Business

51% Are Confident in Nation's Banks

Americans began the year with the most optimistic views of the nation’s banks since before the Wall Street meltdown, but that confidence now has fallen back to levels seen for much of last year.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 51% of American Adults are now at least somewhat confident in the stability of the U.S. banking industry,although that includes only 15% who are Very Confident. Forty-four percent (44%) don't share that confidence, with 14% 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 February 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.

49% Say Buying a Home is Best Investment for Families

Just about half of Americans think buying a home is a good investment, while the belief that now is a good time to sell a home remains steady.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 49% of American Adults say buying a home is the best investment most families can make. This is down slightly from December but is in line with findings in regular surveys throughout 2012 and 2013. An all-time high of 67% felt that way in May 2009. Twenty-seven percent (27%) now feel a home is not a family’s best investment, while 24% 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 February 11-12, 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.

25% Believe Gov't Should Assist Those Who Can’t Make Mortgage Payments

Most homeowners continue to say they have not missed a mortgage payment in the last six months and fewer than ever expect to in the near future. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just five percent (5%) of U.S. Homeowners admit to missing or being late on a mortgage payment in the last six months. Ninety-three percent (93%) have not missed or been late on a payment, up slightly from 91% in December. (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 610 Adult Homeowners and 1,000 American Adults was conducted on February 11-12, 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.

35% Expect Their Home’s Value To Go Up Over Next Year

The number of homeowners who say their home is worth more than what they owe on their mortgage has increased after a weak start to 2014. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 61% of homeowners feel the value of their home is more than what they owe on their mortgage. That is up from 53% in January, which was the lowest level of confidence ever measured for the month of January since Rasmussen Reports began regular tracking on this question in April 2009. Twenty-eight percent (28%) now say their home is not worth more than they owe, down from 32% in January. 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 610 Adult Homeowners was conducted on February 11-12, 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.

42% Expect to Earn More A Year From Now

Working Americans remain pretty optimistic about their paychecks.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 42% of working Americans think they will be earning more money a year from today. That's down just one point from December which tied for the highest level of confidence measured since April 2009. Just six percent (6%) predict they will be making less money in a year’s time. Forty-five percent (45%) expect their income to 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 Facebook.

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

39% Say Next Job Will Be Better than Current One

One-in-four workers are not willing to commit to their current job.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 24% of Employed Adults are looking for a job outside of their current company, consistent with surveys for the past three years. A sizable majority (71%) still says it’s not looking for a job elsewhere. But that's up from 64% in December, the lowest finding in regular surveying since the spring of 2009. (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 February 3-4, 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.

Rasmussen Employment Index Holds Steady in January

The Rasmussen Employment Index which measures worker confidence rose less than half a point in January, just barely continuing the upward trend it began in November.

At 90.2, worker confidence is still at its highest level since June but is down five points from the all-time high of 94.4 in May of last year. The index hit a low for 2013 of 81.2 in October. It stood at 87.1 in January 2013.

Generally speaking, an increase in the Rasmussen Employment Index suggests the upcoming government report on job creation will be stronger than the prior month’s report.

(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 9,060 working Americans was conducted in January 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 1 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

24% Say Their Home is Worth Less Than When They Bought It

Most homeowners continue to believe their home is worth more now than when they bought it, but slightly more are now saying their home’s value has gone down.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 58% of American Homeowners believe their home is worth more today. That's down just one point from November and consistent with regular surveying for the past year. But one-in-four (24%) now say their home is worth less than when they purchased it, a five-point increase from November and the highest level of pessimism since June. Sixteen percent (16%) think their home's value hasn't changed much, down from 20% in the previous survey. (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 670 Adult Homeowners was conducted on January 16-17, 2013 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. 

50% Still Expect Higher Interest Rates A Year From Now

Most Americans continue to say the interest rates they're paying haven't changed over the past year, but half expect those rates to rise over the coming year.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 62% of American Adults report paying about the same interest rates as they were a year ago. Twenty percent (20%) say they are paying higher interest rates now, up from 17% in November. Ten percent (10%) are paying lower interest rates than they were this time last year: That's down five points from two months ago and the lowest number who report paying less since April 2011. (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 January 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.

34% Favor Legal Online Gambling In Their State

New Jersey legalized online gambling late last year, and eight other states have pending legislation to do the same. But opposition to Internet gambling is growing, and half of Americans don’t want it in their state.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 36% of American Adults think individuals should be allowed to gamble on the Internet. Forty-seven percent (47%) disagree and oppose Internet gambling. Seventeen percent (17%) 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 national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on January 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.

35% Expect Their Home's Value To Go Up Over Next Year

The pre-2014 optimism among homeowners seems to have softened a bit with the number who say their home is worth more than what they owe on the mortgage down from recent highs.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 53% feel the value of their home is more than what they owe. That's down from 62% in December, the highest finding since Rasmussen Reports began regular tracking on this question in April 2009. It’s also down from 58% in November and October. Thirty-two percent (32%) now say their home is not worth more than the amount they owe, up from 24% in December. 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 670 Adult Homeowners was conducted on January 16-17, 2013 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.

45% Trust Fed to Keep Inflation, Interest Rates Under Control

Confidence in the Federal Reserve’s ability to keep inflation and interest rates down is at its highest level in over a year.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 45% of American Adults are at least somewhat confident that the Fed can keep inflation and interest rates down, but that includes just 10% who are Very Confident. Fifty percent (50%) lack that confidence, with 13% 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 national telephone survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted by Rasmussen Reports on January 14-15, 2014. The margin of sampling error for the survey 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.

29% Favor Phasing Out the Penny

The U.S. Mint reports it costs 2.41 cents to produce one penny, but support for getting rid of the coin is at an all-time low.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 29% favor a proposal to stop making pennies in the United States. Fifty percent (50%) oppose such a proposal, but 21% more 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 January 12-13, 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. 

49% Have Gone A Week Without Paying Cash

Fewer Americans are paying by cash these days, and half now say they’ve gone through a week without paying for anything in cash and coins.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 20% of American Adults say they pay cash for groceries, compared to 24% in April 2012. Twenty-eight percent (28%) pay cash at a restaurant, but that’s down from 32% two years ago. In 2012, most (52%) still paid cash when they went to the movies, but now just 39% buy their tickets that way.

(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 January 12-13, 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. Banking System Climbs to Post-Meltdown High

Americans are starting off 2014 with their most optimistic view of the nation's banks since before the Wall Street meltdown.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 56% of American Adults are now confident in the stability of the U.S. banking industry, including 11% who are Very Confident. Forty-one percent (41%) are not as confident, with 10% 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 Adults was conducted on January 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.

46% Believe Long-Term Unemployment Benefits Increase Unemployment

Congress is considering a proposal to extend long-term unemployment benefits, but a sizable number of Americans believes such an extension will just add to the problem.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that a plurality (47%) of American Adults thinks long-term unemployment benefits hurt the economy. Twenty-eight percent (28%) say those benefits help the economy, while 13% believe they have no impact. Just as many (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 and Facebook.

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

10% Think Government Employees Work Harder Than Those in Private Sector

Americans continue to believe that government workers are better off than those employed in the private sector. Forty-six percent (46%) of American Adults think the average government worker earns more annually than the average private sector worker, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Thirty percent (30%) disagree, while 24% are undecided. (To see survey questions, 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 January 6-7, 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.

46% Favor Extending Unemployment Benefits, 39% Oppose

Voters narrowly favor a proposal now before Congress to extend combined unemployment benefits for up to 73 weeks.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 46% of American Adults favor a proposal now before Congress that would continue combined state and federal unemployment benefits for up to 73 weeks for those unable to find a job. Thirty-nine percent (39%) oppose this proposal now being pushed by Senate Democrats and President Obama. Fifteen percent (15%) 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 and Facebook.

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

15% Favor Extending Unemployment Benefits Indefinitely

Support for extending unemployment benefits is up slightly, but more than twice as many Americans still think the federal government should do nothing at all to help the long-term unemployed.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 15% of American Adults believe the federal government should extend unemployment benefits indefinitely for those who can’t find work after an extended period of time. That's up from 10% in November and the highest level of support since June 2011. Essentially unchanged from past surveys are the 11% who think the government should just hire the long-term unemployed. Twenty-nine percent (29%) prefer the short-term solution of paying for their retraining, consistent with surveying for the past couple years.

(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 January 6-7, 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 Low: 25% Think Job Market Worse Than a Year Ago

Most Americans still know someone out of work and looking for a job, but they’re much less pessimistic about the current job market.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 25% of American Adults believe the job market today is better than it was a year ago. That's up six points from November but consistent with findings for much of the last year-and-a-half. Just as many (25%) think the job market’s worse than a year ago, but that’s down 13 points from November and the lowest level of pessimism in nearly four years of regular surveying. Forty-eight percent (48%) think the job market is about the same as it was a year 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 and Facebook.

The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on January 6-7, 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.