Ipsos CASH Index Jumps From All-Time CASH Index Low To The Highest Rating In Six Months

Washington, D.C. -- How has partisanship affected the economic outlook of Americans?

The Ipsos National CASH Index (measuring Consumer Attitudes and Spending by Household) stands at 80.8, up more than 19 points since early in March 2003 when the CASH Index was at its lowest point since the Index was inaugurated in January, 2002. The current CASH Index, conducted during the war in Iraq, witnessed the second consecutive increase in 2003 and the largest jump since January 2002.

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The greatest decline in the months prior to March 2003 was derived from one of the broadest measures of consumer attitudes--the state of the local economy in the near future. In early March 2003 concern about the future of the economy was nearly double what it is in the latest CASH Index findings. All other measures included in the CASH Index calculation also gained significant territory since the war in Iraq began.

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A look at confidence in the future of the economy along partisan lines indicates there may be a party identification boost to the current CASH Index rating. Those who approve of President Bush's foreign policy job rating are at least twice as likely to expect the economy in their local area will be stronger than it is currently. The same is true for Republicans (especially male Republican voters) and those who would definitely vote to re-elect President Bush.

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How the Ipsos CASH Index Scores Changed since January 2002

The following chart depicts the net change in the most recent monthly CASH Index rating since January 2002 based on each of the factors used to generate the Index.

Ipsos CASH Index (Ipsos Consumer Attitudes and Spending by Household Index) Index Score Changes Since January 2002 - National Monthly -

View Larger Version Ipsos CASH Index Surveys of consumers are conducted by Ipsos US Public Affairs, the Washington, D.C.-based division of Ipsos, which is the world's second largest polling and market research organization. The Ipsos Consumer Attitudes and Spending by Household (CASH) Index polls are conducted the first and third week of every month, as part of Ipsos Public Affairs weekly omnibus polling service. The Ipsos CASH Index, started in January 2002, is a bimonthly national survey of consumer attitudes on the current and future state of the local economy, personal financial situation and spending, saving and confidence to invest.

For more information about the Ipsos CASH Index or to receive this report on the first and third week of every month, please e-mail [email protected], or contact Ursula Davis at 202-463-7300. For more information on this release, please contact: Thomas Riehle President, Ipsos-Public Affairs Washington, D.C. 202.463.7300