General Business

Confidence in America’s Banks Is Up, Too

Americans are starting 2015 off with their most positive view of the country’s banking system since before the Wall Street meltdown.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 60% of American Adults are at least somewhat confident in the stability of the U.S. banking system, including 10% who are Very Confident. This overall finding is up 10 points from the 2014 low found in December. It is the highest finding since July 2008 before the Wall Street meltdown and the federal bailout of the financial system.

Thirty-two percent (32%) are still not confident in the stability of the banking industry, with seven percent (7%) who are Not At All Confident. The overall finding is down 12 points from December and is the lowest finding in nearly seven years. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 800 Adults was conducted on January 18-19, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Cash No Longer Reigns Supreme

Paper or plastic? A common question at the grocery store might now refer to your wallet rather than your shopping bags.

Over half (53%) of American Adults now say they’ve gone an entire week without paying for anything with cash or coins, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. That’s up from 49% a year ago and 43% in 2012. Thirty-nine percent (39%) have not, down six points from 2014. (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 800 Adults was conducted on January 12-13, 2014 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3.5 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Leading Economic Indicators Back to Pre-2008 Levels

Has the U.S. economy finally turned the corner? Our regular economic indicators suggest that something other than traditional beginning-of-the year optimism is going on.

Daily confidence among consumers and investors as measured by the Rasmussen Reports Consumer and Investor Index has steadily increased over the past several weeks. On Monday, the consumer and investor indexes reached 116 and 132.1 respectively, the highest findings since 2007. While it is generally typical to observe a spike in overall confidence at the start of the year, these are surges not seen since well before the 2008 financial meltdown.

Detailed supplemental information, including a daily history and month-by-month trend data, is available for Platinum Members. 

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Americans Used Postal Service More This Holiday Season

The U.S. Postal Service was the deliverer of choice for more Americans this holiday season.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 61% of American Adults used the Postal Service about the same as they have in previous years. Sixteen percent (16%) say they used the USPS more this holiday season, while 21% say they used it less. (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 December 28-29, 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.

Debt's Up at Year's End

Americans are ending the year more in debt than they were at the beginning of 2014.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 29% of American Adults say they owe more money than they did a year ago. That's consistent with findings since the summer but up six points from 23% in mid-January. Thirty-two percent (32%) say they owe less money than they did a year ago, unchanged from the beginning of the year. Thirty-six percent (36%) say they owe just as much now as they did back 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 December 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.

Most Americans Still Expect Food Prices to Rise

Americans remain worried about inflation but are a bit less pessimistic about rising food prices that they have been in months.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 69% of American Adults are at least somewhat concerned about inflation, down from 74% last month and just below October’s previous all-time low of 70%. Twenty-six percent (26%) are not concerned about inflation. This includes 32% who are Very Concerned and just five percent (5%) 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 December 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.

Half of Adults Trust America's Banks

With confidence in U.S. banks remaining below levels measure before the 2008 financial meltdown, one-third of Americans fear they will lose their money due to bank failure.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 31% of American Adults are at least somewhat concerned they will lose their money due to a bank failure, down only slightly from November. Sixty-five percent (65%) are not worried about losing their money. This includes eight percent (8%) who are Very Worried and 25% who are Not At All Worried about losing money in a bank failure. These findings are consistent with attitudes for nearly six 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 December 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.)

(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.