General Business

44% Think Interest Rates Will Be Higher In A Year

Few Americans say they are paying higher interest rates than they were a year ago, but many expect that to change moving forward.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 44% of American Adults believe interest rates will be higher a year from today. Just seven percent (7%) expect rates to be lower, while 37% say they’ll be 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 American Adults was conducted on May 16-17, 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.

48% Confident In Stability of U.S. Banking Industry

Confidence in the U.S. banking system is up from last month but still well below where it was five years ago.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 48% of American Adults are at least somewhat confident in the stability of the U.S. banking industry today, but that includes only 10% who are Very Confident. Forty-eight percent (48%) lack confidence in the banking system, with 12% who are Not At All Confident in its stability. (To see survey question wording,click here.) 

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on May 16-17, 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 Requiring Retailers to Publish Where Clothes Are Made

The horrific factory collapse in Bangladesh more than two weeks ago that left more than 1,100 people dead has put the human toll of producing cheap clothing and other products back in the minds of many. While fewer than half of Americans make an effort to only buy clothes made domestically, they support requirements for apparel companies to report where their clothes are made and details about working conditions in those countries.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 61% of U.S. Adults believe all apparel retailers should be required to report or display online where their products are manufactured and what labor conditions are like in those factories. Twenty-four percent (24%) oppose this requirement. Another 16% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

49% Think It's Very Fair for Successful Businessmen to Get Rich

Most voters believe it is not only fair that people who build successful companies become rich, but it also helps the economy in the process.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 60% of Likely U.S. Voters think letting entrepreneurs get rich helps the economy. Just 13% say it hurts the economy. Ten percent (10%) think it has no impact, and 18% are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on May 1-2, 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.

47% Think Full Housing Recovery More Than Three Years Away

Americans continue to worry about the economy but remain slightly more confident in the full recovery of the housing market.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 47% of American Adults still think it will take more than three years for housing prices to fully recover from the downturn that began in 2008. But this is the second month in a row that number has dipped below the 50% mark and, generally speaking, reflects slightly more optimism than Americans have had since mid-2010. Seventeen percent (17%) think it will take the housing market three years to fully recover; 14% say two years, and six percent (6%) believe the housing market can recover in just one year. Sixteen percent (16%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults nationwide was conducted on April 28-29, 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. 

31% Think U.S. Economy Will Be Stronger A Year From Now

Americans continue to express little short- or long-term confidence in the U.S. economy. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 41% of American Adults think the economy will be stronger five years from today. That's up from an all-time low of 36% four weeks ago and more in line with findings for the past year. Twenty-seven percent (27%) predict that the economy will be weaker five years from now, while 17% think it will be about the same. Fifteen percent (15%) 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 American Adults nationwide was conducted on April 28-29, 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% Think Bank Bailouts Were Bad for the U.S.

More than four years have passed since the federal government began bailing out troubled big banks and other financial institutions, and most voters still think those bailouts were a bad idea. 

Fifty-six percent (56%) of Likely U.S. Voters believe the financial industry bailouts were bad for the United States. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only 26% think those bailouts were good for the country. Eighteen percent (18%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on April 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.

81% Are Paying More For Groceries

Most adults continue to say they are paying more for groceries than they were a year ago, and they expect that amount to be even higher next year.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 81% of American Adults are paying more for groceries than they were a year ago, down from 86% in March but generally in line with previous findings. Just 12% say their grocery bills are no higher than they were last year. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on April 14-15, 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.

47% Predict Higher Interest Rates Next Year

Though most Americans say the interest rates they’re paying are little changed from a year ago, nearly half expect interest rates to be higher a year from now.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 47% of American Adults believe interest rates will be a higher in one year. Just four percent (4%) expect rates to be lower, while 34% say they’ll be about the same. Fifteen percent (15%) 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 American Adults was conducted on April 14-15, 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.

37% Say Most U.S. Workers Are Dishonest To Get Ahead

Fewer Americans now believe that dishonesty is a common practice used to get ahead in the workplace. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 37% of Adults say most working Americans do something dishonest to get ahead at some point in their careers, but that’s down from 52% measured last July.

Forty percent (40%) don’t think employees use dishonesty for career advancement, up from 28% in the previous survey.  Another 23% are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on April 8-9, 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.

43% Are Confident in Stability of U.S. Banking System

Confidence in the American banking industry has once again slipped below 50%.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that just 43% of American Adults are at least somewhat confident in the stability of the U.S. banking system. That includes only seven percent (7%) who are Very Confident. A majority (52%) now lacks confidence in the banking system, with 16% who are Not At All Confident in its stability. (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on April 14-15, 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. Seemethodology.

15% Expect Obama, Congress To Really Cut Spending

Even if Congress and President Obama reach a budget deal, voters aren’t optimistic that it will include real spending cuts.

Sometimes when politicians use the phrase “spending cuts,” they really mean just a reduction in the growth of spending. Only 15% of Likely U.S. Voters think any plan agreed to by the president and Congress will really cut federal spending. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 65% believe it will merely reduce the growth of future spending instead. Twenty percent (20%) aren’t sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on April 9-10, 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.

34% Say U.S. Has Crony Capitalist Economic System

Americans are almost evenly divided when asked if the United States has a free market economy or a crony capitalist one. This helps explain why they think more government involvement in the marketplace makes it less fair.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 36% of American Adults believe the United States has a system of free market capitalism. But nearly as many (34%) view it as a crony capitalist system. Twenty-nine percent (29%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on April 8-9, 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 Most Rich People Earned Their Money Through Hard Work

Most Americans still believe most rich people earned their money the hard way – by working for it.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 55% of Likely U.S. Voters think, generally speaking, that most people get rich by working hard. Twenty-three percent (23%) believe most get their wealth by inheriting it, while 10% think they were lucky. Twelve percent (12%) aren’t sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on April 1-2, 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.

Just 19% Think Stock Market Will Be Higher in a Year

Long-term economic confidence is at its lowest level yet, and Americans remain pessimistic about the housing and stock markets, too.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 19% of American Adults think the stock market will be higher a year from today, a finding which has been trending down from a high of 25% in December. Thirty percent (30%) believe it will be lower in a year's time, while 37% think it will be about the same. Another 13% are not sure.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults nationwide was conducted on March 31-April 1, 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.

48% See Government As More Concerned With Making Wall Street Firms Profitable

In the wake of economic crises in Cyprus and other European nations like Greece, Ireland and Italy, nearly half of American Adults think the federal government puts more focus on making Wall Street profitable than on making sure the United States financial system works well for all Americans.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 48% of American Adults think the federal government is more concerned with making Wall Street firms profitable, while just 27% think they are more concerned with making sure the U.S. financial system works well for all Americans. One-in-four (25%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults nationwide was conducted on March 27-28, 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. 

Just 36% Expect Stronger Economy in Five Years

Long-term economic confidence continues to fall and is now at its lowest level yet.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only 36% of American Adults think the U.S. economy will be stronger five years from today. Just as many (36%) think it will be weaker. Eleven percent (11%) believe the nation’s economy will be about the same in five years, but another 17% are not sure.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults nationwide was conducted on March 31-April 1, 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.

59% Say Another 2008 Financial Meltdown Likely

While confidence in the U.S. banking industry has rebounded slightly, most Americans fear the financial industry is heading towards another downturn like the one in 2008.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 59% of American Adults think it’s at least somewhat likely that the United States will soon face another financial industry meltdown similar to the 2008 crisis.  Thirty percent (30%) think this is unlikely to occur.  These figures include 26% who feel another Great Recession is Very Likely, compared to four percent (4%) who feel 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 1,000 American Adults nationwide was conducted on March 27-28, 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.

46% Think Feds Might Try To Tax Bank Accounts Like Cyprus

Americans don’t believe the federal government has the constitutional authority to tax bank deposits as they did in Cyprus, but a plurality worries they might try it anyhow.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 46% of American Adults think it’s at least somewhat likely that the U.S. government might try to tax money in individual bank accounts. Nearly as many (41%), however, view this as unlikely to occur Thirteen percent (13%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults nationwide was conducted on March 27-28, 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.

66% Oppose Cyprus Bailout Plan to Tax Bank Deposits

Most Americans don’t approve of the decision to tax bank accounts as part of a bank bailout in Cyprus but think it’s likely other European countries will resort to similar plans to fight their massive deficit problems.