Business

57% Say Home Worth More Than What They Still Owe

Amidst reports that sales of new and existing houses were up in January, confidence among homeowners that the value of their home will increase in the next five years is at its highest level in over a year, as is the number who believe their house is worth more than what they still owe on it. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 57% of Adult Homeowners think the value of their home is worth more than their mortgage.  That finding is up slightly from mid-January, but is at the highest level measured since early January of last year. Since then, this figure has generally remained in the high 40s to low 50s. 

Nearly one-in-three homeowners (32%) don’t believe their home is worth more than what they owe on their mortgage. Another 11% are not sure.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The national survey of 706 Adult Homeowners was conducted on February 17-18, 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.

46% Say Driving Is Something They Really Enjoy

Americans have grown a little fonder of driving over the years, but a sizable number still says it's strictly for getting around.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 46% of American Adults view driving a car as something they really enjoy rather than just something they have to do to get from one place to another. That’s up from 43% a year ago and 39% the year before.

But 50% still see driving as primarily a way to get from one place to another. This finding is little changed from last year but is down from 56% in 2010. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on February 13-14, 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% Favor Candidate Who Would Raise Taxes on Wealthy

Voters appear to be showing a little less resistance to tax increases, and for the first time ever a majority would support a candidate who promised to raise taxes only on the wealthy over one who was against all tax increases.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 35% of Likely U.S. Voters would vote for a candidate who promised to oppose all tax increases. Fifty-two percent (52%) instead would prefer a candidate who promised to raise taxes only on the rich. That’s up five points from last month and is the highest level of support measured in four years of regular tracking.  Thirteen percent (13%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

Additional information from this survey and a full demographic breakdown are available to Platinum Members only.

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Ford Still Viewed More Favorably Than GM, Chrysler

More Americans than ever have a favorable opinion of Ford, the one Big Three automaker who didn't need a taxpayer bailout to stay in business. 

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 76% of American Adults have at least a somewhat favorable impression of Ford. That’s up from 73% last September but consistent with findings since the 2008-2009 auto bailouts. Eighteen percent (18%) have an unfavorable opinion of Ford.  The new findings include 39% with a Very Favorable impression of the Detroit-based manufacturer and just six percent (6%) with a Very Unfavorable one.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on February 13-14, 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% Say It’s Possible For Any American Seeking Work To Find A Job

Americans are growing a bit more confident that anyone looking for a job can find one, but they still don’t necessarily think anyone who works hard in this country can get rich.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of U.S. Adults shows that 46% believe it is possible for anyone who really wants to work to find a job. That’s up only slightly from 44% in November, but it’s the highest level of confidence measured since May 2009. Thirty-seven percent (37%) do not think it’s possible for anyone who wants a job to find employment, down from 42% three months ago and tying the lowest level ever measured. Another 17% are undecided. (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.

63% Favor Federal Payroll Cuts Over Pay Raises To Help Economy

Given the choice between cutting the federal payroll and giving all federal workers a modest raise, a solid majority of voters say, “Cut!”

A new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey finds that 63% of Likely U.S. Voters believe cutting the federal payroll is better for the economy even as President Obama calls for a small pay hike for federal workers in his latest budget. Eighteen percent (18%) say giving all federal workers a modest raise is the better option, but just as many (19%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters nationwide was conducted on February 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. 

14% Are Very Likely to Buy or Lease A Car This Year

Americans' interest in a new car is barely higher than it has been over the last two years.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 28% of Adults are even somewhat likely to buy or lease a car in the next year, including 14% who are Very Likely to do so.

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

Fewer See Major Depression Coming, Still Pessimistic About Housing, Stock Markets

With more Americans expecting a stronger economy next year, they are also less inclined to believe a 1930s-like depression is in the cards. Still, most don’t expect the housing or stock markets to make a full recovery anytime soon.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of American Adults shows that 40% still believe the United States is at least somewhat likely to enter an economic depression similar to the one during the 1930s in the next few years. This finding includes 15% who think it's Very Likely. The overall finding is down from 52% in November and is the lowest recorded in three years of regular tracking. 

Forty-eight percent (48%) don’t see a 1930s-like economic depression as likely in the near future, but just nine percent (9%) say it’s Not At All Likely to happen. Eleven percent (11%) aren’t sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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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.

Obama’s Budget Shows $928 Billion Increase in Spending Over Five Years

President Obama’s new budget proposal calls for annual federal government spending to increase by $192 billion in 2012 and $928 billion by 2017.  The budget documents show federal spending of $3,603 billion for 2011 growing to $3,795 billion in 2012 and $4,531 billion in 2017.

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.)

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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.)

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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.)

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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.