Alberta Consumer Confidence
According to the Conference Board of Canada, consumer confidence in the Prairies recorded a decrease compared to the previous month in April 2019.
Sentiment about job market prospects deteriorated sharply early in 2015 and has remained weak ever since. The number of respondents expecting stability as well as those expecting better conditions rose as those expressing uncertainty moved in the opposite direction.
Most consumers in the Prairie region expect their household budgets will remain stable over the next six months. April saw a slight uptick in the number of respondents expecting an improvement in their finances and a decrease in those expecting deterioration.
Sentiment about making a major purchase, such as a home or a car, was down in April. More respondents expressed pessimism, gaining numbers from fewer respondents expressing optimism. Overall sentiment regarding making large purchases are still negative. Given the importance of consumer psychology to home purchases, this important factor is likely to continue weighing on housing market prospects.
