Ipsos/RBC Consumer Outlook Index: April 2013

Washington, D.C. - Consumers appear to feel they have avoided the `doom and gloom' promised last month with the onset of sequester; three in five (61%) feel sequester has had a small impact, no impact at all, or an uncertain impact on the economy. This sense of relief, paired with increasing optimism about the housing market and one's personal finances, finds the April RBC Consumer Outlook Index at the second-highest figure recorded since October 2007. The RBC Investment Index and RBC Current Conditions Index also post very impressive growth, both now at their highest scores since 2007.

The overall RBC Consumer Outlook Index sits at 50.3, an improvement of 3.2 points since last month.

• The RBC Investment Index -- which now stands at 46.2, up from 40.9 -- displays strong growth and has not been this high since November 2007.
• The RBC Current Conditions Index posts a large increase of 5.4 points to 42.5, and is at its highest rating since December 2007.
• RBC Expectations Index also posts solid growth, up by 2 points from last month's score of 54.8 to stand at 56.8.
• The RBC Inflation Index has receded somewhat from its all-time high last month, down 1.6 points to 78.8.
• The RBC Jobs Index shows no change, dropping 0.2 to 55.1.

These are findings of an Ipsos online poll conducted March 28-April 1, 2013. For this survey, a national sample of 1,007 adults from Ipsos' U.S. online panel was interviewed online. Weighting then was employed to balance demographics and ensure that the sample's composition reflects that of the U.S. adult population according to Census data and to provide results intended to approximate the sample universe. Statistical margins of error are not applicable to online polls because they are based on samples drawn from opt-in online panels, not on random samples that mirror the population within a statistical probability ratio. All sample surveys and polls may be subject to other sources of error, including, but not limited to coverage error, and measurement error.

More data and full technical details are available in the topline document attached.

For more information on this news release please contact:

Julia Clark Vice President Ipsos Public Affairs 202.463.3623 [email protected]

About Ipsos Public Affairs

Ipsos Public Affairs is a non-partisan, objective, survey-based research practice made up of seasoned professionals. We conduct strategic research initiatives for a diverse number of American and international organizations, based not only on public opinion research, but elite stakeholder, corporate, and media opinion research.

Ipsos has media partnerships with the most prestigious news organizations around the world. In the U.S., UK and internationally, Ipsos Public Affairs is the media polling supplier to Reuters News, the world's leading source of intelligent information for businesses and professionals, and the Hispanic polling partner of Telemundo Communications Group, a division of NBC Universal providing Spanish-language content to U.S. Hispanics and audiences around the world.

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About Ipsos

Ipsos is an independent market research company controlled and managed by research professionals. Founded in France in 1975, Ipsos has grown into a worldwide research group with a strong presence in all key markets. In October 2011 Ipsos completed the acquisition of Synovate. The combination forms the world's third largest market research company.

With offices in 85 countries, Ipsos delivers insightful expertise across six research specializations: advertising, customer loyalty, marketing, media, public affairs research, and survey management.

Ipsos researchers assess market potential and interpret market trends. They develop and build brands. They help clients build long-term relationships with their customers. They test advertising and study audience responses to various media and they measure public opinion around the globe.

Ipsos has been listed on the Paris Stock Exchange since 1999 and generated global revenues of e1,789 billion (2.300 billion USD) in 2012.