Poll: April Consumer Confidence rebounds after weak January reading
Read full MPG Trend Monitor Q2-2013
Sharp partisan divide remains, with Democrats more optimistic than Republicans
After a sharp downturn in January, consumer confidence rebounded in the April reading, with the Massachusetts Index of Consumer Sentiment nearing the record high attained in October 2012, according to data released today by The MassINC Polling Group.
The burst of optimism is likely reflective of strong first quarter economic performance in Massachusetts. The Massachusetts economy grew faster in the first quarter than the U.S. economy, according to preliminary reports, which likely partially accounts for the strong reading. More people are now optimistic than pessimistic on each of the 5 component questions of the index. Full results are included in Appendix of the attached MPG Trend Monitor.
“Bay State residents have shaken off some of their first-quarter jitters, and are once again seeing reasons for optimism,” said Steve Koczela, President of The MassINC Polling Group. “A combination of strong economic performance in the state and fewer negative political headlines at the national level appear to have contributed to renewed positive outlook.”
The strong partisan divide in consumer confidence continues, with Bay State Democrats far more optimistic than Republicans. Overall, Democrats have a net positive outlook on each of the component questions, whereas Republicans have a net negative outlook on four of the five. Independents had a net positive outlook but by a much narrower margin than among Democrats.
Other poll data included in the attached Trend Monitor has been previously released:
Overall, 54 percent of respondents think the Commonwealth is heading in the right direction, compared to 32 who think the state is off on the wrong track.
Governor Deval Patrick (61 percent favorable / 23 percent unfavorable) and Senator Elizabeth Warren (50/29) both hold net favorable ratings.
About the Poll: The MassPulse Quarterly Poll is conducted quarterly among representative samples of approximately 500 Massachusetts residents age 18 and older. The poll is conducted in English and Spanish among both cell phone and landline households. This iteration of the survey was conducted from April 23-27 2013. The margin of sampling error is ∓4.4 percent.