August 2023 Refinitiv/Ipsos Primary Consumer Sentiment Index

Washington DC, August 18, 2023--The Refinitiv/Ipsos Primary Consumer Sentiment Index for August 2023 is at 52.2. Fielded from July 21 - August 4, 2023, the Index has declined by 2.2 points since last month.

As it has for much of 2023, the index continues to remain volatile. Since March, the index has not shown an increase or decrease in consecutive months. However, the index sits two points above its reading to begin 2023 (50.2) and around one point above its reading from this time last year (51.2).

All four sub-indices show significant losses this month. The Current and Investment indices declined by around three points, while the Expectations and Jobs indices are down by more than a point.

The Current Index reads at 42.7, down 2.8 points from last month. The index declined after reaching its highest point of the year in July. Despite this month's decline, the Current Index sits 3.9 points higher than its reading to begin the year (38.7) and 2.3 points higher than its August 2022 reading (40.3).

The Expectations Index reads at 59.3, down 1.2 points from July. The index has fallen back below the 60-point mark, after rising above that mark for just the second time in the sixteen months last month. The Expectations Index is in line with its reading from this time last year (59.0).

The Investment Index is at 44.0, declining by 3.3 points since last month and showing the largest decline of the sub-indices. Despite this month's fall, the Investment Index remains 3 points above its January 2023 reading (41.0) and 2.4 points above its August 2022 reading (41.6).

The Jobs Index reads at 65.2, down 1.6 points since last month. While the index sits 0.8 point below it's reading from this time last year (66.0), it does remain 0.8 point above its January reading (64.5).

About the Study

These findings are based on data from a monthly 29-country survey conducted by Ipsos on its Global Advisor online survey platform and, in India, on its IndiaBus platform. They are first reported each month by Refinitiv as the Primary Consumer Sentiment Index (PCSI).

This survey was fielded between July 21 and August 4, 2023. The sample includes 1,000 Americans aged 18-74.

The data is weighted so that the composition of the sample in each country best reflects the demographic profile of the adult population according to the most recent census data.

The Refinitiv/Ipsos Primary Consumer Sentiment Index (PCSI), ongoing since 2010, is a monthly survey of consumer attitudes on the current and future state of their local economy, personal financial situation, savings, and confidence to make major investments. The PCSI metrics reported each month for each of the countries surveyed consist of a “Primary Index” based on all 10 questions below and of several “sub-indices” each based on a subset of these 10 questions.

About Ipsos

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Our passionately curious research professionals, analysts and scientists have built unique multi-specialist capabilities that provide true understanding and powerful insights into the actions, opinions and motivations of citizens, consumers, patients, customers or employees. We serve more than 5000 clients across the world with 75 business solutions.

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