Focuses On Hispanic Poll Participants.
BOCA RATON, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2026 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — Hispanic consumers are growing increasingly pessimistic about their financial futures, according to a new survey released by Florida Atlantic University’s Business and Economic Polling Initiative. The Hispanic Consumer Sentiment Index dropped sharply from 85.8 in the fourth quarter of 2025 to 73.94 in the first quarter of 2026, reversing more optimistic attitudes reported just months earlier. Researchers said all five measures used to calculate the index declined, pointing to broader concerns about both personal finances and the national economy.
More than half of Hispanic adults surveyed — 53% — said their financial situation has worsened over the past year, while 47% said they are better off financially than they were a year ago. That marks a notable shift from the previous quarter, when 55% reported improved financial conditions. Confidence about the future also weakened, with 58% saying they expect their finances to improve over the next year, down from 69% at the end of 2025. Meanwhile, 40% said they do not expect their financial outlook to improve at all.
Views of the broader economy were similarly cautious. The poll found that 52% of respondents believe the country is headed toward bad financial times, while 47% expect economic conditions to improve during the next year. Looking further ahead, only 49% said they believe the nation will experience good financial times over the next five years, down from 56% in the prior quarter. Monica Escaleras, chair of FAU’s economics department and director of the polling initiative, said the results reflect growing uncertainty among Hispanic consumers that could eventually affect spending and savings patterns nationwide.
The survey also found declining confidence in major household purchases. Just 42% of respondents said now is a good time to buy a home, compared to 48% in the previous quarter. Sentiment surrounding vehicle purchases fell even more sharply, with only 35% saying it is a good time to buy a car, down from 50% late last year. The findings are based on responses from 537 Hispanic adults surveyed between Jan. 1 and March 31 through landline interviews and online questionnaires. The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.29 percentage points.
