Business

Confidence in Housing Market Shows Little Change

Homeowners remain fairly confident in their home’s short- and long-term value, and most still think it’s worth more than what they owe on their mortgage.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 36% of Adult Homeowners think the value of their home will go up over the next year, down from November’s all-time high of 40%. Twelve percent (12%) believe their home’s value will go down next year, but nearly half (47%) say it will remain 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 637 American Homeowners was conducted on December 12-13, 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.

Voters Say Spending Cuts Help the Economy

Following the U.S. House of Representatives' narrow passage of a spending bill hours before deadline, voters continue to believe that cutting government spending - and taxes - is the best present the federal government can give the economy this holiday season.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 54% of Likely U.S. Voters believe that increases in government spending hurt the economy. Twenty-six percent (26%) think spending increases help the economy, while seven percent (7%) say it will have no impact. These are all line in with findings from the past few years. Fourteen percent (14%) 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 Likely Voters was conducted on December 9-10, 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.

Americans Remain Confident They're Getting A Pay Raise

One-out-of-two working Americans expect a pay raise in the coming year, but those who classify themselves as the working poor are much less optimistic.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 11% of Employed Americans consider themselves poor. The vast majority (86%), however, view themselves as middle class, with 21% who describe themselves as upper middle class. Just one percent (1%) say they are wealthy. These findings are generally consistent with regular surveying since early 2009 just after the Wall Street meltdown. (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 623 Employed Adults was conducted on December 2-3, 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.

That Next Job Doesn't Look Quite As Good

Fewer working Americans think the grass will be greener at their next job.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 38% of Employed Americans still believe their next job will be better than their current one  but that's down from a recent high of 44% in late July and the lowest level of confidence in a year. Just 11% think their next job won’t be better, while 22% plan to retire after their current job. Twenty-nine percent (29%) don’t know what to expect when they move on. (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 623 Employed Adults was conducted on December 2-3, 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.

It's a Familiar Holiday Refrain: Charge It!

Whether they are among the one-third of likely Black Friday shoppers or not, just over half of Americans say they won't be putting their holiday purchases on plastic this year.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 43% of American Credit Card Holders plan to pay for most of their holiday gifts this year with a credit card. But 51% do not intend to pay that way. Six percent (6%) 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. 

This survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on November 23-24, 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.

Americans Worry About Credit Card Use But Not Their Own

There remains a large gap between the number of adults who feel most Americans use their credit cards too much and the number who think those overspenders include them.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 82% of American Adults have at least one credit card, including 40% who have three or more. Forty-two percent (42%) report having one or two credit cards. Just 16% say they don’t have any. (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. 

This survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on November 23-24, 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.

48% Expect Higher Interest Rates Next Year

While most Americans say their interest rates haven’t changed over the past year, roughly half still expect them to go up over the next 12 months.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 19% of American Adults say they’re paying higher interest rates today than they were a year ago, in line with surveys the past few months but down from 24% in June and July.

Twelve percent (12%) are paying lower rates than a year ago. Most Americans (63%) say their interest rates have stayed about the same, also in line with recent surveys. (To see survey questions 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 November 15-16, 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.

37% Think Now's A Good Time to Put A Home on the Market

Americans still believe in the value of a home as a family investment, and they remain more confident that now is a good time to sell.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 52% of American Adults say buying a home is the best investment most families can make. Twenty-seven percent (27%) disagree, but 20% are not sure. This is generally in line with surveys over the past five 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 or Facebook.

The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on November 13-14, 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. 

Inflation Worries Remain High

Most adults continue to be concerned about inflation but show slightly more confidence in the Federal Reserve to control it.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 74% of American Adults are still concerned about inflation. Just 22% are not. These findings include 36% who are Very Concerned and just four percent (4%) 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 or Facebook.

The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on November 15-16, 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.

64% Say Their Home is Worth More Than When They Bought It

Homeowners remain confident they know much their home is worth in today’s market and more than ever think that it's are worth more than when they bought it. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 84% of American Homeowners say they are confident they know how much their home is worth in today’s market. That is up slightly from September but is in line with surveys since 2011. Just 13% say they aren’t confident they know their home’s value in today’s market, down slightly from September. These findings include 44% who are Very Confident and two percent (2%) 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 673 American Homeowners was conducted on November 13-14, 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.

54% Are Confident in U.S. Banks

Confidence in the U.S. banking system is inching near this year’s high but still remains below the level of confidence measured before the 2009 financial meltdown.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 54% of American Adults are at least somewhat confident in the stability of the U.S. banking industry today, including 12% who are Very Confident. This overall finding is up just one point from October but up from 50% in September.

Forty-two percent (42%) are still not confident in the banking industry, including 11% 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 1,000 American Adults was conducted on November 15-16, 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.

New High: 40% Think Home’s Value Will Go Up In Next Year

Homeowners’ short-term confidence in their home’s value has hit its highest level yet, and long-term optimism is looking up as well.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 40% of American Homeowners now expect their home’s value to increase in the next year. This is up five points from October and the highest level of short-term optimism to date. Thirteen percent (13%) say the value will go down in that period, nearly unchanged from previous survey. Forty-four percent (44%) believe it will stay about the same in the next year, in line with recent surveys. Three percent (3%) 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 673 American Homeowners was conducted on November 13-14, 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.

Confidence in U.S. Job Market Jumps

More Americans than ever now believe it is possible for anyone in need of a job to land one.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 61% of American Adults say it is possible for anyone who really wants to work to find a job. That’s up from 52% in July and the highest level measured in over five years of regular tracking. Twenty-eight percent (28%) disagree and don’t think it’s possible for anyone who wants to work to land a job, while 11% 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 American Adults was conducted on October 20-21, 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.

Americans Say Private Sector Works Harder Than Government Employees

Americans continue to believe that private sector employees work harder than government workers. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just nine percent (9%) of Americans believe government employees work harder than those in the private sector, unchanged from September. Sixty-one percent (61%) think private sector employees work harder. This finding is down eight points from previous survey and is the lowest finding since September 2013. Thirty percent (30%) are not sure, up seven points from September. (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 1,000 Adults was conducted on November 1-2, 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.

New High: 35% Say Job Market Better Than a Year Ago

As voters headed to the polls this week to express their displeasure with the White House and Congress, Americans were also expressing more optimism in the job market than they have in years. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 35% of American Adults believe the job market is better than it was a year ago. That is up five points from September and is the highest level measured in more than four years of regular tracking. Twenty-three percent (23%) say the job market is worse than it was a year ago, also the lowest negative assessment on record. Another 39% believe the situation is 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 1,000 Adults was conducted on November 1-2, 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.

Fewer Think U.S. Will Have Another Great Depression

Short- and long-term outlooks for the U.S. economy are better than they’ve been in more than a year, and Americans are less concerned than ever about another 1930’s-like depression.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 27% of American Adults think it’s at least somewhat likely that the United States will enter another Great Depression in the next few years. Nearly two-thirds of adults (62%) think it’s unlikely. Americans were much more closely divided on this question in surveys dating back to 2009. This is a dramatic new low since then for the likelihood of another economic depression. (To see survey questions 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 October 20-21, 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.

Half of Americans Still Expect Interest Rates to Rise

While the majority of adults nationwide say they are paying similar interest rates as they were a year ago, nearly half expect those rates to go up next year.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 18% say they’re paying higher interest rates than they were a year ago, generally unchanged from the previous two months, but down from 24% in June and July. Just 14% are paying lower rates than they were a year ago. Most Americans (60%) say their interest rates are about the same as last year. (To see survey questions 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 October 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.

Are Inflation Worries Lessening?

Americans remain concerned about inflation and continue to doubt whether the Federal Reserve Board can keep it under control.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 70% of American Adults are still concerned about inflation. Just 26% are not. These findings include 31% who are Very Concerned and just seven percent (7%) 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 or Facebook.

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

53% Confident in U.S. Banking System

Confidence in the banking system remains unchanged from recent surveys but it's still down quite a bit from before the 2009 financial meltdown.

Americans remain generally confident in the U.S. banking system, and fewer are concerned about losing their money to bank failure.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 53% of American Adults are at least somewhat confident in the stability of the U.S. banking industry today, including 12% who are Very Confident. That’s up slightly from September but generally in line with recent surveys.

Forty-one percent (41%) are not confident in the banking industry, the lowest since the beginning of the year. This includes 11% 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 1,000 American Adults was conducted on October 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.

53% Say Buying a Home is a Family's Best Investment

Americans continue to say that buying a house is a good investment for families.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 53% of American Adults think buying a home is the best investment most families can make, generally in line with surveys over the past five years. Twenty-eight percent (28%) do not think buying a home is a family’s best investment, up slightly from previous months. Nineteen percent (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 American Adults was conducted on October 14-15, 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.