Confidence in Economy Lifts Affluent Household Outlook

The Spectrem Affluent Household Outlook moved positive for the first time since July 2011.  The Outlook’s rise was driven primarily by more positive attitudes toward the Economy, which, which still negative (-1.58) did jump 15.34 points.  This was the largest increase in a year.  The Overall Outlook, based on investor attitudes regarding issues that impact their daily lives, increased 5.6 points to 2.68.

Household Assets rose 8.68 points to 7.43 while Company Heath declined 1.33 points to -0.58, and Household Income moved down .31 points to 5.44.

Millionaire household began the New Year in an up mood.  The Millionaire Outlook gained 5.51 points to 11.38, the highest reading since May 2011.  Household Assets increased 6.57 points, while The Economy gained 9.5 points to -1.01, eight month highs for both.  Household Income gained 3.81 points to 17.87, and Company Health rose 2.18 points to 6.38.

The Non-Millionaire Outlook remains in negative territory for the eighth consecutive month, however it posted an overall gain of 5.23 points to -6.75.  Outlook component readings were mixed, with The Economy soaring 21.34 points to -2.20 and Household Assets gaining 10.09 points to -8.66.  Company Health fell however by 5.31 points to -8.12 and Household Income dropped 5.20 points to -8.02.

The Political Climate was listed as a factor affecting investment plans by only 4 percent of Affluent investors, down from 13 percent last July, a benchmark for the year, when the debt ceiling debate was heating up.  The economy is sure to be a primary issue in the upcoming presidential campaign, one can expect that Affluent investors will be keeping an eye on this issue as the year unfolds.