Business

80% Are Paying More For Groceries Than a Year Ago

Most Americans are still paying more for groceries than they were last year and remain concerned about inflation.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 80% of American Adults now say they are paying more for groceries today than they were a year ago. Only 12% say they are paying less. These findings have changed little in recent years, though the number reporting higher grocery bills is at its lowest since July 2010. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on August 18-19, 2013 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.

51% Say Value Of Their Home Worth More Than They Still Owe

Just half of homeowners believe their home is worth more than what they still owe on it, but confidence in the short-term housing market remains higher than it has been in several years.

Fifty-one percent (51%) of U.S. homeowners say the value of their house is worth more than the amount they still owe on their mortgage, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey.  That finding is down from 55% a month ago. Thirty-six percent (36%) say they owe more than what their home is worth, while 13% are not sure.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 719 U.S. Homeowners nationwide was conducted on August 20-21, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports.  The margin of sampling error is +/- 4 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Fieldwork for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

44% Confident In Stability of U.S. Banking System

Fewer Americans are confident in the banking industry this month, and more are worried about losing their money due to bank failure.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 44% of American Adults are at least somewhat confident in the stability of the U.S. banking industry today, including just eight percent (8%) who are Very Confident. Fifty-one percent (51%) are not confident in the stability of the industry, including 13% who are Not At All Confident. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on August 18-19, 2013 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.

71% Say Government Helps Politically Connected Businesses, Hurts Those That Are Not

Most voters do not believe there is a level playing field when it comes to businesses that have ties to the political elite. Seventy-one percent (71%) of Likely U.S. Voters say the federal government helps businesses that are politically connected and hurts those that are not, according to a new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey.  Just 13% think the government treats all businesses the same, while 16% are not sure.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on August 13-14, 2013 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.

74% Oppose Federal Plan to Make Neighborhoods More Diverse

The federal Department of Housing and Urban Development has announced plans to make the nation’s neighborhoods more diverse, but Americans strongly oppose this idea. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only 10% of American Adults think the federal government should do more to make sure most, if not all, neighborhoods in the United States are more racially and ethnically diverse.  Seventy-four percent (74%) disagree, while 16% are not sure.  (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on August 10-11, 2013 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.

40% Agree with Government Challenge of US Airways-American Merger

Voters are closely divided over the U.S. Justice Department’s decision to contest the merger of US Airways and American Airlines, but nearly half predict airline fares will go up if the merger goes through. Forty percent (40%) of Likely U.S. Voters agree with the Justice Department’s decision to challenge the merger, according to the latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Thirty-two percent (32%) disagree with that challenge, but a sizable 28% are not sure about it. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on August 13-14, 2013 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.

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65% of Working Americans Consider Themselves Middle Class

Only a third of all Americans believe the economy is fair to the middle class, but working Americans strongly believe they fall in that income group.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Employed Adults finds that 65% consider themselves middle class, with another 18% who say they are upper middle class. Just four percent (4%) see themselves as wealthy.  Thirteen percent (13%) regard themselves as among the working poor.  (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

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The survey of 623 Employed Adults was conducted on July 31 – August 1, 2013 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.

Most Americans Think There Are Jobs Available

Most Americans continue to believe there are jobs available for those who want them but remain pessimistic about the road to success.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 52% of American Adults believe it is possible for anyone who really wants to work to find a job. Thirty-four percent (34%) do not think it’s possible for anyone to find work, but 14% are not sure. This is in line with findings since April and reflects more consistent optimism than Americans have expressed about the job market in several years. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults nationwide was conducted on July 25-26, 2013 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.

22% Say Stock Market Will Be Stronger In A Year

Despite big gains made in the stock market in July, few Americans believe the market will be higher in the near future.  A plurality also still thinks housing prices will take more than three years to recover.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only 22% of American Adults think the stock market will be higher than it is today a year from now.  Just as many (23%) disagree and believe the market will be lower. Thirty-eight percent (38%) think it will be about the same.  Seventeen percent (17%) are not sure.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on July 25-26, 2013 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. 

29% Are Looking For Work Outside Their Current Company

More American workers are looking for employment outside of their current companies, but they remain closely divided as to whether staying or leaving offers them the best career opportunities.

Twenty-nine percent (29%) of Working Americans are now looking for work outside of their current company, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. That’s up nine points from last month and is the highest finding measured since March 2011. Sixty-one percent (61%), however, are not looking for a job outside of their current company. Ten percent (10%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 623 Employed Adults was conducted on July 31 – August 1, 2013 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.

33% Say Economy Will Be Stronger In A Year, 39% Say Weaker

Americans remain slightly more confident in long-term economic recovery than in the short-term. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 33% of American Adults believe the U.S. economy will be stronger in a year, generally in line with findings over the past couple years.  But slightly more (39%) still feel the economy will be weaker one year from now, showing little change from last month but down from a recent high of 50% in November.  Seventeen percent (17%) expect it to stay about the same.  Eleven percent (11%) are not sure.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on July 25-26, 2013 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.

74% Oppose Making Minimum Wage Different for Different Age Groups

Americans recognize that more minimum-wage fast-food jobs are now being held by workers who are over 20, but while they favor raising the minimum wage, they don’t think that wage should be even higher for those who are older. 

Just 33% of American Adults believe the average age range of employees in fast-food restaurants is under 20. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 48% recognize that the average age of these workers is now 20 to 29. Nine percent (9%) think it’s even higher.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults nationwide was conducted on July 29-30, 2013 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.

61% Favor Raising Minimum Wage to $10.10 An Hour

Most Americans don't think it's possible to live on the current minimum wage of $7.25 an hour and favor raising it dramatically. They also believe the minimum wage should continue to rise to keep up with inflation even though they don't necessarily see that as good for the economy.

Just 10% of American Adults believe the current minimum wage is a wage someone can live on, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Seventy-seven percent (77%) say the minimum wage is not enough to live on. Thirteen percent (13%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults nationwide was conducted on July 29-30, 2013 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.

56% Say More Competition, Less Regulation Better For Financial System

Most voters still view the federal bailouts of the financial industry negatively and continue to believe less government is better for the nation’s banking system. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 51% of Likely U.S. Voters  think that the federal government’s bailouts of the financial industry were bad for the United States. Twenty-eight percent (28%) think the bailouts were good for the country, while 21% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on July 24-25, 2013 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. 

55% Think Some States May Be Declaring Bankruptcy Soon

Following news of Detroit’s bankruptcy filing, most Americans believe some states are likely to do the same soon. They're more supportive, too, of letting states declare bankruptcy if they can't pay their bills.

Fifty-five percent (55%) of American Adults believe that it’s at least somewhat likely that some states will file for bankruptcy in the near future, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Just 34% view this as unlikely. This includes 27% who consider it Very Likely that there will be states declaring bankruptcy soon and just five percent (5%) who say it’s Not At All Likely. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on July 21-22, 2013 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.

37% Consider Now a Good Time To Sell Home Locally, 40% Disagree

Americans’ confidence in the housing market continues to grow, but belief that a home is a family's best investment is still down.

Thirty-seven percent (37%) of American Adults feel that now is a good time for someone in their area to sell a home, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Forty percent (40%) disagree. Twenty-three percent (23%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on July 23-24, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports.  The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Fieldwork for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

55% Say Their Home Value Worth More Than What They Still Owe

Just over half of U.S. homeowners still say their home is worth more than what they owe on it.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 55% of American Homeowners say their home is worth more than the amount they still owe on their mortgage. That’s up from 50% a month ago but is still down from a high of 61% in December 2008. Thirty-three percent (33%) say they owe more than their home is worth. That's down from a high of 42% and consistent with surveying for nearly a year now. Twelve percent (12%) are not sure.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 640 Homeowners was conducted on July 23-24, 2013 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.

New Low: 12% Think Their Home Will Be Worth Less in a Year

Fewer homeowners than ever now expect their home to be worth less in a year’s time.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 12% of U.S. Homeowners think the value of their home will go down over the next year. That's down from 14% last month and the lowest finding since Rasmussen Reports began regularly tracking on this question in April 2009.  Thirty-four percent (34%) think their home’s value will be higher a year from now, consistent with findings for much of this year. Fifty-one percent (51%) think their home’s value will remain about the same. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 640 Homeowners nationwide was conducted on July 23-24, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports.  The margin of sampling error is +/- 4 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Fieldwork for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted byPulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

25% Favor Federal Bailouts for Ailing Cities Like Detroit

A federal judge yesterday cleared the way for Detroit’s bankruptcy to move ahead, and Americans strongly believe other major cities will soon be following the same path. But most are opposed to federal bailouts for these financially troubled cities.

Seventy-four percent (74%) of American Adults think it is at least somewhat likely that more major cities will file for bankruptcy in the near future, including 44% who say it is Very Likely. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 19% consider other municipal bankruptcies unlikely in the short term, but only one percent (1%) view it as Not At All Likely. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on July 21-22, 2013 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.

62% Think Government Should Cut Spending to Help Economy

Most voters still see less government spending as good for the economy.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 62% of Likely U.S. Voters now think the government should cut spending in reaction to the nation’s economic problems. But that's down from 65% last month and the lowest level of support for reduced spending since last August. Still, voters aren't enthusiastic about more government spending: Just 23% think the government should spend more in response to the struggling economy. That's consistent with regular surveys for more than a year now. Fifteen percent (15%) are not sure which is a better option. (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

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(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 national survey of 1,000 U.S. Likely Voters was conducted on July 18-19, 2013 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.