BNCCI ticks up to 51.24 as expectations improve, personal finance views stay soft
Canadians are feeling slightly more positive overall, but remain concerned about their personal finances, according to a weekly barometer.
Canadian consumer sentiment barely moved in the four weeks to July 3, with the Bloomberg Nanos Canadian Confidence Index (BNCCI) edging up to 51.24 from 50.86 over that period, keeping the measure just above the neutral 50 mark that separates net positive from net negative sentiment.
The index has averaged 50.65 so far in 2026, below its long-run average of 54.72 dating back to 2008. Over the past 12 months the BNCCI has ranged between a low of 46.31, recorded on April 10, and a high of 54.19, hit on February 27.
The headline figure blends two sub-indices tracking different aspects of household sentiment. The Pocketbook Index, which captures views on personal finances and job security, slipped to 51.88 from 52.91 four weeks earlier.
The Expectations Index, covering outlooks for the broader economy and real estate prices, climbed to 50.60 from 48.81 over the same period.
Nik Nanos, chief data scientist at Nanos Research, said the overall picture is one of stability rather than momentum in either direction.
"Canada's economic confidence has remained broadly stable. The Bloomberg-Nanos Canadian Confidence Index stood at 51.24, slightly higher than four weeks earlier and just above the neutral benchmark. Views on personal finances and job security were largely unchanged, while expectations for the economy and housing have improved modestly."
Regionally, Quebec posted the strongest confidence reading at 54.79, followed by Atlantic Canada at 54.29. British Columbia was the weakest region at 49.21, with Ontario close behind at 49.30.
By age group, Canadians aged 18 to 29 remained the most optimistic cohort at 53.82, while those aged 30 to 39 registered the lowest confidence at 47.16.
Public sentiment on housing
On real estate specifically, 36.97% of respondents expect property values in their neighbourhood to rise over the next six months, against 17.04% who expect a decline, with 39.15% anticipating no change.
The BNCCI is based on a four-week rolling average of telephone interviews with 1,017 Canadian adults, weighted by age, gender and region using 2021 census data. The survey carries a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.
