Business

43% Confident In Stability of U.S. Banking Industry

Confidence in the stability of the U.S. banking system has fallen to its lowest level in over a year of monthly tracking.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 43% of American Adults are at least somewhat confident in the stability of the U.S. banking industry today.  That’s down from 46% last month and from a recent high of 50% in May. By comparison, however, in July 2008 just before the Wall Street meltdown, 68% were confident in the banking system.

The survey of 1,000 American Adults nationwide was conducted on July 8-9, 2012 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.

41% of Workers Expect To Earn More Money In A Year

Many working Americans continue to believe their earnings will be up a year from today, but younger workers are much more optimistic than their elders. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 41% of Employed Adults believe they’ll be earning more money a year from today. That's down slightly from 43% in March, the highest finding since November 2010.  Just 13% think they'll be making less. Thirty-nine percent (39%) expect their pay to be about the same in a year’s time. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 637 Employed Adults was conducted on July 6-7, 2012 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. 

66% Say Spending Cuts Should be Considered in All Government Programs

Voters continue to support across-the-board federal spending cuts to help solve the federal budget crisis.  A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 66% of Likely U.S. Voters think that, as the nation searches for solutions to the federal budget crisis, thoughtful spending cuts should be considered in every program of the federal government.

That's consistent with previous surveying but is the highest level of support since Rasmussen Reports first asked the question in August 2011. Twenty percent (20%) disagree and do not think spending cuts should be considered in all programs. Another 14% are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

32% of Workers Say Their Next Job Will Be Better Than Current One

Younger Americans continue to feel optimistic about their future employment opportunities, but fewer workers of all ages are looking for another job.  

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Employed Adults finds that 32% say their next job will be better than their current one.  Nineteen percent (19%) disagree, while 24% plan to retire after they leave their current position.  Another 25% are not sure.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

Voters Favor Bush Tax Cuts, Close Call When It Comes to the Wealthy

President Obama is calling for an extension of the Bush administration tax cuts for all those who earn under $250,000 a year. House Republicans are planning a vote that would extend those same tax cuts for all Americans regardless of income.

Consumer Confidence Declines in June

Consumer confidence in the economy and personal finances, which are key economic indicators, worsened in June to the lowest levels since January 2012. The Discover U.S. Spending Monitor, a 5-year-old daily poll tracking economic confidence and spending intentions of nearly 8,200 consumers throughout the month, declined 4.8 points to 90.7 in June.

44% Would Vote for Candidate Who Promised to Oppose All Tax Increases

Voters are now evenly divided over whether they’d be more likely to vote for a candidate who promised to oppose all tax increases or a candidate who would raise taxes only on the rich.  A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 44% would now vote for the candidate who promised to oppose all tax increases, the highest level of support since the start of 2011. Just as many (43%) would vote for the candidate who only raised taxes on the rich. This is the closest voters have been on the issue since February 2010. Thirteen percent (13%) are not sure which candidate they would vote for. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on June 21-22, 2012 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.

18% Say Now Is A Good Time to Sell A House In Their Area

Belief that a home is a family’s best investment is at its highest level in over a year.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 54% of American Adults now think buying a home is the best investment families can make. Just 25% disagree, while another 22% undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults nationwide was conducted on June 18-19, 2012 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.

32% Think 100,000 Cut in Federal Workforce Would Help Economy

Even though most Americans have consistently said government workers have it easier and get paid more than those in the private sector, a plurality wouldn’t want them to lose their jobs. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 32% of American Adults think it would be good for the economy if the federal government lays off 100,000 workers.  Forty-seven percent (47%) say a layoff like that would be bad for the economy, while another 10% feel it would have no impact.  Ten percent (10%) more are not sure.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on June 12-13, 2012 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.

Fewer Than Half Now Say Their Home Is Worth More Than What They Paid for It

For the second survey in a row, fewer than half of U.S. homeowners believe their home is worth more than when they bought it.

Forty-eight percent (48%) of homeowners now say their home is worth more now than when they bought it, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. That’s just below April’s finding of 49%, the first time that figure dipped below 50% in over two years of regular surveying.  By comparison, in October 2011, 62% reported that their home was worth more than when they bought it, and in June 2008, 80% thought their home was worth more than when they bought it.

The national survey of 729 Adult Homeowners was conducted on June 18-19, 2012 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.

26% Now Expect Their Home's Value to Increase Over Next Year

Short-term confidence among homeowners about the future of their homes' values is at its highest level in two years, and most now expect that value to increase in five year’s time. But at the same time those who think their home is now worth less than what they still owe on it ties an all-time high.  

Twenty-six percent (26%) of Adult Homeowners think the value of their home will go up over the next year, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey.  Twenty-two percent (22%) expect their home’s value to go down over the next year, while 49% predict values will stay about the same.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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66% Say Government Should Cut Spending To Help Economy

Voters remain closely divided over the government’s role in responding to the troubled economy, but cutting spending remains a favored option for most.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 44% of Likely U.S. Voters are worried the federal government will do too much in reacting to the nation’s economic situation rather than not enough.  Forty-eight percent (48%) are more worried the government will not do enough.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters nationwide was conducted on June 15-16, 2012 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.

Just 16% Say Today's Children Will Be Better Off Than Their Parents

Optimism about the future of today’s children remains at an all-time low.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults shows that just 16% believe today’s children will be better off than their parents. Sixty-six percent (66%) say today’s children will not be better off, while another 18% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on June 16-17, 2012 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.

43% Expect Higher Interest Rates in a Year

Belief that interest rates will be higher a year from now is down from the first of the year and is at its lowest level since last December.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 43% of American Adults believe interest rates will be higher this time next year, while just six percent (6%) think they will be lower. Forty percent (40%), however, believe rates won’t change over the next 12 months. (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 nationwide was conducted on June 10-11, 2012 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.

57% Say Housing Prices Will Take More Than Another Three Years to Recover

Most Americans remain pessimistic about the U.S. housing market’s recovery from the bubble that burst in 2008. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults shows that 57% believe that it will take more than another three years for the housing market to fully recover from the downturn that occurred in 2008. Fifteen percent (15%) predict a recovery in three years,  while 10% say it will take one or two years more. Another 19% are undecided. (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 Adults was conducted on June 16-17, 2012 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.

Just 31% Think $5-A-Gallon Gas Is Coming Soon

The surge in gas prices across the country appears to be over, with far fewer Americans predicting $4 or even $5 a gallon prices at the pump. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 41% of American Adults now say they are paying more for a gallon of gas than they were six months ago. (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 Adults nationwide was conducted on June 14-15, 2012 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.

52% Think Economy Will Be Unchanged or Weaker A Year From Now

Most Americans still believe the U.S. economy will be weaker or unchanged in a year’s time. Fewer than half expect the economy to be stronger even five years from now.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 36% of American Adults now think the economy will be stronger in a year. That’s consistent with findings so far this year and more optimistic than Americans were throughout 2011. But 52% don’t share that optimism, including 38% who believe the economy will be weaker in a year’s time and 14% who predict it will be about the same. Thirteen percent (13%) aren’t sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on June 16-17, 2012 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.

Just 27% Say Those Who Work Harder Make More Money

Most Americans still aren’t convinced that the harder you work, the more you get paid.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults shows that just 27% believe that people who work harder generally make more money. Fifty-seven percent (57%) don’t believe that to be the case, while another 16% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on June 12-13, 2012 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.

50% Say Financial Industry Bailouts Were Bad for U.S.

Fifty percent (50%) of Likely U.S. Voters still believe the government bailouts of the financial industry were bad for the country, but voters are now almost evenly divided on the effectiveness of the auto company bailouts.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 32% of Likely U.S. Voters think the financial industry bailouts were good for the United States. Seventeen percent (17%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on June 11-12, 2012 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.

78% Remain Concerned About Inflation

Most Americans continue to lack confidence in the Federal Reserve Board’s ability to keep inflation under control, and they overwhelmingly expect to pay more for the groceries they buy.  

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 78% of American Adults are at least somewhat concerned about inflation, including 49% who are Very Concerned.  Just 19% are not very or Not At All concerned about inflation.  (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 nationwide was conducted on June 10-11, 2012 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.