Business

37% Expect Stronger U.S. Economy A Year From Now

For the first time in over two years, the number of Americans who believe the economy will be stronger one year from now is slightly higher than the number who expect it to be weaker.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of U.S. Adults shows that 37% believe the economy will be stronger in one year, up 10 points from November's all-time low of 27%. This finding is the highest measured since September 2010.

Thirty-five percent (35%) expect the U.S. economy to be weaker a year from now, down from 48% last month and the lowest level of pessimism since September 2009. Nineteen percent (19%) predict the economy will be about the same in a year's time. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on February 11-12, 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.

Most Voters Still Think Bailouts Bad for America

Amidst reports that the car industry is experiencing a modest rebound in sales, support for the government bailouts is at its highest level in three years of regular tracking, although most voters still think they were a bad idea. 

Thirty-two percent (32%) of Likely U.S. Voters now believe the bailouts of banks, auto companies and insurance companies were good for the United States. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 51% view the bailouts as bad for the country, while 17% remain 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 national survey of 1,000 Likely Voters nationwide was conducted on February 10-11, 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.

73% Expect to Be Paying More for Groceries A Year From Now

Despite the Federal Reserve's insistence that inflation is under control, Americans continue to say overwhelmingly that they are paying more for groceries than they were a year ago and they expect to be paying even more a year from now. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 86% of adults think they are paying more for groceries now. That's down two points from last month and consistent with findings since January 2011. Only eight percent (8%) don't believe they are paying more now. (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 February 5-6, 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.

52% Lack Confidence In Stability of U.S. Banking System

Most Americans remain unsure about the state of banks in this country.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 45% of American Adults are at least somewhat confident in the stability of the U.S. banking industry today, but that includes just 10% who are Very Confident.  Most adults (52%), in fact, lack confidence in the country’s banking system, with 15% who are Not At All Confident in it.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 American Adults nationwide was conducted on February 5-6, 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% Support Ongoing Federal Support For Long-Term Unemployed

More Americans than ever think the federal government should do nothing when it comes to those who are unemployed for an extended period of time.  At the same time, the number of adults who believe in ongoing government support for the unemployed is at its lowest level yet.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults shows that just 14% believe the government should hire unemployed people who can’t find work for an extended period of time, while only nine percent (9%) favor extending unemployment benefits indefinitely. Rejecting a permanent role for the government, 30% still believe the government should help the long term unemployed by paying for their retraining. Thirty-seven percent (37%) believe the government should do nothing at all for those individuals, while another 10% are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on February 1-2, 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.

77% Know Someone Out of Work and Looking For A Job

The unemployment rate dipped slightly to 8.3 percent in January, but most Americans continue to know someone who is out of work and searching for a job.   One-in-four adults believes the unemployment rate will be higher a year from today. 

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 77% of American Adults say they know someone who is out of work and looking for a job.  That finding is down slightly from December’s all-time high of 82%, but is generally in-line with findings since early March 2010. (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 February 1-2, 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.

39% Say Unions Bad for Business, 31% Say Good

Most voters don’t view labor unions as a plus for the economy these days.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only 31% of Likely U.S. Voters, in fact, think, generally speaking, that unions are good for business. Thirty-nine percent (39%) regard them as bad for business, while another 21% say they’re neither. (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 Likely Voters was conducted on January 29-30, 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.

Federal Deficit For 2012 Closer to $4 Trillion Rather Than Official Estimate of $1.1 Trillion

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) yesterday reported that the federal budget deficit is projected to reach $1.1 trillion in 2012. That number is troubling enough but the reality is much worse. The United States will actually go about $4 trillion further in debt during the year.

79% Give Their Boss Positive Marks

Here’s some good news for employers. U.S. workers have even more confidence in their bosses than they did two years ago.

Seventy-nine percent (79%) of Employed Adults rate their boss or supervisor as good or excellent. That’s up 12 points from 67% in May 2010. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just six percent (6%) rate that person as poor.  (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 336 Employed Adults was conducted on January 28-29, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 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.

Rasmussen Employment Index Climbs To 15-Month High

The Rasmussen Employment Index, which measures workers’ perceptions of the labor market each month, rose almost two points in January to reach 80.7, its highest level since November 2010.

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

January’s index is four points above the level measured at the start of 2011 and is up 14 points from January 2010. While confidence in the labor market is improving, the Employment Index is still down three points from November 2010, which represented the peak of the post-bailout era.

74% Favor Right-to-Work Law Eliminating Mandatory Union Dues

Indiana as early as Wednesday could become the 23rd right-to-work state in the country, meaning non-union employees would not be required to pay union dues when working for a company that is unionized. Voters overwhelmingly agree with the intent of the new law, but most also don’t think a non-union worker should enjoy benefits negotiated by the union.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 15% of Likely U.S. Voters think workers who do not belong to a union should be required by law to pay union dues if the company they work for is unionized.  Seventy-four percent (74%) disagree and say non-union workers should not be forced to pay dues in a closed union shop. 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 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on January 29-30, 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.

81% Describe Their Workplace As Positive

Most employed Americans give their workplace positive marks, but nearly one-in-four say they have left a job because of a bad relationship with a coworker. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Employed Adults finds that 81% describe their workplace as at least somewhat positive, including 27% who believe their work environment is Very Positive.  Only 16% describe their workplace as negative, with one percent (1%) who say it’s a Very Negative place.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 336 Employed Adults was conducted on January 28-29, 2012 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 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.

45% Think Free Trade Good for U.S., 28% Disagree

Call it free trade with limits. Americans still tend to favor free trade agreements with other nations but believe there are some countries that should pay tariffs on the goods they send to the United States. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 45% of American Adults think free trade is good for the U.S. economy. Twenty-eight percent (28%) disagree and think it’s bad for the economy, while 27% more 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 Adults was conducted on January 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.

Most Would Choose Foreign Over American If Product Is Better, Cheaper

Adults nationwide still place high importance on buying American-made products, but most would go with a foreign product if it’s cheaper and better than its American counterpart.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults shows that 90% of adults say it’s at least somewhat important to buy a product made in America, including 61% who say it’s Very Important. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

55% Say Wealthy Americans Should Pay at Least 30% In Income Taxes

Most voters agree with President Obama’s proposal in his State of the Union speech Tuesday night that wealthy Americans pay at least 30% of their income in federal taxes. But 30% seems to be about as far as they want to go.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 55% of Likely U.S. Voters favor the president’s tax proposal for the wealthy. Thirty-two percent (32%) oppose a requirement that the wealthy pay at least 30% in federal taxes. Thirteen percent (13%) 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 Likely Voters was conducted on January 25-26, 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.

55% Favor Government Subsidizing U.S. Manufacturing

In President Obama's State of the Union address Tuesday night, he proposed corporate tax credits and tax reductions to encourage an increase in U.S. manufacturing jobs, and a new survey shows a majority of Americans nationwide are on board with the idea.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults shows that 55% believe government funds should be used to subsidize manufacturers in the United States through tax credits and other incentives. Thirty-one percent (31%) disagree, while 15% are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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

52% See Home Buying As Family’s Best Investment

For the first time in nine months, more than half of Americans believe purchasing a home is the best investment for a family, but this finding is still well below results measured several years ago.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults shows that 52% believe buying a home is the best investment a family can make, up from 47% last month and the highest level measured since May 2011. Nearly a third (30%) say home buying is not a family’s best investment, while 18% 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 U.S. Adults was conducted on January 16-17, 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% Favor Candidate Who Would Raise Taxes on Wealthy

More voters support a candidate who promises to raise taxes only on the rich over one who opposes all tax hikes, but roughly half feel tax increases of any kind would hurt the nation’s economy.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely Voters finds that 47% say they’d vote for a candidate for office who promises to only raise taxes on the rich, while 36% favor a candidate who opposes all tax increases.  Another 18% 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 Likely Voters was conducted on January 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.

Confidence In Housing Market Improves

Belief among homeowners that home values will increase during the next few years is the strongest it has been in a year, as is confidence that their homes are worth more than what they still owe.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of homeowners shows that 21% now believe their home will be worth more in a year, up seven points from last month and the highest result measured since February 2011. Still, 27% say their home will be worth less in a year’s time, while 51% expect its value to remain about the same. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 670 U.S. Homeowners was conducted on January 16-17, 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.

70% Prefer Free Market to Government-Managed Economy

Americans still put a lot more faith in the private sector than in government when it comes to making the economy work.

Seventy percent (70%) of American Adults think a free market economy is better than one managed by the government. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only 15% believe a government-managed economy is better. Fourteen percent (14%) 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 American Adults nationwide was conducted on January 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.