Consumer Confidence

National Consumer Confidence

Consumer Confidence Charts

National consumer confidence ticked up for the fourth consecutive month in March 2024, halting a string of monthly declines that started in May 2023 according to the Conference Board of Canada’s survey-based index of consumer confidence. While up from four months ago, national consumer confidence is still recovering from one of its lowest levels on record.

Concerning job prospects over the next six months, the number of respondents expecting stability ticked higher in March. The number of respondents expecting a decline in job opportunities moved lower as the number of those unsure also fell in March.

Regarding expectations for their household budget over the next six months, the number of respondents expecting stability ticked higher from the previous month in March. The number of respondents expressing pessimism over their future financial situation fell while those who expressed optimism moved higher.

Sentiment about making major purchases, like a home or a car, remains at historically subdued levels across the country but improved slightly in March. The overall percentage of respondents who thought it was a good time to make a major purchase was at one of its lowest levels on record but moved higher in March, as the number of those who were uncertain moved lower.

Note: Based on 3-month moving averages.