Business

36% Support More Government Regulation of Financial Industry

Wall Street banks are once again drawing national criticism, this time due to JPMorgan Chase’s $2 billion loss from high-risk trades.  Yet while Americans believe the federal government is doing a poor job keeping an eye on the banking industry, most still aren’t convinced more regulations are needed.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults shows that just 14% rate federal government oversight of the banking industry as good or excellent. Fifty-three percent (53%) say the government is doing a poor job monitoring banks. (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 national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on May 14, 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% Are Confident In Stability of Banking System

Half of Americans are now confident in the stability of the U.S. banking system, but one-in-three are still concerned they’ll lose their money due to bank failure.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 50% of American Adults are at least somewhat confident in the stability of the U.S. banking industry today, but that includes just 13% who are Very Confident.  Forty-seven percent (47%) lack confidence in the banking system, with 15% who are Not At All Confident.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 American Adults nationwide was conducted on May 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.

New High: 47% Say Auto Bailouts Were Good for America

A plurality of voters nationwide now believes the government bailouts of the automobile industry were good for the country, but they remain less enthusiastic about the financial industry bailouts.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 47% of Likely Voters believe the auto industry bailouts were good for America. Forty-three percent (43%) see the government bailouts of automakers General Motors and Chrysler as bad for the country, while another 10% 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 national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on May 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.

Radio Update: Americans Worried About Impact of Europe's Problems on US Economy

Listen to the latest edition of The Rasmussen Report with noted pollster Scott Rasmussen. Stations interested in adding “The Rasmussen Report” features to their lineup should contact Willis Damalt at the WOR Radio Network at 212-798-8376 or via email at wdamalt@worradionet.com.

84% Don't Think The United States Should Bailout Europe

While the European economy remains troubled, most Americans feel the United States should not intervene, but they do believe poor economic conditions overseas directly affects the U.S. economy. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 84% of American Adults do not think the United States should provide funding to help bailout France and other European countries. Only eight percent (8%) think the United States should provide bailout funding to Europe.  (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 May 7-8, 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.

Radio Update: Following Jobs Report, Consumer Confidence Down but Not Out

Listen to the latest edition of The Rasmussen Report with noted pollster Scott Rasmussen. Stations interested in adding “The Rasmussen Report” features to their lineup should contact Willis Damalt at the WOR Radio Network at 212-798-8376 or via email at wdamalt@worradionet.com.

Radio Update: Long-Term Optimism About Economy Hits New Low

Listen to the latest edition of The Rasmussen Report with noted pollster Scott Rasmussen. Stations interested in adding “The Rasmussen Report” features to their lineup should contact Willis Damalt at the WOR Radio Network at 212-798-8376 or via email at wdamalt@worradionet.com.

48% Think It’s Possible For Anyone Seeking Work To Find A Job

While the unemployment rate continues to hover just above 8%, roughly half of Americans still believes it’s possible for anyone with a desire to work to find a job.  But they aren’t so sure just anyone can work hard and get rich. 

Forty-eight percent (48%) of American Adults say it’s possible for anyone who wants to work to find a job, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey.  Forty-one percent (41%) disagree, while 12% 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 or Facebook.
    
The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on May 5-6, 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.

61% Believe Europe Needs to Cut Government Spending to Save Economy

Newly elected leaders in France and Greece have signaled that austerity efforts in their countries may be coming to an end, but as far as Americans are concerned, that’s a move in the wrong direction. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 61% of American Adults believe cuts in government spending would do more to improve the economic and financial situation in France and Greece than increases in that spending. Just 20% think more government spending is the better way to go. Eighteen percent (18%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Americans nationwide was conducted on May 7-8, 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.

New Low: 41% See Stock Market Recovery In At Least Three Years

Americans have mixed feelings on whether a 1930s-like depression is likely to occur,  but fewer adults than ever believe it will take three years  or more for the stock market to recover.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 43% of American Adults say the United States is at least somewhat likely to enter an economic depression similar to the one during the 1930s in the next few years.  Forty-seven percent (47%) don’t see a 1930s-like economic depression as likely in the near future.  These figures include 21% who say a depression is Very Likely and 12% who believe 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 national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on May 5-6, 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.

Number Expecting Less Pay A Year From Now Is Down to 11%

Just 11% of American workers expect to be earning less money a year from now, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. That's down only slightly from 13% in March but is the lowest finding in regular tracking since May 2012.

Forty-two percent (42%) predict they'll be earning more money a year from today, down just a point from March’s all-time high and up dramatically from a low of 30% in January. Thirty-six percent (36% ) think they will be making about the same amount.  Eleven percent (11%) 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 or Facebook.

The survey of 614 Employed Adults was conducted on May 3-4, 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. 

New Low: 44% Predict U.S. Economy Will Be Stronger In Five Years

Confidence that the U.S. economy will be stronger five years from now has fallen to its lowest level in three years of regular tracking, while confidence that it will get better in a year's time remains largely unchanged.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 44% of American Adults say the U.S. economy will be stronger five years from today than it is now. Twenty-two percent (22%) say the nation’s economy will be weaker in five years, while nine percent (9%) say it will be about the same.  But another 25% 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 or Facebook.
  
The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on May 5-6, 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.

48% of Workers Predict Next Job Will Be Better Than Current Job

Despite last week’s disappointing government report on job creation, working Americans are more optimistic than they’ve been in years about their future employment opportunities. More workers than ever also say they’ll leave their current job on their own terms.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Employed Adults shows that 48% believe their next job will be better than their current job. Sixteen percent (16%) don’t think their next job will better, and 20% more plan on retiring after they leave their current post. Another 17% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 614 Employed Adults was conducted on May 3-4, 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.

Radio Update: Some Good News on the Employment Front

Listen to the latest edition of The Rasmussen Report with noted pollster Scott Rasmussen on the WOR Radio Network. Stations interested in adding “The Rasmussen Report” features to their lineup should contact Willis Damalt at the WOR Radio Network at 212-798-8376 or via email at wdamalt@worradionet.com.

Radio Update: Most Americans See Bribery As The Norm in Business

Listen to the latest edition of The Rasmussen Report with noted pollster Scott Rasmussen on the WOR Radio Network. Stations interested in adding “The Rasmussen Report” features to their lineup should contact Willis Damalt at the WOR Radio Network at 212-798-8376 or via email at wdamalt@worradionet.com.

Radio Update: Consumers Cautious, Not Confident

Listen to the latest edition of The Rasmussen Report with noted pollster Scott Rasmussen on the WOR Radio Network. Stations interested in adding “The Rasmussen Report” features to their lineup should contact Willis Damalt at the WOR Radio Network at 212-798-8376 or via email at wdamalt@worradionet.com

71% Say Bribery Common For Companies In Other Countries

Walmart’s Mexico subsidiary is under federal investigation for allegedly paying $24 million in bribes to speed approval of permits and licenses for new stores. But this fraudulent business practice comes as no surprise to most Americans. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 71% of American Adults think bribery is at least somewhat common for companies doing business in other countries, including 37% who believe it is Very Common.  Just 11% don’t think bribery in other countries is common, with two percent (2%) who say it’s Not At All Common. However, 18% are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on April 29-30, 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.

Radio Update: Gas Prices Causing Cut Backs On Discretionary Spending

Listen to the latest edition of The Rasmussen Report with noted pollster Scott Rasmussen on the WOR Radio Network. Stations interested in adding “The Rasmussen Report” features to their lineup should contact Willis Damalt at the WOR Radio Network at 212-798-8376 or via email at wdamalt@worradionet.com

Radio Update: Employment Index Slips For Second Straight Month, But Still Better Than 2011

Listen to the latest edition of The Rasmussen Report with noted pollster Scott Rasmussen on the WOR Radio Network. Stations interested in adding “The Rasmussen Report” features to their lineup should contact Willis Damalt at the WOR Radio Network at 212-798-8376 or via email at wdamalt@worradionet.com

Majority Says GM Ownership Should Have Been Left to Private Sector

A majority of Americans nationwide believe General Motors should have gone through the regular bankruptcy process instead of allowing the federal government to take over in exchange for bailout money. However, they aren’t entirely convinced that the auto company would have been that much better off if it took that route.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 56% of American Adults believe it would have been better if GM had used the regular bankruptcy procedures and left ownership in the private sector. Thirty-two percent (32%) believe it was appropriate for the government to use the special bankruptcy process in exchange for bailout money. Twelve percent (12%) 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 or Facebook.

The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on April 23-24, 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.