Ipsos/RBC Consumer Outlook Index: March 2014

Washington, D.C. - March's RBC Consumer Outlook Index shows a return to previous trends after a temporary drop in February. The stability in the overall index reflects trends seen elsewhere in the consumer data. Specifically, employment confidence is at the highest point on record, after taking a brief dip last month due to seasonal holiday employment ending. Consumers still report stable, if not strong, local economies and personal finances.

The overall RBC Consumer Outlook Index stands at 51.8, up 1.4 points from last month.

• The RBC Jobs Index is the biggest mover this month, up 4.2 points from last month's mark to stand at 62.5. This uptick returns the Jobs Index to its previous upward trend witnessed since December of last year.
• The RBC Current Conditions Index shows little movement, up 0.4 points to 41.4. Most of this is driven by the influence of employment security on current conditions.
• The RBC Investment Index remains relatively stable over the last several months, ending at 45.0.
• The RBC Expectations Index also shows nearly a one point uptick, resting at 58.7.
• The RBC Inflation Index jumps two points in March. This is the largest month-to-month movement that we have seen since fall of 2013.

These are findings of an Ipsos online poll conducted February 27-28, 2014. For this survey, a national sample of 1,035 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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