General Business

Americans Think Free Trade Good for Consumers, Bad for U.S. Jobs

Americans are a little less enthusiastic about free trade, even though they admit it’s better for consumers. But they’re also more likely now to see it as a job killer. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 800 Adults was conducted on April 22-23, 2015 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3.5 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 Define Middle Class, Think Politicians Don’t Agree

Candidates across the political spectrum promise to help the middle class by cutting taxes. But most Americans think those candidates don’t even agree on who makes up the middle class, and they don’t believe their promises to cut taxes. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 800 Adults was conducted on April 14-15, 2015 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

What's the Diagnosis for Interest Rates and Debt?

Americans continue to say they are paying higher interest rates than they were a year ago and expect to pay even more a year from now.

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The survey of 800 American Adults was conducted on February 17-18, 2015 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Will You Be Spending More at the Grocery Store?

Just as beginning-of-the-year confidence in the banking industry has faded, concerns about rising grocery prices have returned to levels seen for the last three years.

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The survey of 800 Adults was conducted on February 17-18, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Bank Trust Tumbles Back Down

Confidence in the nation's banks has fallen back tolevels seen most months for the past three years.

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The survey of 800 Adults was conducted on February 17-18, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Debt Up; Interest Rates, Too?

Americans are sending positive signals about much of the economy, but they still remain deeper in debt than they were last year at this time. They also continue to think higher interest rates are coming on the money they owe.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 29% of American Adults say they owe more money than they did a year ago. That's unchanged from December and consistent with surveying since last summer. But just 23% said they owed more money in January of last year. Thirty-two percent (32%) say they owe less money than they did a year ago, while for 36% their level of debt is about the same. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 800 American Adults was conducted on January 18-19, 2015 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3.5 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 Beginning to Wind Down?

Concern about inflation appears to be trending down, and Americans are more confident in the federal government to handle it.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 70% of American Adults are still at least somewhat concerned about inflation, with 29% who are Very Concerned. Just 25% don't share that concern, and that includes only five percent (5%) who are Not At All Concerned. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 800 Adults was conducted on January 18-19, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3.5 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 America’s Banks Is Up, Too

Americans are starting 2015 off with their most positive view of the country’s banking system since before the Wall Street meltdown.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 60% of American Adults are at least somewhat confident in the stability of the U.S. banking system, including 10% who are Very Confident. This overall finding is up 10 points from the 2014 low found in December. It is the highest finding since July 2008 before the Wall Street meltdown and the federal bailout of the financial system.

Thirty-two percent (32%) are still not confident in the stability of the banking industry, with seven percent (7%) who are Not At All Confident. The overall finding is down 12 points from December and is the lowest finding in nearly seven years. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 800 Adults was conducted on January 18-19, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Cash No Longer Reigns Supreme

Paper or plastic? A common question at the grocery store might now refer to your wallet rather than your shopping bags.

Over half (53%) of American Adults now say they’ve gone an entire week without paying for anything with cash or coins, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. That’s up from 49% a year ago and 43% in 2012. Thirty-nine percent (39%) have not, down six points from 2014. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 800 Adults was conducted on January 12-13, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Leading Economic Indicators Back to Pre-2008 Levels

Has the U.S. economy finally turned the corner? Our regular economic indicators suggest that something other than traditional beginning-of-the year optimism is going on.

Daily confidence among consumers and investors as measured by the Rasmussen Reports Consumer and Investor Index has steadily increased over the past several weeks. On Monday, the consumer and investor indexes reached 116 and 132.1 respectively, the highest findings since 2007. While it is generally typical to observe a spike in overall confidence at the start of the year, these are surges not seen since well before the 2008 financial meltdown.

Detailed supplemental information, including a daily history and month-by-month trend data, is available for Platinum Members. 

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Americans Used Postal Service More This Holiday Season

The U.S. Postal Service was the deliverer of choice for more Americans this holiday season.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 61% of American Adults used the Postal Service about the same as they have in previous years. Sixteen percent (16%) say they used the USPS more this holiday season, while 21% say they used it less. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

Debt's Up at Year's End

Americans are ending the year more in debt than they were at the beginning of 2014.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 29% of American Adults say they owe more money than they did a year ago. That's consistent with findings since the summer but up six points from 23% in mid-January. Thirty-two percent (32%) say they owe less money than they did a year ago, unchanged from the beginning of the year. Thirty-six percent (36%) say they owe just as much now as they did back then. (To see survey question wording, click here).

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

Most Americans Still Expect Food Prices to Rise

Americans remain worried about inflation but are a bit less pessimistic about rising food prices that they have been in months.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 69% of American Adults are at least somewhat concerned about inflation, down from 74% last month and just below October’s previous all-time low of 70%. Twenty-six percent (26%) are not concerned about inflation. This includes 32% who are Very Concerned and just five percent (5%) 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 December 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.

Half of Adults Trust America's Banks

With confidence in U.S. banks remaining below levels measure before the 2008 financial meltdown, one-third of Americans fear they will lose their money due to bank failure.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 31% of American Adults are at least somewhat concerned they will lose their money due to a bank failure, down only slightly from November. Sixty-five percent (65%) are not worried about losing their money. This includes eight percent (8%) who are Very Worried and 25% who are Not At All Worried about losing money in a bank failure. These findings are consistent with attitudes for nearly six 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 December 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.

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.)

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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.

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.

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.

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.)

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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.)

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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.)

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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.