Business

29% Owe More Money Than Last Year

Roughly a third of adults say they owe more money than a year ago, although only one-in-five say their interest rates have gone up in that same time.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 29% of American Adults now owe more money than they did a year ago, up three points from a month ago, but generally in line with earlier surveys. Thirty-three percent (33%) owe less than a year ago, while another 35% owe about the same amount. (To see survey questions wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on September 18-19, 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 Expect Higher Grocery Bills Next Year

Americans remain concerned about inflation and the vast majority feel they’ll be paying more for their groceries a year from now.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 75% of American Adults are still concerned about inflation, consistent with monthly surveying for the past three years. This finding includes 36% who are Very Concerned. Twenty-one percent (21%) are not concerned about inflation, but that includes only 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 September 18-19, 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.

50% Are Confident in U.S. Banking Industry

While only half of Americans express confidence in the nation’s banking system, most do not fear their money will be lost due to bank failure.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 50% of American Adults are at least somewhat confident in the stability of the U.S. banking industry today, including just eight percent (8%) who are Very Confident. That’s down slightly from August.
 
 Forty-five percent (45%) are not confident in the banking industry, including 10% who are Not At All Confident. Five percent (5%) 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 September 18-19, 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.

63% Say Their Home’s Worth More Now Than When They Bought It

Homeowners remain upbeat about their home’s appreciation.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 63% of American Homeowners think their home is worth more than when they bought it. That's up another point from July’s three-year high of 62%.  Prior to that, this finding has run in the mid- to high 50s since 2012. Sixteen percent (16%) now say their home is worth less than when they bought it, while 19% think its value is 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 Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 666 Adult Homeowners was conducted on September 14-15, 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.

37% Expect Their Home’s Value to Go Up Next Year

Short- and long-term confidence in housing values are stable at levels seen since early last year and remain well ahead of whether they were for the four years prior to that.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 37% of U.S. homeowners now think the value of their home will go up in the next year. That’s up three points from August which was the lowest level of confidence measured in 2014. Fourteen percent (14%) expect the value of their home to go down over the next year, while 48% still expect it to stay about the same. Both those findings are unchanged from 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 666 Adult Homeowners was conducted on September 14-15, 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.

Americans Think Government Workers Have It Made

Americans continue to believe a government job is better than one with a private company.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 68% of American Adults think government workers have more job security than those in the private sector. Just eight percent (8%) think government employees have less job security. Seventeen percent (17%) say job security is about the same for both. (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 September 2-3, 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 Are Conflicted Over Corporate Taxes

Nearly half of Americans recognize that the United States has higher corporate taxes than most other industrialized nations and think higher taxes on corporations hurt the economy. But just as many say the level of taxation is not high enough.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 46% of American Adults think higher corporate taxes hurt the economy, while just 26% say they help. Fourteen percent (14%) think higher corporate taxes have no economic impact. 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 1,000 Adults was conducted on August 29-30, 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 Are More Optimistic About Job Market

Americans are a bit more optimistic about the current job picture and future job prospects.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 30% of American Adults think that the current job market is better than it was one year ago. This is up five points from July and is the highest level of optimism in over a year. Twenty-seven percent (27%) say it’s worse now, the lowest finding since January. Forty percent (40%) feel 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 September 2-3, 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.

“Whopper” of a Deal: Americans Weigh in on Burger King Move

The Obama administration and others have criticized a developing merger between Burger King and Canadian chain Tim Hortons over the fast-food burger chain's intention to move its headquarters to a country with lower corporate tax rates, though Burger King argues that is not the case. However, a plurality of American Adults say the government should not be able to stop a company from moving its headquarters to another country to reduce its tax load.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 47% of Adults believe the federal government should not be able to stop U.S. businesses from moving out of the country to reduce their U.S. taxes, but 37% disagree. Sixteen percent (16%) are not sure.
 
 Forty-one percent (41%) have a favorable impression of Burger King, while 47% view the chain unfavorably. This includes 12% with a Very Favorable impression of the 60 year-old burger chain and 21% with a Very Unfavorable opinion. (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 August 29-30, 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.

51% Expect Higher Interest Rates in a Year

While half of Americans expect higher interest rates in the future, fewer are now paying higher rates than they were a year ago.

A new Rasmussen reports national telephone survey finds that 18% of American Adults are currently paying higher interest rates than they were a year ago. That is down from 24% last month and is the lowest finding since November. Just 13% are paying lower rates than they were a year ago. Most Americans (61%) say their interest rates are about the same as last year, up four points from the previous survey. (To see survey questions 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 August 19-20, 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 Still Wonder if Fed Can Handle Inflation

Americans remain highly concerned about inflation and continue to wonder if the Federal Reserve Board has the ability to keep it under control.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 75% of American Adults are concerned about inflation, consistent with monthly surveying for the past three years. This finding includes 37% who are Very Concerned. Twenty-two percent (22%) are not concerned about inflation, but that includes only four percent (4%) who are Not At All Concerned. (To see survey questions 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 August 19-20, 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.

53% Are Confident in U.S. Banking Industry

Just over half of Americans express confidence in the nation's banking system again this month.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 53% of American Adults are at least somewhat confident in the stability of the U.S. banking industry today, including 12% who are Very Confident. That’s up slightly from 50% in July. Forty-three percent (43%) are not confident in the banking industry, 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 survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on August 19-20, 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 Still Think A Home is Family’s Best Investment

Over half of Americans continue to say a home is a family's best investment, but more think it is not a good time for someone in their area to be selling their home.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 52% of American Adults now say that buying a home is the best investment most families can make, down slightly from July. Twenty-six percent (26%) disagree, while 22% are undecided. These are generally in line with findings for the past few 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 August 17-18, 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.

Most Still Don’t Support Government Help on Mortgage Payments

Most homeowners have not been late on a mortgage payment recently and don’t expect to be anytime soon. But for those who are still struggling to make their payments, most Americans don’t think the government should step in and help.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only 24% of American Adults believe that if someone cannot afford to make increased mortgage payments, the government should assist them. That’s up slightly from June’s low of 21% but similar to findings earlier in the year. Most (63%) still think people in that situation should sell their home and find a less expensive one. Thirteen percent (13%) are not sure. This is in line with regular surveying since the spring of 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 640 Adult Homeowners and 1,000 American Adults was conducted on August 17-18, 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.

Confidence in Short-Term Housing Market Slips to 2014 Low

Homeowners are slightly less confident than they’ve been in over a year that their home’s value will increase in the short-term. Confidence in their home's current value has fallen back as well. Thirty-four percent (34%) of U.S. homeowners now think the value of their home will go up in the next year, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. That’s down four points from July and is the lowest level of confidence measured since July of last year. Fourteen percent (14%) expect the value of their home to go down over the next year, while 48% still expect it to stay 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 Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 640 Adult Homeowners was conducted on August 17-18, 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.

Most Think Feds Too Big a Presence in Their Lives

Most Americans believe the federal government butts in to Americans’ lives too much.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 60% of American Adults believe the federal government plays too big a role in the lives of average Americans. Only eight percent (8%) think the feds play too small a role, while 22% think the level of government involvement is about right. (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 August 5-6, 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 Like the Look of Their Next Job

Americans are more optimistic about their job prospects than they have been for most of the past five years.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 44% of Employed Adults believe their next job will be better than their current one, up two points from June and the highest level of confidence since May 2012. This finding has generally been in the high 20s and low to mid-30s since early 2009. Only 13% think their next job will not be better, while 22% plan to retire when they leave their current employer. Just as many (21%) 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 583 Employed Adults was conducted on July 28-29, 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.

Americans See More Money Coming Their Way

More Americans than ever are optimistic that in one year’s time they will be earning more money.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 50% of Employed Adults believe they will be making more money a year from today. That’s up two points from June's previous high of 48% and the highest finding in over five years of regular tracking. Just eight percent (8%) expect to earn less next year. Thirty-five percent (35%) think they’ll be making about the same amount, the lowest finding since April 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 583 Employed Adults was conducted on July 28-29, 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.

Americans View Poverty As A Bigger Trap Than Ever

Even as thousands of new illegal immigrants flood over the border, more Americans than ever doubt whether it is possible for most people in this country to escape being poor. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 44% of American Adults still believe it is possible for just about anyone in the United States to work their way out of poverty. That’s consistent with findings since April of last year but down from the high 40s and low 50s for several years prior to that. However, 40% now think it is not possible for just about anyone to escape poverty, up just two points from 38% in March but the highest finding in regular surveying since January 2009 just after the Wall Street meltdown. Sixteen percent (16%) 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 Facebook.

The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on July 18-19, 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.

44% Believe Economy Will Be Weaker A Year From Now

Is this the new normal? Americans continue to hold a gloomy assessment of the economy’s chances for improvement in both the short- and long-term.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 25% of American Adults believe the U.S. economy will be stronger a year from now. That’s virtually unchanged from 24% in March, the lowest level of optimism recorded in regular tracking since early January 2009 following the Wall Street meltdown. This finding has generally run in the mid-30s to low 40s for most of the last five-and-a-half 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 Facebook.

The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on July 18-19, 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.