Poll: Alberta consumers optimistic

Poll: Alberta consumers optimistic (Alberta Times) Despite soaring gas prices this spring, Arizona consumers remain optimistic about their state's economy. …

Poll: Alberta consumers optimistic (Alberta Times) Despite skyrocketing gas prices this spring, Arizona consumers remain optimistic about their state’s economy. Alberta's consumer confidence index released Monday was about the same as last month, with the index unchanged since January, according to Rocky Mountain Polling Corp. Consumer Confidence Index (CCI) is an indicator that reflects the strength of consumer confidence. It comprehensively reflects and quantifies consumers' evaluation of the current economic situation and subjective feelings about economic prospects, income levels, income expectations and consumer psychology. It is a leading indicator for predicting economic trends and consumption trends, and is an indispensable basis for monitoring changes in the economic cycle. The index consists of consumer satisfaction index and consumer expectation index. The consumer satisfaction index and consumer expectation index are respectively composed of some secondary indicators: satisfaction with income, quality of life, macroeconomics, consumer spending, employment status, purchase of durable consumer goods and savings, and expectations for the next year, as well as expectations for the purchase of housing and decoration, purchase of cars, and changes in the stock market in the next six months in the next two years. The Alberta consumer confidence index fell slightly to 68.5 in April from 69.5 in January, a slight decrease. According to current data, since 2008, the index in January and April every year has been the highest in the whole year. Gas prices in the Phoenix metro area peaked on March 28, when the average price was $3.93 per gallon. However, ASU economists believe that residents' concerns about the instability of oil prices will still have an impact on the CCI in April. The ASU professor predicted gas prices would soar to $5 a gallon this summer. Arizona's job market remains pessimistic. In April, 53% of residents thought it was difficult to find a job, and in January this figure was 56%. The above poll was conducted by Rocky Mountain Polling Company from April 9 to 17, and interviewed 700 state residents.