. Assessments of current personal finances also dropped (-21% vs -16%). Economic expectations for the year ahead improved slightly, from -13% to -12%, while the five-year outlook rose 1 point to +13%. However, a net 22% of respondents expected to be better off this time next year, the strongest figure since January.

New Zealand Consumer Morale Weakens in August

Coal prices rallied to around $145 per ton in early September, reaching their highest levels in eleven weeks amid robust global energy demand and persistent supply risks. The fossil fuel also advanced despite China reporting that solar power had become the country’s single largest source of electricity capacity, surpassing coal-fired power for the first time amid its push toward renewable energy. Still, coal remains the world’s largest source of power generation, producing nearly 11,000 TWh in 2026, while surging electricity demand is slowing efforts to replace the fuel with renewable energy. The IEA also expects coal to remain the largest single source of power generation through 2030, with no individual alternative expected to come close to replacing it. The prolonged conflict in the Middle East, which has tightened global LNG supplies and driven energy prices higher, further strengthened the outlook for coal demand.

Coal Hits 11-Week High

US natural gas prices rose to $2.94/MMBtu, reaching their highest level in nearly eight weeks, as hot weather persisted and LNG export activity strengthened. Forecasts indicate that temperatures will remain mostly above normal across the central US through mid-September, likely keeping demand for gas-fired power generation elevated. At the same time, average gas flows to the nine major LNG export plants rose to 18.3 bcfd in early September, up from 17.2 bcfd in August, as Cheniere Energy’s Corpus Christi facility and Freeport LNG in Texas returned to full operations following maintenance. Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Edouard made landfall near the Texas-Louisiana border, although no significant operational disruptions were reported at LNG facilities in the region so far. On the supply side, production in the Lower 48 states averaged a record 111.5 bcfd in August, up from 110.7 bcfd in July, keeping the market well supplied and limiting the upside for prices.

US Natural Gas Prices Rise

Copper fell toward $6.4 per pound on Wednesday, hitting its lowest level in a month as rising oil prices and global bond yields kept inflationary risks and interest rate concerns in focus, weighing on the demand outlook. Oil prices advanced for a third consecutive session amid escalating hostilities between the US and Iran, complicating efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Global bond yields climbed on mounting inflationary pressures and worsening fiscal conditions, reinforcing expectations that major central banks may need to raise interest rates soon. Higher borrowing costs could eventually slow global economic growth, dampening demand for industrial metals such as copper. Still, tight global copper supply offered some support, with top producer Chile reporting a 9.4% decline in output in July. Traders also continued redirecting copper shipments toward the US ahead of potential new import tariffs, with the White House yet to make a decision on the issue.

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