The Discover U.S. Spending Monitor rose 1.4 points in May to 86.8 as consumers braced for higher spending in the wake of record gas and food prices. The Monitor posted record high percentages of consumers who said they spent more in May than April (56 percent) and who expect to spend more next month (46 percent), both up by six points respectively.
For the first time since October, confidence in the labor markets increased during May. The Rasmussen Employment Index (formerly the Hudson Index) gained nearly two points in May to 84.6.
Fifty-six percent (56%) of voters nationwide say that the economic stimulus package passed earlier this year has had no impact on the economy. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that 57% believe that if Congress and the President do nothing more, the economy will be in even worse shape a year from now.
As another class of college students graduates with enormous student loan debt, parents are also feeling the pinch.
One constant in American political life is that the American people believe tax hikes are bad for the economy. The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey found that 60% of voters hold that view while just 14% believe that raising taxes is good for the economy.
Forty-six percent (46%) of America’s Likely Voters favor a federal gas tax holiday this summer. A Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that 42% are opposed and 12% are not sure.
The April Discover U.S. Spending Monitor reflected a continuing pattern of economic concern from consumers in the face of rising expenses. For the last four months including April, the Monitor has remained in the 85-86 range.
For the sixth time in the last seven months, confidence in the labor markets tumbled during April. The Rasmussen Employment Index (formerly the Hudson Index) fell nearly a point in April to 83.1. That’s down twenty-four points from a month ago and once again establishes a new all-time low for the five year history of the Index.
Small business economic confidence continues to slide, marked by another drop in the number of owners who say that economic conditions for their business are getting better.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that 65% of Likely Voters oppose an increase in the Capital Gains tax. Just 16% favor an increase, while a fifth of voters are not sure.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that 42% of Americans think that a Yahoo merger will have little impact on Internet users.
On Tuesday, John McCain unveiled a proposal laying out an agenda to change the tax code and temporarily suspend federal gas taxes this summer.
Amid fears of a possible recession, Americans feel less secure about their finances now than at any other time in the last 14 months, according to the COUNTRY Financial Security Index(SM). The Index recorded its third consecutive decline in April, slipping .7 points to 67.8, marking its lowest reading to date.
To anyone who has felt trapped in a circle of bad service: If you haven't heard the story of Mona Shaw, pull up a chair.
Sixty-three percent (63%) of Americans say that the federal government is not doing enough to address the troubled U.S. economy. A Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that 19% hold the opposite view and believe the government response has been adequate.
While the economy has emerged as the top issue of Election 2008, politicians are still scrambling to find out how to address the topic. The challenge is highlight by a new nationwide telephone survey showing that 48% of voters say the best thing the government can do is get out of the way by reducing taxes and regulations. The Rasmussen Reports poll found that 36% disagree with that approach while 16% are not sure.
The Discover U.S. Spending Monitor reached a new low in March as consumers grew even more concerned about the economy and their personal finances in the face of rising monthly expenses.
The US workforce is getting more pessimistic about the job market, according to the latest Rasmussen Employment Index (formerly the Hudson Index).
After an upward tick in February, small business owners' economic confidence took a sharp drop in March, casting the Discover Small Business Watch to its lowest point since its inception in August 2006.
Fifty-three percent (53%) of Americans say that the federal government should not help out homeowners who borrowed more than they could afford.
