Ipsos/RBC Consumer Outlook Index: January 2014

Washington, D.C. - January's RBC Consumer Outlook Index shows widespread improvement in confidence and a more optimistic outlook about the economy. The damaging impact of the government shutdown appears to have receded from consumer confidence with a 1.8 point rise in the RBC Consumer Outlook Index in the last month and a 4.5 point improvement since November.

The overall RBC Consumer Outlook Index stands at 51.5 - the strongest mark since June 2013.

• The RBC Current Conditions Index shows strong improvement, up 3.3 points, to stand at 41.6 this month, the largest increase we see this month.
• The RBC Jobs Index, also shows continued improvement, rising to 61.9. This is the strongest jobs score since before the Great Recession (October 2007).
• The RBC Investment Index also shows strong positive movement this month, up 3.2 points from 41.5 to 44.7.
• The lone dark spot this month is the RBC Expectations Index which shows a mild decrease this month of 1.1 points.
• The RBC Inflation Index continues to hold relatively steadily, rising only 0.2 points in January. This is the fourth consecutive month with relatively mild inflation pressures.

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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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.

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