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24% Say Stock Market Will Be Stronger in a Year

Few Americans believe the stock market will be higher in the near future. A plurality also still thinks housing prices will take more than three years to recover.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only 24% of American Adults think the stock market will be higher than it is a year from now. Just as many (23%) believe the market will be lower. Thirty-six percent (36%) think it will be about the same. Seventeen percent (17%) are not sure. (To see question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on October 25-26, 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. 

41% Say Economy Will Be Weaker in a Year, 33% Say Stronger

Americans remain pessimistic about the economy's recovery over the next year but continue to have slightly higher hopes for five years from now.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 33% of American Adults believe the U.S. economy will be stronger in a year's time, consistent with findings for the past year. But 41% think the economy will be weaker a year from now, also showing little change over the past few months but down from a recent high of 50% in November 2012. Nineteen percent (19%) expect the economy to remain the same. (To see survey question wording, click here).

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on October 25-26, 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. 

33% Say Financial Industry Bailouts Good for U.S.

Five years after the Wall Street meltdown, nearly half of voters still believe the government bailouts of the financial industry were a bad move, while one-in-three think they were a good idea.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 33% of Likely U.S. Voters feel the government bailouts of the financial sector were good for America. Forty-eight percent (48%) say they were bad for the country. Eighteen percent (18%) aren't sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on October 24-25, 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.

64% Think Another Shutdown Likely in Mid-January

Most voters want a long-term budget deal that cuts federal spending but expect another government shutdown soon because Congress can’t reach such a deal.

Just 15% of Likely U.S. Voters favor a federal budget that increases spending, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Fifty-four percent (54%) prefer a budget that cuts spending instead, while 25% want one that keeps spending levels about the same. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on October 18-19, 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.

51% Say Buying a Home is Best Investment for Families

More Americans now believe buying a home is a good investment, but belief that now is a good time to sell a home is down from its recent high.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 51% of American Adults say buying a home is the best investment most families can make. That's up slightly from the past few months but in line with findings in regular surveys earlier this year and throughout 2012. An all-time high of 67% felt that way in May 2009. Just 22% now feel a home is not a family's best investment, while 27% are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

59% of Homeowners Feel Their Homes Worth More Now

Even more homeowners are confident that their homes have increased in value since they purchased them.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 59% of American homeowners feel that their home is worth more now than when they bought it. That's a three-point increase from 56% in June and the highest level of confidence since October 2011. Twenty-one percent (21%) believe their home is worth less today, consistent with findings since last December. Eighteen percent (18%) think the value of their home is about the same as when they purchased it. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 699 Homeowners was conducted on October 13-14, 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. 

Confidence in Future Home Values Reaches New Highs

Homeowners are more confident than ever in both the short- and long-term values of their homes, and more now say their home is worth more than what they still owe on their mortgage.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 38% of U.S. Homeowners now believe the value of their home will go up over the next year, the highest finding since Rasmussen Reports began regular tracking in April 2009. Just 14% think their home will be worth less in a year, down six points from last month and the lowest since July.  Nearly half (46%) think the value of their home will remain about the same over the next year. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 699 Homeowners was conducted on October 13-14, 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.

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53% Think More Competition, Less Regulation Better for U.S. Financial System

Americans aren't impressed with the federal government's current regulation of the U.S. financial system and think less regulation is the better way to go. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only 12% of American Adults consider the federal government's oversight of the banking industry as good or excellent. Forty-two percent (42%) rate this oversight as poor. (To see survey question wording, click here).

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The national telephone survey of 1000 American Adults was conducted by Rasmussen Reports from October 7-8, 2013. The margin of sampling error for the survey 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% of Adults Trust Their Doctor

Americans overwhelmingly trust their doctor.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 74% of American Adults have a doctor that they see on a regular basis. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on October 5-6, 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.

68% Say Government Not Tough Enough on Wall Street Crime

Several employees of disgraced financier Bernard Madoff are going on trial this week for their part in orchestrating one of the biggest Ponzi schemes in history, but many Americans still believe others in the financial industry are getting away with too much.

Just 14% of American Adults believe the federal government has been aggressive enough in pursuing possible criminal behavior on Wall Street, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Sixty-eight percent (68%) don’t think the federal government has been aggressive enough in this area. Eighteen percent (18%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on October 7-8, 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.

28% Think Doctors Are Paid Too Much

Most Americans recognize the importance of the medical profession, but nearly three-out-of-10 think doctors make too much money.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 56% of American Adults think being a doctor is one of the most important jobs in the country today. Thirty percent (30%) disagree. Fourteen percent (14%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on October 5-6, 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.

62% Think U.S. Likely To Default on Debt

Americans are more fearful of another economic meltdown these days, and belief that the U.S. government will default on its debt has jumped from six months ago.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 68% of American adults now think it is at least somewhat likely that the United States soon will face another financial industry meltdown similar to the 2008 crisis, with 35% who say it is Very Likely. In April, 59% felt another meltdown is likely in the near future, including 26% who said it is Very Likely.

Twenty-two percent (22%) believe another meltdown is unlikely anytime soon, but that includes only two percent (2%) who say it’s Not At All Likely. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on October 7-8, 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% of Workers Consider Themselves Middle Class

Many working Americans expect to earn more money a year from now, and most continue to consider themselves middle class.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 42% of Working Americans believe their earnings will be higher a year from today, up from 39% in August and the highest level of optimism since the beginning of the year. Thirteen percent (13%) expect to earn less in a year's time, while 39% believe their earnings will be about the same. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 678 Employed Adults was conducted on October 1-2, 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.

40% Say Working Somewhere Else Offers Better Career Opportunities

American workers are evenly divided over whether their current employer offers them the best chance for advancement, but most are staying put for now. One-in-four Employed Americans (24%) is looking for work outside his or her current company, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Seventy-two percent (72%) are not. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

64% Think Spending Cuts Best for Economy

Voters remain closely divided over how involved the government should get in the economy, but they continue to believe strongly that cutting spending is the best economic course to follow. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 43% of Likely U.S. Voters are more worried that the government will do too much in reacting to current economic problems. Slightly more (47%) worry that the government won’t do enough. Eleven percent (11%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on September 18-19, 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.

Voters Question Fed’s Independence

With a change of leadership pending, voters remain skeptical of the Federal Reserve’s independence and continue to think the nation’s central bank is overly influenced by the president and big bankers.

Forty-two percent (42%) of Likely U.S. Voters now have at least a somewhat favorable opinion of the Federal Reserve, while 48% view it unfavorably, according to the latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. This includes 11% with a Very Favorable opinion and 19% with a Very Unfavorable one. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on September 18-19, 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.

58% Expect Higher Interest Rates Next Year

Most Americans continue to expect higher interest rates in a year’s time, while the number already paying higher rates remains at a high.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 58% of American Adults think interest rates will be higher in a year. That’s up two points from August and the highest level of pessimism since early 2011. From July 2009 to early May 2011, this finding generally remained in the mid-to-high 50s but stayed in the 40s over the past couple years. 

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

New High: 39% Say Now Is A Good Time To Sell A House

While only half of Americans continue to think purchasing a home is a family’s best investment, more than ever believe now is a good time to sell. 

Fifty percent (50%) of American Adults say buying a home is the best investment most families can make, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey.  Twenty-nine percent (29%) disagree, while 22% are not sure.  (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

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

36% Are Confident Fed Can Keep Inflation, Interest Rates Down

As the conversation heats up over who will be the next chairman of the Federal Reserve Board, confidence in the system’s ability to keep inflation under control remains low. 

Just 36% of American Adults are at least somewhat confident that the Federal Reserve Board can keep interest rates down and inflation under control, including six percent (6%) who are Very Confident. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 58% lack that confidence, with 17% who are Not At All Confident. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

50% Lack Confidence in Stability of U.S. Banking Industry

Five years after the collapse of Lehman Brothers, half of Americans still lack confidence in the stability of the nation’s banking system. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 46% of American Adults say they are at least somewhat confident in the stability of the U.S. banking industry, but that includes only seven percent (7%) who are Very Confident.  Fifty percent (50%) lack confidence in the banking industry today, with 14% who are Not At All Confident.  (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

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