Business

September Employment Index Rebounds Slightly From Recent Low

After falling to a 10-month low in August, the Rasmussen Employment Index rebounded slightly in September. At 76.6, the Employment Index is up five points from a month ago  but still down four points from July. With the exception of the last month, this is the lowest level of confidence measured since October of last year.

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

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The survey of 8,975 working Americans was conducted in September 2012 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.

49% Think America Weaker Today Than It Was Four Years Ago

Most voters don't rate the United State stronger today than it was four years ago when it comes to race relations, opportunities for women and young people and America’s relationships overseas.

Forty-nine percent (49%) of Likely U.S. Voters, in fact, think America as a nation is weaker now than it was in late 2008. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 29% believe the country is stronger today, while 18% consider it about the same. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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This survey of 1,000 Likely Voters nationwide was conducted on September 27-28, 2012 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.

23% Believe Today's Children Will Be Better Off Than Their Parents

The good news is that the number of Americans who believe today’s children will be better off than their parents is at its highest level of 2012. The bad news is that three-out-of-four Americans don't agree or aren't sure.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults shows that 23% believe today’s children will be better off than their parents. Fifty-nine percent (59%) disagree, and 18% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)    

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on September 22-23, 2012 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.

44% Think Fed Chairman Influenced by President

Belief among Americans that the Federal Reserve Board chairman has too much economic clout has softened a bit from previous years, but a plurality continues to feel the chairman of the independent agency is influenced in his decision making by the president.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults shows that 41% believe the chairman of the Federal Reserve has too much power over the economy. Six percent (6%) say the chairman does not have enough power, while 38% say the level is about right. Another 15% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on September 20-21, 2012 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% Predict More Than Three Years for Housing Market to Fully Recover

Most Americans still don't see a full recovery of the housing and stock markets in the next three years.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 50% of American Adults think it will take more than three years for housing prices to fully recover from the downturn that began in 2008. That's down slightly from 52% in August  and 57% in June, the most negative assessment of the housing market since regular tracking began in January 2009.

Just five percent (5%) think full recovery is likely to occur within the next year. Fifteen percent (15%) say recovery is three years away, while 10% say it's two years away.  Twenty percent (20%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on September 22-23, 2012 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 Government Should Help Troubled Mortgage Holders

More Americans than ever think that if someone can’t afford their mortgage payments, the government should help them.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 56% of American Adults still think that if someone can't afford to make their increased mortgage payments, it's better for them to sell their home and buy a less expensive one. But now 31% say the better option is for the government to assist them in making their mortgage payments. That's up from 22% in July. Thirteen percent (13%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults nationwide was conducted on September 16-17, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error 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.

Americans Like Free Trade But Like Protective Tariffs Better

A sizable number of Americans still see free trade as a good thing for the country, but they’re evenly divided over whether it’s a job killer or a job creator. That helps explain why most favor protective tariffs on countries that pay their workers less than we do.

55% Think Government Doesn’t Protect U.S. Industries Enough from Overseas Competitors

Most Americans blame the country’s bad economy on government policies at home rather than on overseas competitors, but they’d like to see the U.S. government protect domestic companies more. The latest Rasmussen Reports national survey finds that 59% of American Adults think the economic policies of the U.S. government are a bigger factor in creating the current problems with the economy than unfair business practices by countries like China and the ongoing economic problems in Europe. Only 12% blame unfair business practices by overseas competitors more, while just as many (11%) see the debt crisis and other problems in Europe as chiefly at fault. Eighteen percent (18%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on September 24-25, 2012 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% Think U.S. Has Best Economy in the World

Americans are slightly more optimistic about the nation’s economic standing globally and are a lot more confident about those who advise President Obama on the economy.

Still, just 36% of American Adults think the United States has the best economy in the world, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Forty-seven percent (47%) believe the U.S. economy is not the world’s best. Seventeen percent (17%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on September 20-21, 2012 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.

Only 41% Expect U.S. Economy To Be Stronger In Five Years

For just the second time in three years, the number of Americans who predict a stronger economy a year from now is slightly higher than those who expect a weaker one. But the number who feel the economy will be stronger in the longer term remains near its all-time low.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 36% of American Adults expect a stronger U.S. economy in a year's time, while nearly as many (34%) expect the economy to be weaker. Thirteen percent (13%) say the economy will be about the same a year from now. Seventeen percent (17%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on September 22-23, 2012 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.

29% Think Poverty Very Severe in America Today

An overwhelming majority of Americans think poverty is a major problem in the United States today, and just one-in-four think the current government-set poverty line is right.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 80% of American Adults believe poverty is at least somewhat severe in the United States, although that includes only 29% who say it is Very Severe. Just 16% think poverty is not severe in the nation, with four percent (4%) who believe it is Not At All Severe. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on September 18-19, 2012 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% Say Their Home is Worth More Than What They Owe

Fewer than half of the nation’s homeowners continue to report that their home is worth more than what they still owe on the mortgage. Overall attitudes about the housing market remain relatively pessimistic.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of U.S. Homeowners shows that 47% report their home is worth more than what they owe on their mortgage. Thirty-nine percent (39%) say their home is not worth more than what they still owe, while 14% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 749 Homeowners nationwide was conducted on September 16-17, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 4 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Fieldwork for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

44% Fear Government Will Do Too Much to Help Economy, 44% Say Not Enough

Voters nationwide remain evenly divided in their concerns about the government’s reaction to economic problems, but most still agree the best solution is to cut government spending.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely Voters shows that 44% are more worried that the federal government will try to do too much in reacting to the nation’s current economic problems. But just as many (44%) fear the government will not do enough in response to those problems. Twelve percent (12%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters nationwide was conducted on September 15-16, 2012 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.

20% Believe Targeted Government Programs Will Help Housing Market

The Federal Reserve Board announced last week that it will attempt to help the housing market by buying mortgages to keep interest rates at record lows. But only 20% of American Adults believe it is possible for targeted government programs to help the housing market.

Sixty-nine percent (69%) think the housing market will improve only when the overall economy improves, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. 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 September 14-15, 2012 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% Expect Higher Interest Rates One Year From Now

The Federal Reserve on Thursday announced it is extending its plan to keep interest rates low until 2015, but nearly half of Americans expect higher interest rates a year from now.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 47% of American Adults believe they will be paying higher interest rates one year from today. Just six percent (6%) expect lower interest rates in a year's time, while 34% believe they will be about the same. Thirteen percent (13%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults nationwide was conducted on September 8-9, 2012 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% Lack Confidence in Fed To Keep Inflation Under Control, Interest Rates Down

Confidence in the Federal Reserve Board’s ability to keep inflation under control remains at the lowest level of 2012 as Americans overwhelmingly continue to report they are paying more for groceries compared to last year.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 37% of American Adults are at least somewhat confident that the Fed can keep inflation under control and interest rates down, but just 11% are Very Confident.  Fifty-eight percent (58%) lack confidence in the Fed, with 15% who are Not At All Confident.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults nationwide was conducted on September 8-9, 2012 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% Now Say Auto Bailouts Were Good for the Country

Support for the bailouts of General Motors and Chrysler and the financial industry have jumped following the Democratic National Convention.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey, taken just after the convention, shows that, for the first time, most Likely U.S. Voters (53%) think the auto bailouts were good for the United States. That’s up from a previous high of 47% in May. Just 36% now believe those bailouts were bad for the country. Eleven percent (11%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on September 7-8, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error 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.

50% Confident In Stability of U.S. Banking Industry

Fifty percent (50%) of American Adults are now at least somewhat confident in the stability of the U.S. banking industry, but that still includes just 11% who are Very Confident. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 43% don't share that confidence, 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 nationwide was conducted on September 8-9, 2012 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.

Job Creation? 47% Trust Obama, 45% Romney

Following another dismal jobs report, voters overwhelmingly rate job creation as important to their vote but are almost evenly divided when it comes to which presidential candidate they trust more on the issue.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 95% of Likely U.S. Voters rate the issue of job creation as important to how they will vote in November. That includes 69% who consider it Very Important. Only three percent (3%) view job creation as not very or Not At All Important to their vote. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on September 9-10, 2012 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 Their Pay Will Be The Same A Year From Now

For the first time since early January, working Americans think what they earn is more likely to stay the same over the next year rather than go up.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 40% of employed adults think they will be earning more money a year from now than they are making today. That’s in line with regular tracking since March and up from the low to mid-30s common to surveys since July 2009. But 46% now believe their earnings will be about the same in a year’s time. That’s the highest finding since July of last year and more in line with earlier surveying. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 593 Employed Adults was conducted on September 2-3, 2012 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.