Ipsos/RBC Consumer Outlook Index: December 2011

Washington, D.C. - The RBC Consumer Outlook Index indicates that American consumer confidence is up slightly, but remains very low. The RBC COI for December stands at 40.3 for December, up 0.7 points from last week, but well below this year's high of 46.7 set in June or the index's absolute high of 57.7 set in early 2007. Looking back over the last year, it is clear now that consumer confidence was improving through June. However after June, consumer confidence dropped and has not recovered. Our opinion is the political deadlock surrounding the debt ceiling crisis combined with the ongoing EU financial crisis is the key driver of consumers' diminished faith in the economy.

These are some of the findings of an Ipsos online poll conducted November 21-November 23, 2011. For this survey, a national sample of 1019 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, Public Sector Practice Ipsos Public Affairs 202.420.2011 [email protected]

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