Canadian consumer confidence softened in August 2026, with the Thomson Reuters IPSOS Primary Consumer Sentiment Index (PCSI) declining month-over-month. The index eased to 48.19 in August from 49.42 in July, according to data updated on 12 August 2026.
The month-over-month comparison shows a reversal from July’s higher reading, suggesting that consumers have become slightly more cautious heading into late summer. The latest figure keeps the index below the 50-point mark, a level often watched by markets as a rough dividing line between more optimistic and more pessimistic sentiment.
The “Actual” August reading is measured against July 2026, while the “Previous” comparison reflects July’s change versus June, highlighting a cooling trend in short-term sentiment. Investors and policymakers will be monitoring whether this dip is a brief pause or the start of a more sustained weakening in Canadian consumer confidence.
