Consumer confidence has extended a “remarkable run of stability” through to October as optimists still slightly outweigh pessimists, according to the latest consumer survey. The October Westpac-Melbourne Institute consumer sentiment index rose from September’s reading of 101.4 to 102.4. Any reading above 100 indicates the number of consumers who are optimistic is more than the number of consumers who are pessimistic. Westpac’s chief economist Bill Evans pointed to one segment...