Consumer confidence declined slightly in February according to a survey by Prosper Insights & Analytics. The percentage of adults who are confident or very confident in the economy fell to 42.0%, down from 49.0% in February 2015. While consumers feel more positive about their savings than following the recession, the percentage who feel better off financially has plateaued just under 30% recently. In February, consumers indicated that paying down debt and increasing savings would be priorities over the next three months.

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February 2016
Consumer Snapshot

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sentiment strategy
Disclaimer: Prosper Business Development and its affiliated companies (“Prosper”) make no warranties, either expressed or implied, concerning: data gathered or
obtained from any source; the present or future methodology employed in producing the statistics; or the data and estimates represent only the opinion of
Prosper and reliance thereon and use thereof shall be at the user’s own risk.
February 2016
personal
finance

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sentiment
consumer sentiment
m/m, confidence descends half a point to 42.0%
who are confident/very confident in the
economy
very confident/confident in chances for a strong economy
{adults 18+}
Source: Prosper Insights & Analytics
this month’s reading represents a 14% decline
from Feb-15 (49.0%) as well as a 13 month low
49.0%
42.0%
30%
35%
40%
45%
50%
55%

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sentiment
very confident/confident in chances for a strong economy
{adults 18+}
Source: Prosper Insights & Analytics
historical perspective
after a relatively optimistic February reading last
year, Feb-16 falls more in range with Feb-13 and
Feb-14 readings
the current reading represents a 20%+ drop
from pre-recession Feb-07
consumer sentiment
m/m, confidence descends half a point to 42.0%
who are confident/very confident in the
economy
this month’s reading represents a 14% decline
from Feb-15 (49.0%) as well as a 13 month low
53.2%
49.0%
42.0%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%

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strategy
practicality & focus on needs
{adults 18+}
practical purchases
despite the slight decline in confidence this
month, practical purchase intentions continue to
hold steady
focus on needs
consumers’ focus on needs over wants when
spending declines less than a point from January
Source: Prosper Insights & Analytics
in February, 35.8% indicate that they’ve
become more practical with purchasing,
residing just below the 13 month average
(37.7%)
currently, 41.7% are focusing on just what they
need when at the store, tracking just under the 13
month average (43.8%)
38.9%
35.8%
45.4%
41.7%
30%
32%
34%
36%
38%
40%
42%
44%
46%
48%
I have become more practical and realistic in my
purchases
I focus more on what I NEED rather than what I WANT

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personal finances
saving enough
consumers are consistently feeling better about
their savings positions since the recession
Source: Prosper Insights & Analytics
“I am saving enough for future needs.”
{adults 18+ who agree / strongly agree, 3 month rolling average}
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
45%
Feb-07
Nov-07
Aug-08
May-09
Feb-10
Nov-10
Aug-11
May-12
Feb-13
Nov-13
Aug-14
May-15
Feb-16
in February, two out of five (42.0%) agree or
strongly agree that they are saving enough for
future needs

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personal finances
saving enough
consumers are consistently feeling better about
their savings positions since the recession
Source: Prosper Insights & Analytics
Regarding your personal financial situation, compared to this time last year, are you...
{adults 18+}
in February, two out of five (42.0%) agree or
strongly agree that they are saving enough for
future needs
undercurrent of uncertainty
despite feeling more confident in their savings,
consumers who are feeling “better off” about
their personal financial situation had plateaued
over the past two years, floating just under 30%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
Feb-12
Jun-12
Oct-12
Feb-13
Jun-13
Oct-13
Feb-14
Jun-14
Oct-14
Feb-15
Jun-15
Oct-15
Feb-16
Better Off Same Worse Off

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personal finances
saving enough
consumers are consistently feeling better about
their savings positions since the recession
Source: Prosper Insights & Analytics
financial plans over the next 3 months
{adults 18+}
in February, two out of five (42.0%) agree or
strongly agree that they are saving enough for
future needs
undercurrent of uncertainty
despite feeling more confident in their savings,
consumers who are feeling “better off” about
their personal financial situation had plateaued
over the past two years, floating just under 30%
debt, savings = priorities
post-holiday, it appears that savings and debt
repayment are moving back into the consumer
financial forefront
20%
22%
24%
26%
28%
30%
32%
34%
36%
38%
40%
Pay down debt Increase savings

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Pam Goodfellow
Consumer Insights Director
Prosper Insights & Analytics™
pam@goProsper.com
ProsperDiscovery.com
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