Prairies 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.
According to the Conference Board of Canada, consumer confidence in the Prairies fell in April 2024.
Concerning job prospects over the next six months, the number of respondents expecting stability remained elevated but ticked lower in April. The number of respondents who expressed pessimism rose sharply in April while those who were optimistic or unsure about future job prospects both trended lower.
Regarding expectations for their household budget over the next six months, the number of respondents expecting stability or improving conditions in their household finances ticked lower compared to the previous month while the number of respondents expecting conditions to deteriorate rose.
Sentiment about making major purchases, like a home or a car, remains at historically subdued levels. The overall percentage of consumers who were uncertain as to whether it was a good or bad time to make a major purchase moved lower in April compared to the previous month as the number of those who thought it was a good time to do so trended up from record low levels.
Note: Based on 3-month moving averages.
