Business

Americans Worry About Credit Card Use But Not Their Own

There remains a large gap between the number of adults who feel most Americans use their credit cards too much and the number who think those overspenders include them.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 82% of American Adults have at least one credit card, including 40% who have three or more. Forty-two percent (42%) report having one or two credit cards. Just 16% say they don’t have any. (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. 

This survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on November 23-24, 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.

48% Expect Higher Interest Rates Next Year

While most Americans say their interest rates haven’t changed over the past year, roughly half still expect them to go up over the next 12 months.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 19% of American Adults say they’re paying higher interest rates today than they were a year ago, in line with surveys the past few months but down from 24% in June and July.

Twelve percent (12%) are paying lower rates than a year ago. Most Americans (63%) say their interest rates have stayed about the same, also in line with recent surveys. (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 November 15-16, 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.

37% Think Now's A Good Time to Put A Home on the Market

Americans still believe in the value of a home as a family investment, and they remain more confident that now is a good time to sell.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 52% of American Adults say buying a home is the best investment most families can make. Twenty-seven percent (27%) disagree, but 20% are not sure. This is generally in line with surveys over the past five 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 November 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. 

Inflation Worries Remain High

Most adults continue to be concerned about inflation but show slightly more confidence in the Federal Reserve to control it.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 74% of American Adults are still concerned about inflation. Just 22% are not. These findings include 36% who are Very Concerned and just 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 November 15-16, 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.

64% Say Their Home is Worth More Than When They Bought It

Homeowners remain confident they know much their home is worth in today’s market and more than ever think that it's are worth more than when they bought it. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 84% of American Homeowners say they are confident they know how much their home is worth in today’s market. That is up slightly from September but is in line with surveys since 2011. Just 13% say they aren’t confident they know their home’s value in today’s market, down slightly from September. These findings include 44% who are Very Confident and two percent (2%) 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 673 American Homeowners was conducted on November 13-14, 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.

54% Are Confident in U.S. Banks

Confidence in the U.S. banking system is inching near this year’s high but still remains below the level of confidence measured before the 2009 financial meltdown.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 54% of American Adults are at least somewhat confident in the stability of the U.S. banking industry today, including 12% who are Very Confident. This overall finding is up just one point from October but up from 50% in September.

Forty-two percent (42%) are still not confident in the banking industry, including 11% 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 November 15-16, 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 High: 40% Think Home’s Value Will Go Up In Next Year

Homeowners’ short-term confidence in their home’s value has hit its highest level yet, and long-term optimism is looking up as well.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 40% of American Homeowners now expect their home’s value to increase in the next year. This is up five points from October and the highest level of short-term optimism to date. Thirteen percent (13%) say the value will go down in that period, nearly unchanged from previous survey. Forty-four percent (44%) believe it will stay about the same in the next year, in line with recent surveys. Three percent (3%) 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 673 American Homeowners was conducted on November 13-14, 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 U.S. Job Market Jumps

More Americans than ever now believe it is possible for anyone in need of a job to land one.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 61% of American Adults say it is possible for anyone who really wants to work to find a job. That’s up from 52% in July and the highest level measured in over five years of regular tracking. Twenty-eight percent (28%) disagree and don’t think it’s possible for anyone who wants to work to land a job, while 11% 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 was conducted on October 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.

Americans Say Private Sector Works Harder Than Government Employees

Americans continue to believe that private sector employees work harder than government workers. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just nine percent (9%) of Americans believe government employees work harder than those in the private sector, unchanged from September. Sixty-one percent (61%) think private sector employees work harder. This finding is down eight points from previous survey and is the lowest finding since September 2013. Thirty percent (30%) are not sure, up seven points from September. (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 November 1-2, 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 High: 35% Say Job Market Better Than a Year Ago

As voters headed to the polls this week to express their displeasure with the White House and Congress, Americans were also expressing more optimism in the job market than they have in years. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 35% of American Adults believe the job market is better than it was a year ago. That is up five points from September and is the highest level measured in more than four years of regular tracking. Twenty-three percent (23%) say the job market is worse than it was a year ago, also the lowest negative assessment on record. Another 39% believe the situation 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 and Facebook.

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

Fewer Think U.S. Will Have Another Great Depression

Short- and long-term outlooks for the U.S. economy are better than they’ve been in more than a year, and Americans are less concerned than ever about another 1930’s-like depression.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 27% of American Adults think it’s at least somewhat likely that the United States will enter another Great Depression in the next few years. Nearly two-thirds of adults (62%) think it’s unlikely. Americans were much more closely divided on this question in surveys dating back to 2009. This is a dramatic new low since then for the likelihood of another economic depression. (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 October 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.

Half of Americans Still Expect Interest Rates to Rise

While the majority of adults nationwide say they are paying similar interest rates as they were a year ago, nearly half expect those rates to go up next year.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 18% say they’re paying higher interest rates than they were a year ago, generally unchanged from the previous two months, but down from 24% in June and July. Just 14% are paying lower rates than they were a year ago. Most Americans (60%) say their interest rates are about the same as last year. (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 October 16-17, 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.

Are Inflation Worries Lessening?

Americans remain concerned about inflation and continue to doubt whether the Federal Reserve Board can keep it under control.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 70% of American Adults are still concerned about inflation. Just 26% are not. These findings include 31% who are Very Concerned and just seven percent (7%) 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 October 16-17, 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% Confident in U.S. Banking System

Confidence in the banking system remains unchanged from recent surveys but it's still down quite a bit from before the 2009 financial meltdown.

Americans remain generally confident in the U.S. banking system, and fewer are concerned about losing their money to bank failure.

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 September but generally in line with recent surveys.

Forty-one percent (41%) are not confident in the banking industry, the lowest since the beginning of the year. This includes 11% 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 October 16-17, 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% Say Buying a Home is a Family's Best Investment

Americans continue to say that buying a house is a good investment for families.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 53% of American Adults think buying a home is the best investment most families can make, generally in line with surveys over the past five years. Twenty-eight percent (28%) do not think buying a home is a family’s best investment, up slightly from previous months. Nineteen percent (19%) 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 was conducted on October 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.

Homeowners Say No To Government Help on Mortgage Payments

Most homeowners say they have not missed nor are they likely to miss a mortgage payment anytime soon. But for those who are struggling to make increased mortgage payments, Americans say they should sell their home and find a less expensive one rather than have the government step in and help.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 22% of American Adults believe that if someone cannot afford to make increased mortgage payments, the government should assist them. This is down slightly from August but still above June’s 2014 low. Most (58%) still think people in that situation should sell their home and find a less expensive one. This is down five points from August, but in line with findings from earlier this year. Twenty percent (20%) are not sure, up seven points from August and the highest finding to date. (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 701 Adult Homeowners and 1,000 American Adults was conducted on October 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.

50% Expect Their Home’s Value To Go Up in Next Five Years

Homeowners’ short- and long-term confidence in their home’s value remain at levels seen since early 2013 and they also remain confident that their home is now worth more than what they owe on their mortgage.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 50% of American Homeowners now expect their home’s value to increase over the next five years. This finding is up slightly from September and the highest finding since June. Thirteen percent (13%) say the value will go down in that period, unchanged from previous survey. Twenty-seven percent (27%) believe it will stay about the same over the next five years, down slightly from September and in line with findings from last October. Nine percent (9%) 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 701 American Homeowners was conducted on October 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.

48% Won’t Pay More For Fast Food To Raise Minimum Wage

Americans enjoy having it their way. Fast-food restaurants have been in the news lately because of protests to raise the minimum wage, but Americans who regularly eat at these restaurants aren't willing to pay more for their food to raise the pay of their workers.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 27% of American Adults rarely or never eat at fast-food restaurants. But 50% eat at such restaurants at least two to three times a month. This includes 27% who eat fast food at least once a week, up from 13% in August of last year. Twenty-four percent (24%) say they eat at a fast-food restaurant every now and then. (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 October 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

43% Think Raising Minimum Wage Will Help Economy

President Obama is trying to raise the federal minimum wage from the current $7.25 an hour to $10.10 an hour, and most Americans are on board.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that most American Adults (61%) favor raising the minimum wage from its current level of $7.25 an hour, which many states and the District of Columbia have already done. One-in-three (30%) oppose raising the minimum wage. (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 October 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.

12% Consider Themselves the Working Poor

Although the number of workers expecting a raise within the next year ties the all-time high, roughly one-in-10 still consider themselves among the working poor.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 50% of working Americans think they will be earning more money a year from today, tying July’s all-time high. Just 11% believe they will be earning less in a year. Thirty-two percent (32%) say their salary will be about the same in a year’s time, but that’s 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 622 Employed Adults was conducted on September 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.