U.S. consumer confidence heats up again in March, according to RBC Index

NEW YORK, March 4 /CNW/ - Consumer confidence levels rallied this month after taking a tumble in February, according to the RBC CASH (Consumer Attitudes and Spending by Household) Index. Buoyed by consumers' upbeat evaluations of their current economic condition and their positive outlook for the job market, the RBC Index for March stands at 58.2, an 18.8 point increase from February's 39.4 reading.

"The volatile results of the RBC Index in recent months underscore just how fragile consumer confidence has been since the recession began," said RBC Capital Markets U.S. economist Tom Porcelli. "In spite of statistical indicators showing that the recession is over, many consumers do not yet see evidence of a strong recovery in their own lives and are unsure of what to believe. We are unlikely to see a consistent upward trend until consumers are convinced that a solid recovery is in place."

The RBC Index is a monthly national survey of consumer attitudes on the current and future state of local economies, personal finance situations, savings and confidence to make large investments. The Index is composed of four sub-indices: RBC Current Conditions Index; RBC Expectations Index; RBC Investment Index; and, RBC Jobs Index. The Index is benchmarked to a baseline of 100 assigned at its introduction in January 2002. This month's findings are based on a representative nationwide sample of 1,000 U.S. adults polled from February 26 - March 1, 2010, by survey-based research company Ipsos Public Affairs. The margin of error was +/-3.1 per cent.

Highlights of the survey results include:

    
    -   Americans' attitudes about current conditions soared in March,
        increasing 26.2 points and bringing the RBC Current Conditions Index
        to 56.7, the highest level since May 2008. Consumers reported renewed
        optimism in their personal financial situation and their purchasing
        power. The share of consumers who say that their personal financial
        situation is strong, rose to 25 per cent this month, compared to
        21 per cent in February.

    -   The RBC Investment Index increased sharply this month, climbing
        24.3 points to 65.1 - the highest mark for the Index since
        January 2008. The increase in investment confidence stems from
        respondents' diminished fears about their ability to save and
        improved personal financial considerations. Americans who report they
        feel less confident in their ability to make investments for the
        future dropped to 52 per cent, down from 57 per cent in February.

    -   The RBC Jobs Index also rallied in March, increasing 13.3 points to
        68.2, the strongest reading for the Index since November 2008.
        Americans reporting personal job losses declined significantly, with
        61 per cent saying that they or someone they know have lost their job
        as the result of economic conditions (compared to 67 per cent in
        February). Perceptions of job security also improved this month, with
        32 per cent of consumers reporting more confidence in their job
        security compared to six months ago (versus February's 28 per cent).

    -   While significantly brighter than a year ago when the RBC
        Expectations Index was in negative territory, consumers' near-term
        economic outlook continues to be volatile, showing a small upswing in
        March following considerable changes in January and February. The
        Index currently stands at 57.3, up 9.3 points from February's level
        of 48.0. Currently, one-in-10 consumers (10 per cent) say their
        personal finances will be weaker in six months, compared to
        13 per cent in February, and one-third (33 per cent) believe their
        finances will strengthen in the near future. The share of consumers
        who believe the economy will be weaker six months from now held
        steady at 16 per cent.
    

The RBC Index report can be viewed at: www.rbc.com/newsroom/rbc-cash-index.html.

For further information: Loretta A. Healy, The Hubbell Group, Inc., [phone]; Kait Conetta, RBC, [phone]