Australia household spending rises modestly in September, consumer demand patchy

Pedestrians walk past the Reserve Bank of Australia building in central Sydney. — Reuters

SYDNEY: Australian household spending edged higher in September as gains in food, health, and petrol were offset by drops in air travel and accommodation, suggesting only a patchy recovery in consumer demand.

Monday's data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed its monthly household spending indicator (MHSI) rose 0.2% in September, after a flat result in August.