Consumer Optimism on Economy, Tech Jump in March, Says CTA

23 Mar 2016, 00:00 AM EDT

ARLINGTON, Va.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Consumer confidence toward the overall economy and tech spending rose in
March following a February slide, according to the latest data released
today by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA)™ – formerly the
Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)®.

Overall Economy

The CTA Index of Consumer Expectations (ICE), which measures consumer
sentiment about the U.S. economy as a whole, jumped 6.6 points in March
to reach 178.7.

“Consumer confidence toward the overall economy lifted this month,
following a downturn in February amid Americans’ worries of an economic
slowdown and stock market drop,” said Shawn DuBravac, Ph.D., chief
economist, Consumer Technology Association. “Strength remains in
consumer spending, as a result of wage growth and employment gains.”

Technology Spending

The CTA Index of Consumer Technology Expectations (ICTE), which measures
consumer expectations about technology spending, increased 1.5 points to
reach 86.4 in March.

“Following a rebound in sentiment about the economy, optimism toward
technology spending saw an increase in March, too,” said DuBravac.

The CTA Indexes are updated on a monthly basis through consumer surveys.
New data is released on the fourth Tuesday of each month. Find current
and past indexes, charts, methodology and future release dates, on the CTA
Indexes page.

About Consumer Technology Association:

Consumer Technology Association (CTA)^TM, formerly Consumer
Electronics Association (CEA)^®, is the trade association
representing the $287 billion U.S. consumer technology industry. More
than 2,200 companies – 80 percent are small businesses and startups;
others are among the world’s best known brands – enjoy the benefits of
CTA membership including policy advocacy, market research, technical
education, industry promotion, standards development and the fostering
of business and strategic relationships. CTA also owns and produces CES^®
– the world’s gathering place for all who thrive on the business of
consumer technologies. Profits from CES are reinvested into CTA’s
industry services.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Winter Break – Register
March
21-24, Park City, UT
Technology & Standards Spring Forum – Register
April
4-8, San Diego, CA
CES on the Hill – Register
April
19, Washington, DC
Digital Patriots Dinner – Register
April
20, Washington, DC
CES Asia 2016 – Register
May
11-13, Shanghai, China
CEO Summit
June 21-24, Tel Aviv, Israel
Innovate!
September 20-22, San Jose, CA
CES Unveiled Prague
October 20, Prague, Czech Republic
CES Unveiled Paris
October 25, Paris, France
CES Unveiled New York
November 10, New York, NY
CES Unveiled Las Vegas
January 3, Las Vegas, NV
CES 2017
January 5-8, Las Vegas, NV

Contacts

Consumer Technology Association (CTA)
Danielle Cassagnol,
703-907-5253
dcassagnol@CE.org
www.CTA.tech
or
Laura
Hubbard, 703-907-4326
lhubbard@CE.org