Hispanics' Consumer Confidence Increases During Second Quarter of 2020 Despite Persistence of COVID-19

BOCA RATON, Fla., July 16, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Consumer confidence among Hispanics in the United States edged higher in the second quarter, even as it became clear that the coronavirus pandemic would not be a temporary disruption.

The Hispanic Consumer Sentiment Index increased to 82.8 from 81.3 in the first quarter, according to the Florida Atlantic University Business and Economics Polling Initiative (FAU BEPI) in FAU's College of Business. The index is higher than the general population's consumer confidence sentiment in June of 78.1, as published by the University of Michigan.  

Hispanics' consumer confidence weakened at the end of 2019 as concerns grew that the longest economic expansion in history was due to end. But confidence plummeted in the first quarter of 2020 after the first cases of COVID-19 in the U.S. led to a sweeping shutdown of non-essential businesses and millions of job losses.

"Perhaps what has contributed to the second quarter optimism is the reopening of the economy, low interest rates and deep discounting by businesses desperate to increase sales," said Monica Escaleras, Ph.D., director of FAU BEPI.

In the second quarter of 2020, fewer Hispanics said they are better off financially than a year ago, but 71 percent said they are more optimistic of their future financial situation, compared with 58 percent who felt that way in the first quarter of 2020.

As for the country's economic outlook, 46 percent of respondents said they expect good business conditions in the upcoming year, up from 34 percent in the first quarter. Also, 60 percent of respondents are confident in the long-run economic outlook, compared to 57 percent in the first quarter. Hispanics who self-identified as Republicans (70 percent) are more optimistic in the long-run economic outlook of the country than Democrats, Independents and non-registered voters.

Despite the better mood overall, fewer Hispanics in the second quarter (42 percent) believe it is a good time to buy a big-ticket item compared to the first quarter (53 percent).

With consumer confidence increasing, fewer Hispanics disapproved of U.S. President Donald Trump's performance compared to the first quarter. His disapproval rating fell 5 percentage points, to 49 percent from 56 percent.

The poll is based on a sampling of 741 Hispanics, 18 years of age and older, from March 1 to June 30. The margin of error is +/- 3.60 percentage points.

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SOURCE Florida Atlantic University Business and Economics Polling Initiative