Chart of the week: America’s plastic surgery boom

Bespoke Investment's Consumer Pulse report contains an unusual confidence index. Since its inception four years ago, the survey has been asking its respondents whether they have recently "had work done". Because health insurers rarely pay for cosmetic surgery, the higher the percentage opting for it, the more confident citizens are about their financial situation.

The proportion saying they have had recent surgery took off after Donald Trump's election and has risen especially quickly since the government's tax cut was implemented. It reached a new peak of 3.26% last month. After the huge fall in corporation tax, America's CEOs may exhibit some remarkably smooth faces and dazzling smiles next earnings season.

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