Atlantic Consumer Confidence
According to the Conference Board of Canada, consumer confidence in the Atlantic region shot higher again in March 2024.
Concerning job prospects over the next six months, the number of respondents expressing optimism over the near future of job prospects trended higher in March, as the number of respondents expecting stability regarding the future of the job market moved up. This coincided with a drop in the number of respondents expecting fewer job opportunities or who were unsure.
Regarding expectations for their household budget over the next six months, the number of respondents expressing stability over the future of their financial position has moved higher from its historically elevated levels while the number of respondents who were unsure or pessimistic fell. The number of those expressing optimism has also trended higher in recent months but moved sideways in March.
Sentiment about making major purchases, like a home or a car, remains at historically subdued levels but improved in March. The overall percentage of consumers who thought it was a bad time to make a major purchase fell again in March, as the number of those expressing optimism rose.
Note: Based on 3-month moving averages.
