"The dramatic rebound in consumer sentiment this month is as startling as some of the developments in recent weeks," said T.J. Marta, Economic and Fixed Income Strategist for RBC Capital Markets. "The prices of oil and gasoline are down 30 per cent and 12 per cent, respectively, from their peaks in July. The bailouts of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac announced during the polling period represent a sweeping and historic move, which many hope will significantly mitigate the housing correction. In addition, this month's survey occurred immediately after the Republican convention and just a week following the Democratic convention, both of which have generated hope for change in Washington."
Highlights of the survey results include:
- Advancing out of negative territory for the first time in 2008, the RBC Expectations Index rose to 76.3 from its -4.7 reading in August. The shift in the index, which signals a much more optimistic assessment that economic conditions will begin to improve soon, is due largely to an improvement in Americans' expectations for personal finances and their local economy. This month, nearly four in ten consumers (38 per cent) believe their personal financial situation will be stronger six months from now (compared to 29 per cent in August). In addition, one-third of Americans (34 per cent) believe their local economy will be stronger six months from now (compared to 23 per cent last month). Past experience demonstrates that attitudes regarding the future are more volatile and subject to events-based swings. This suggests that the expectations results should be viewed with some degree of caution. However, the strength of the positive shifts in the August and September results reinforce the claim that attitudes are moving toward a more optimistic position.
- The RBC Current Conditions Index improved markedly in September to 55.2, compared to 36.7 in August. Americans' assessments of current local economic conditions rose this month with 14 per cent rating their local economy as strong, compared to 10 per cent last month. In contrast, ratings of current personal finances held steady in September, with one in four consumers (25 per cent) rating their current financial situation as strong, compared to 23 per cent in August.
- Consumers' confidence in the investment climate also climbed this month sending the RBC Investment Index to a reading of 63.8, up from 42.6 in August. Thirty-one per cent of consumers reported they are more confident in their ability to invest, compared to 25 per cent last month. Americans' attitudes regarding both stock and real estate investments also showed slight gains in September. One-third of consumers (33 per cent) believe the next 30 days will be a good time
to invest in the stock market, compared to 28 per cent in August. More than four in ten consumers (44 per cent) believe the next month will be a good time to buy real estate, versus 41 per cent last month.
- Although other facets of the economy are beginning to show improvement, consumers are still somewhat guarded about the job market, as evidenced by the increase in the RBC Jobs Index by only 9.7 points in September to 95.5, compared to 85.8 last month. Americans' confidence regarding overall job security improved this
month, while expectations about personal job loss experience held steady. This month, the share of consumers who say it is likely that someone close to them will lose their job in the next six months held steady at 23 per cent, compare to 25 per cent in August. In addition, 43 per cent of Americans reported job loss in their immediate circle, compared to 41 per cent in August.
