Ipsos/RBC Consumer Outlook Index: March 2013

Washington, D.C. - With the arrival of the sequester, consumer outlook has dropped notably. The March RBC COI fieldwork period bracketed the start of sequester, and so this month's data captures a strong sense of public pessimism about the economy. The March RBC Consumer Outlook Index shows a marked decline, and this carries over across most sub-indices (with Jobs the only sub-index that is holding steady). The improved economic outlook evident in the first two months of 2013 appears to have been wiped out by rising gas prices and the failure of the government to avoid sequestration.

The overall RBC Consumer Outlook Index sees consumer confidence down 2.4 points to 47.1.

• The RBC Investment Index shows a very large drop of 4.3 points, to 40.9.
• The RBC Current Conditions Index posts the same large decline of 4.3 points to 37.1. The measure was last this low in July 2012 when the continuing resolution was passed.
• The RBC Expectations Index also shows significant decline, down 3.2 points to 54.8.
• The RBC Inflation Index is at an all-time high, up 4.0 points to 80.4. This is the highest recorded score for this measure since tracking on this began in December 2010.
• The RBC Jobs Index saw decline last month, but this month shows no change, remaining steady on 55.3.

These are some of the findings of an Ipsos online poll conducted February 28- March 3, 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]

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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 84 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 e1,363 billion (1.897 billion USD) in 2011.