A recent poll from the Florida Atlantic University Business and Economic Polling Initiative (FAU BEPI) has shown that Hispanics are feeling more optimistic about their finances and the economy. The Hispanic Consumer Sentiment Index (HCSI) increased to 85.3 in the first quarter of the year, up from 76.3 in the previous quarter.
The increase in optimism was seen across all five questions used to generate the HCSI. Specifically, 59 percent of Hispanics indicated that they were better off financially now compared to a year ago, which is an increase from 48 percent in the previous quarter. Additionally, 71 percent of Hispanics feel that they will be better off financially in the next year, compared to 68 percent in the previous quarter. In terms of the short-term economic outlook, 54 percent of Hispanics believe that the country will have good business conditions in the year ahead, up from 49 percent.
Looking at the long-run economic outlook, 58 percent of Hispanics are feeling optimistic, up from 49 percent in the previous quarter. The survey also showed an increase in the number of Hispanics who believe it is a good time to purchase major household items, with 41 percent feeling positive about making big purchases compared to 38 percent in the previous quarter.
Monica Escaleras, Ph.D., director of BEPI in the College of Business at FAU commented on these findings stating “Despite recent inflation concerns, Hispanics are increasingly positive about their personal finances due to declining unemployment rates among this demographic.” The survey was conducted between January 1st and March 31st among a sample of over two thousand Hispanic adults with a margin of error plus or minus four percentage points. Data was collected via landlines through IVR as well as online using Dynata and results were weighted based on education level, gender age and income distribution within national population segments for comparison purposes only
