Consumer confidence held steady in May, although Canadians may be feeling the pinch of high gas prices on current income, according to the Conference Board of Canada.

Overall consumer confidence increased by 0.2 points in May, increasing the index of consumer confidence to 99.

Regionally, the Atlantic provinces and Quebec posted gains — confidence in Quebec reached its highest level since the summer of 2004. Confidence levels dipped in the west, and Ontario suffered its second consecutive monthly decline.

“Consumers are feeling more optimistic about future job prospects and believe it is a good time to make a major purchase, but they are not as optimistic about the current state of their family finances,” said Pedro Antunes, Director, National and Provincial Forecast. “More than 15% of respondents felt they were worse off than six months ago.”

The survey was conducted in the first week of May.