Ipsos/RBC Consumer Outlook Index: September 2014

Washington, DC - September's RBC Consumer Outlook Index continues its slow upward movement, up about 1.0 point from August, however the overall impression of stability in confidence continues. Since January of this year, the overall index score has consistently stayed between 50 and 52 points with this month marking the high point for the year.

The overall RBC Consumer Outlook Index shows overall confidence at 51.5, up 1 point from last month.

• The RBC Jobs Index is up this month with a score of 63.1. However, this is driven mostly by fewer reports of job loss in the last 6 months and its too early to call it a definitive trend.
• The RBC Investment Index goes down back to March levels of 45.0; down 1.3 points this month from August's score of 46.3.
• The RBC Current Conditions Index is virtually stable this month, after the upward movement registered in August.
• The RBC Expectations Index is down marginally from last month with a score of 59.4.
• The RBC Inflation Index has dropped again this month. The current score of 76.9 is the lowest score we've seen since March of this year.

These are findings of an Ipsos online poll conducted August 29-September 2, 2014. For this survey, a national sample of 1,004 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.

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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