Business

Is That A Sinking Feeling in the Housing Market?

After reaching six-year highs in January, homeowners’ confidence in the future of the housing market has returned to levels found over the last couple years.

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The survey of 657 American Homeowners was conducted on February 15-16, 2015 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

More Americans Now Consider Themselves Among Working Poor

Although nearly half of working Americans expect to earn more money a year from today, slightly more now say they’re in poverty.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 47% of employed American Adults say they’ll be earning more money a year from today, down from 50% in surveys since July. Just 12% expect to earn less money in a year, while 33% think their salaries will remain about the same over the next 12 months, generally in line with recent surveys. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 571 Employed Adults was conducted on February 3-4, 2015 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Americans Say Their Current Job Is Their Best Bet

Americans seem to be content with their current jobs as nearly half believe staying put affords them the best opportunity to get ahead. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds 47% of Employed Americans believe staying with their current job gives them the best chance for career advancement. This finding is up six points from December and is the highest finding since January 2013. Thirty-three percent (33%) think going to work for someone else affords them the best chance for career advancement. Twenty percent (20%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 571 Employed Adults was conducted on February 3-4, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Debt Up; Interest Rates, Too?

Americans are sending positive signals about much of the economy, but they still remain deeper in debt than they were last year at this time. They also continue to think higher interest rates are coming on the money they owe.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 29% of American Adults say they owe more money than they did a year ago. That's unchanged from December and consistent with surveying since last summer. But just 23% said they owed more money in January of last year. Thirty-two percent (32%) say they owe less money than they did a year ago, while for 36% their level of debt is about the same. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 800 American Adults was conducted on January 18-19, 2015 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

To Sell or Not To Sell: Americans Are Unsure

While homeowner confidence in home values has reached new highs, Americans as a whole still aren’t convinced that it’s a good time to put a house on the market.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 36% of American Adults think now is a good time for someone in their area to be selling home, down slightly from previous surveys and in line with findings since last July. Thirty-three percent (33%) disagree, which is down four points from December and the lowest since June. Nearly as many (31%) are not sure, up four points from the previous survey and the highest finding to date. In June, the number who thought it was a good time to sell hit a five-year high of 44%.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 800 Adults was conducted on January 16-17, 2015 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Are Inflation Worries Beginning to Wind Down?

Concern about inflation appears to be trending down, and Americans are more confident in the federal government to handle it.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 70% of American Adults are still at least somewhat concerned about inflation, with 29% who are Very Concerned. Just 25% don't share that concern, and that includes only five percent (5%) who are Not At All Concerned. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls).  Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter and Facebook.

The survey of 800 Adults was conducted on January 18-19, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Americans Are More Confident Their Homes Have Increased in Value

Already more optimistic about the future value of their home, homeowners are also more confident about its current value.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 84% of American Homeowners are at least somewhat confident that they know how much their home is worth in today’s market, in line with recent surveys. Just 12% are not confident that they know their home’s worth. This includes 46% who are Very Confident and three percent (3%) who are Not At All Confident. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 670 American Homeowners was conducted on January 16-17, 2015 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Voters Think Obama’s Plan Makes More Middle Class Taxes Likely

President Obama in his State of the Union address last night proposed $320 billion in tax increases on the wealthiest Americans including raising capital gains and inheritance taxes in an effort to pay for initiatives he says will benefit lower- and middle-class taxpayers. Democrats overwhelmingly support the president’s plan, but most voters suspect it will lead to more taxes on the middle class as well.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 49% of all Likely U.S. Voters favor the tax increases the president is proposing, while 41% are opposed. Ten percent (10%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 800 Likely Voters was conducted on January 19-20, 2015 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Confidence in America’s Banks Is Up, Too

Americans are starting 2015 off with their most positive view of the country’s banking system since before the Wall Street meltdown.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 60% of American Adults are at least somewhat confident in the stability of the U.S. banking system, including 10% who are Very Confident. This overall finding is up 10 points from the 2014 low found in December. It is the highest finding since July 2008 before the Wall Street meltdown and the federal bailout of the financial system.

Thirty-two percent (32%) are still not confident in the stability of the banking industry, with seven percent (7%) who are Not At All Confident. The overall finding is down 12 points from December and is the lowest finding in nearly seven years. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls).  Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter and Facebook.

The survey of 800 Adults was conducted on January 18-19, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Confidence in Housing Market Jumps to New Highs

More homeowners than ever believe their home will be worth more in the future than it is today.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 44% of American Homeowners say the value of their home will go up over the next year, up four points from the previous high of 40% in November and the highest level of short-term optimism in regular surveying since the spring of 2009. Just 10% think their home’s value will go down over the next 12 months, a new low. Forty-three percent (43%) say it will stay about the same. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 670 American Homeowners was conducted on January 16-17, 2015 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Cash No Longer Reigns Supreme

Paper or plastic? A common question at the grocery store might now refer to your wallet rather than your shopping bags.

Over half (53%) of American Adults now say they’ve gone an entire week without paying for anything with cash or coins, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. That’s up from 49% a year ago and 43% in 2012. Thirty-nine percent (39%) have not, down six points from 2014. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 800 Adults was conducted on January 12-13, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Americans Don't Expect Record Low Gas Prices to Last

Gas prices are hitting near-record lows around the country, but Americans suspect the rock-bottom prices won’t last for long.

Ninety percent (90%) of American Adults say they are paying less for a gallon of gas than six months ago, but 69% think it’s at least somewhat likely those prices will go up again over the next six months, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Just 19% believe they are unlikely to be paying more in six months' time. These findings include 40% who say it’s Very Likely a gallon of gas will cost more and only three percent (3%) who say it’s Not At All Likely. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 800 Adults was conducted on January 10-11, 2015 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Ever Lose Credit or Debit Information Online?

President Obama is pushing new legislation that would prod businesses to be more forthcoming when they are hit with an Internet breach, but most Americans who have been affected by such a breach rate the response positively.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 40% of Americans say they have had credit card or debit card information stolen, and 45% of these adults say they have lost this information through a major data breach at a retailer they’ve bought things from. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls).  Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter and Facebook.

The survey of 800 Adults was conducted on January 12-13, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Americans Still Aren't in a Car-Buying Mood

While several economic indicators suggest the U.S. economy may finally be recovering, car buying doesn't appear to be one of them.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 26% of American Adults say it’s at least somewhat likely they will buy or lease a car in the next year, including 11% who say it's Very Likely. That compares to 27% who intended to do so last year, with 13% who said it was Very Likely. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 800 Adults was conducted on January 10-11, 2015 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Support for Long-Term Unemployment Aid Remains Low

As the national unemployment rate continues to drop, most Americans remain opposed to long-term government help for those out of work.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 15% of American Adults think the government should hire those who can't find work after an extended period of time. Eleven percent (11%) think the government should extend unemployment benefits indefinitely for the long-term unemployed. But 34% think the government should pay for their retraining only, while 30% say it should do nothing at all. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls).  Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter and Facebook.

The survey of 800 Adults was conducted on January 4-5, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Do Government Workers Work Less, Make More?

Americans continue to believe that government employees have it made: They earn more, do less and have more job security.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 50% of American Adults think the average government worker earns more annually than the average private sector employee, up from 46% in November but consistent with surveying for several years. Only 26% disagree, but just as many (24%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls).  Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter and Facebook.

The survey of 800 American Adults was conducted on January 4-5, 2015 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Americans Remain Positive About the Jobs Picture

Americans are still feeling better about the job market.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 24% of American Adults think unemployment will be higher a year from today. This is up three points from 21% in November, but that was the lowest level of pessimism in over four years of regular surveying. Now, 30% believe the unemployment rate will be lower in a year's time, the highest finding since March 2013. Thirty-eight percent (38%) say the unemployment situation will be about the same. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls).  Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter and Facebook.

The survey of 800 Adults was conducted on January 4-5, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology. 

Leading Economic Indicators Back to Pre-2008 Levels

Has the U.S. economy finally turned the corner? Our regular economic indicators suggest that something other than traditional beginning-of-the year optimism is going on.

Daily confidence among consumers and investors as measured by the Rasmussen Reports Consumer and Investor Index has steadily increased over the past several weeks. On Monday, the consumer and investor indexes reached 116 and 132.1 respectively, the highest findings since 2007. While it is generally typical to observe a spike in overall confidence at the start of the year, these are surges not seen since well before the 2008 financial meltdown.

Detailed supplemental information, including a daily history and month-by-month trend data, is available for Platinum Members. 

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Americans Used Postal Service More This Holiday Season

The U.S. Postal Service was the deliverer of choice for more Americans this holiday season.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 61% of American Adults used the Postal Service about the same as they have in previous years. Sixteen percent (16%) say they used the USPS more this holiday season, while 21% say they used it less. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on December 28-29, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Debt's Up at Year's End

Americans are ending the year more in debt than they were at the beginning of 2014.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 29% of American Adults say they owe more money than they did a year ago. That's consistent with findings since the summer but up six points from 23% in mid-January. Thirty-two percent (32%) say they owe less money than they did a year ago, unchanged from the beginning of the year. Thirty-six percent (36%) say they owe just as much now as they did back then. (To see survey question wording, click here).

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on December 16-17, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.