Sixty-two percent (62%) of Americans expect stock market values to be higher in five years than they are today, even after a month of highly-publicized troubles on Wall Street.

Just 14% expect those values to be lower, and eight percent (8%) say they will be about the same, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Sixteen percent (16%) remain unsure.

Men are more confident that women. Seventy (70%) of men say market value will be higher in five years, compared to 56% of women.

Investors are more confident the market will rise than non-investors by nearly 30 points. Confidence in the market also steadily increases with income level (see full crosstabs).

A sizable majority (68%) of Americans believe the most effective way to protect their money is act on their own after meeting with financial advisers rather than to push for government action. Only 17% say the best way to protect their investments is to get involved in the political process to seek more government protection of the economy.

Despite the near-panic seen on Wall Street and in Washington, 70% of Americans say they have not spoken with a banker or financial adviser in the past month about the ongoing financial crisis. Twenty-six percent (26%) say they have.

The Rasmussen Investor Index has rebounded dramatically this week after hitting record lows last week.
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In the past month, due to the bankruptcy and near-bankruptcy of several major financial institutions, the stock market has experienced record drops in value. Americans experienced huge losses in their investments in the process. These began reversing in similar record fashion this week following unprecedented federal government involvement in the economy. The crisis has become global in magnitude which has prompted similar corrective efforts by other countries.

In the short term, the primary concern seems to be a freeze in the availablity of credit because banks are nervous about lending to anyone in the current economic climate, so part of the government solution is to insure these loans.

Forty-two percent (42%) believe the increased federal government role in the economy makes their money more safe, but 32% say it makes their money less safe. Ten percent (10%) say it makes no difference.

Only 14% of Americans say they have written or contacted their congressman about the $700-billion taxpayer-backed bailout plan which was the government’s first response to the economic crisis. Eighty-five percent (85%) said they did not try to contact their legislator.

A plurality of voters (47%) say Barack Obama’s plan to raise taxes on those who earn over $250,000 a year is good for the troubled economy, even though 51% still believe that lower taxes are the best way to spur economic growth.

In the latest survey, 68% of Republicans expect stock market values to be higher in five years than they are today, compared to 57% of Democrats and 61% of unaffiliated voters.

But Democrats are more supportive of government involvement in the economy than GOP voters. Forty-five percent (45%) of Democrats think government intervention makes their money more safe, as do 40% of Republicans and 42% of unaffiliated voters.

Similarly, 78% of Republicans think it is better for an individual to take steps on their own to safeguard their money rather than push for more government protections. Only 61% of Democrats – and 67% of unaffiliateds – share that view.

Seventy-six percent (76%) of investors prefer individual action to pursuit of more government help, compared to 55% of non-investors.

See survey questions and toplines. Crosstabs available for Premium Members only.