Ipsos/RBC Consumer Outlook Index: April 2014

Washington, D.C. - With April's RBC Consumer Outlook Index showing a minor drop in American consumer confidence, it is becoming clear that the past year has seen no real improvement in overall consumer sentiment. Other than last fall's government shutdown-related drop and subsequent recovery, consumer confidence is functionally unchanged over the last year indicating the slow recovery since the recession may have stalled.

The overall RBC Consumer Outlook Index drops to 50.0, down 1.8 points from last month.

• The RBC Jobs Index is again the biggest mover this month, down 5.1 points from last month's mark to stand at 57.4. This move puts us back to the same Jobs Index score observed 12 months ago.
• The RBC Current Conditions Index shows little movement, down 0.9 points to 40.5.
• The RBC Investment Index remains relatively stable over the last several months, at 45.5.
• The RBC Expectations Index also shows very little movement, resting at 58.5.
• The RBC Inflation Index continues to climb, up another 2 points to stand at 80.7. This is the second consecutive month of increased inflation concerns and brings the inflation index back to the high mark observed early last fall.

These are findings of an Ipsos online poll conducted March 28-31, 2014. For this survey, a national sample of 1,005 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:

Chris Jackson Research Director Ipsos Public Affairs 202.420.2011 [email protected]

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