One Measure of Consumer Sentiment Improves

New York, NY, March 12, 2009--Despite mounting job losses and a stock market spiraling toward a 12-year low, U.S. consumer sentiment edged up this month according to the most recent results of the RBC CASH Index.

The survey, which measured the attitudes of 1,000 Americans earlier this week, found that consumer sentiment remained very low, but stable.

As a result, the overall RBC CASH Index stands at 8.2 for March 2009, up slightly from 1.6 in February, the lowest level on record since the inception of the Index in 2002.

"Consumer confidence looks to be trying to find a bottom," said Larry Miller, managing director, RBC Capital Markets.

"The March improvement taken together with the stabilization of spending intentions we've seen in our restaurant and other consumer surveys and in the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) may suggest the consumer has dialed back its spending to a level that is reflective of the current macroeconomic realities. Holding these levels will be key to restoring investor confidence."

The RBC Current Conditions Index rallied to 14.8, up 13.2 points compared to February's 1.6 record-low level. Currently, 35 per cent
of Americans rate their personal finances as weak, down from 39 percent last month.