CANADIANS VIEWS ON THE COUNTRY’S ECONOMY AND THEIR PERSONAL FINANCES HAS SLIPPED TO WHERE IT WAS LAST OCTOBER – TIED FOR THEIR LOWEST MEASURE SINCE APRIL 2021.

THAT’S WHEN THE MARU HOUSEHOLD OUTLOOK INDEX BEGAN TRACKING.

THE MARU PUBLIC OPINION MONTHLY MEASURING STICK IS AT 85, WHICH IS IN NEGATIVE/PESSIMISTIC TERRITORY – 15 BELOW THE BASE INDEX OF 100.

THE MOST RECENT HIGH-WATER MARK WAS 107 IN JULY 2021.

SO, WHAT’S DRIVING THE NUMBER DOWN?

—– TWO-THIRDS (66%, UP 2% IN FEBRUARY) BELIEVE THE STATE OF THE ECONOMY IS ON THE WRONG TRACK

—– ONE-IN-TEN (10%, DOWN 3%) THINK THEIR PERSONAL FINANCIAL SITUATION HAS IMPROVED

—– MORE THAN HALF (55%, DOWN 4%) FEEL THEY WILL HAVE ENOUGH PERSONAL/FAMILY INVESTMENTS AND SAVINGS FOR THE FUTURE

—– ABOUT SIX-IN-TEN (62%, DOWN 3%) BELIEVE THEY WILL HAVE MORE THAN TWO-MONTHS OF SAVINGS TO COVER ANY UNEXPECTED COSTS OR NEEDS

—– THREE-IN-TEN (31%, DOWN 4%) SAY THEY WILL INVEST IN THE FINANCIAL MARKETS BECAUSE THEY THINK NOW’S A GOOD TIME TO DO SO

—– ON A POSITIVE NOTE, ONE-IN-TEN (11%, DOWN 4%) BELIEVE THEY WILL LOSE THEIR JOB OR BE LAID OFF