BEPI Hispanic Index of Consumer Sentiment

Third Quarter 2026

TOPLINESRESULTS

HISPANIC CONSUMER CONFIDENCE EDGES DOWN IN THIRD QUARTER OF 2026

The Hispanic Consumer Sentiment Index (HCSI) edged down in the third quarter of 2026, signaling softening confidence among Hispanic consumers in the United States. The index slipped from 76.01 in the second quarter to 75.22, though it remains above the 73.94 recorded in the first quarter, as improved views of current finances and buying conditions were offset by weaker expectations for personal finances and the broader economy.

The changes are mixed across the five components of the index, with improved assessments of current personal finances and major purchases but weaker expectations for personal finances, business conditions, and the long-term economic outlook among Hispanic households.

Compared to earlier quarters this year:

• Personal financial situation (past year): 50% of Hispanics report being better off financially than a year ago, up from 48% in the second quarter and 47% in the first quarter.
• Personal financial expectations (next year): 64% expect to be better off financially, down from 67% in the second quarter but up from 58% in the first quarter.
• Short-term economic outlook: 40% anticipate good business conditions over the next year, down from 45% in the second quarter and 47% in the first quarter.
• Long-term economic outlook: 47% expect good times over the next five years, compared to 48% in the second quarter and 49% in the first quarter.
• Major purchases: 47% say it is a good time to buy big-ticket household items, up from 42% in both the second and first quarters.

Additional Findings:

• Housing: 35% say it is a good time to buy a home, down from 38% in the second quarter and 42% in the first quarter.
• Automobiles: 38% say it is a good time to buy a car, down from 43% in the second quarter but up from 35% in the first quarter.
• Cost of living: 79% report that the cost of living has increased, up from 76% in the second quarter and 73% in the first quarter.

Additional questions this quarter shed light on household finances and economic concerns:

• Barriers to major purchases: 48% say high prices are the main factor influencing whether they would make a major purchase right now, followed by saving for other priorities (14%), high interest rates (11%), and income or job uncertainty (10%). Only 9% report no major barriers.
• Rising household costs: 54% say groceries and food have increased the most for their household over the past year, followed by rent or mortgage (14%) and utilities (10%). Just 5% say their costs have not noticeably risen.
• Emergency savings: 43% have enough savings to cover an unexpected $500 expense without relying on credit cards or borrowing, while 51% do not and 6% are unsure.
• Side income: 47% are working more than one job or taking on side income, such as gig or freelance work, for extra money.
• AI and automation: 60% are worried their job could be affected by AI or automation in the next few years, including 24% who are very worried.
• Financial stability: 65% are confident their household will be financially stable over the next 12 months, though only 27% are very confident; 35% are not very or not at all confident.
• Top concern for the next year: Rising prices overall is the leading concern (42%), followed by housing affordability (19%), healthcare costs (13%), and job security or income (12%).

About the Survey

The results are based on a survey of 506 Hispanic adults (age 18 and older) conducted between July 1 and September 30, 2026. Data was collected via online surveys through RepData. The margin of error is ±4.36 percentage points. Responses were weighted to reflect the national Hispanic population by region, education, gender, age, and income using the latest American Community Survey data.

Second Quarter 2026

TOPLINESRESULTSPRESS RELEASE

HISPANIC CONSUMER CONFIDENCE SHOWS MIXED SIGNALS IN SECOND QUARTER OF 2026

The Hispanic Consumer Sentiment Index (HCSI) partially recovered in the second quarter of 2026, signaling a modest rebound in confidence among Hispanic consumers in the United States. The index rose from 73.94 in the first quarter to 76.01, though it remains well below the 85.8 recorded in the fourth quarter of 2025, as improved expectations about personal finances were offset by more cautious views of overall economic conditions.

The changes are mixed across the five components of the index, with improved expectations for personal finances but slightly weaker views on business conditions and major purchases among Hispanic households.

Compared to the previous quarter:

• Personal financial situation (past year): 48% of Hispanics report being better off financially than a year ago, up slightly from 47% in the first quarter, but still below the 55% recorded in the fourth quarter of 2025.
• Personal financial expectations (next year): 67% expect to be better off financially, up from 58% in the first quarter and nearing the 69% recorded in the fourth quarter of 2025.
• Short-term economic outlook: 45% anticipate good business conditions over the next year, down from 47% in the first quarter and 55% in the fourth quarter of 2025.
• Long-term economic outlook: 48% expect good times over the next five years, compared to 49% in the first quarter and 56% in the fourth quarter of 2025.
• Major purchases: 42% say it is a good time to buy big-ticket household items, unchanged from the first quarter but down from 48% in the fourth quarter of 2025.

Additional Findings:

Consumer sentiment was mixed across key spending categories:

• Housing: 38% say it is a good time to buy a home, down from 42% in the first quarter and 46% in the fourth quarter of 2025.
• Automobiles: 43% say it is a good time to buy a car, a notable rebound from 35% in the first quarter, though still below the 50% recorded in the fourth quarter of 2025.
• Cost of living: 76% report that the cost of living has increased, up from 73% in the first quarter and 72% in the fourth quarter of 2025.

About the Survey

The results are based on a survey of 514 Hispanic adults (age 18 and older) conducted between April 1 and June 30, 2026. Data was collected via online surveys through RepData. The margin of error is ±4.32 percentage points. Responses were weighted to reflect the national Hispanic population by region, education, gender, age, and income using the latest American Community Survey data.

First Quarter 2026

TOPLINESRESULTSPRESS RELEASE

HISPANIC CONSUMER CONFIDENCE DECLINES IN FIRST QUARTER OF 2026

The Hispanic Consumer Sentiment Index (HCSI) declined sharply in the first quarter of 2026, signaling a broad-based drop in confidence among Hispanic consumers in the United States. The index fell from 85.8 in the fourth quarter of 2025 to 73.94, reflecting weaker expectations about both personal finances and overall economic conditions.

The decline is consistent across all five components of the index, pointing to a more cautious outlook among Hispanic households.

Compared to the previous quarter:

• Personal financial situation (past year): 47% of Hispanics report being better off financially than a year ago, down from 55%.
• Personal financial expectations (next year): 58% expect to be better off financially, compared to 69%.
• Short-term economic outlook: 47% anticipate good business conditions over the next year, down from 55%.
• Long-term economic outlook: 49% expect good times over the next five years, compared to 56%.
• Major purchases: 42% say it is a good time to buy big-ticket household items, down from 48%.

Additional Findings:

Consumer sentiment also weakened in key spending categories:

• Housing: 42% say it is a good time to buy a home, compared to 46% last quarter.
• Automobiles: 35% say it is a good time to buy a car, a notable decline from 50% in the last quarter of 2025.
• Cost of living: 73% report that the cost of living has increased, slightly higher than 72% in the previous quarter.

About the Survey

The results are based on a survey of 537 Hispanic adults (age 18 and older) conducted between January 1 and March 31, 2026. Data were collected via a combination of landline interviews (IVR) and online surveys through RepData. The margin of error is ±4.29 percentage points. Responses were weighted to reflect the national Hispanic population by region, education, gender, age, and income using the latest American Community Survey data.