Business

56% Think Oil Companies Will Use Iraq Crisis As Excuse to Raise Gas Prices

As the chaos continues in Iraq, most Americans are reporting higher gas prices and expect to pay even more in the near future. But they also tend to think higher fuel costs will be the result of oil companies using the political crisis as an excuse to drive up prices rather than due to an actual reduction in oil output.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 68% of American Adults are paying more for a gallon of gas compared to six months ago. Just three percent (3%) say they are paying less for gas, while 23% report paying about the same amount. (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 Adults nationwide was conducted on June 19-20, 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% Expect Higher Interest Rates in a Year

One-in-four Americans say they’re currently paying higher interest rates, and more than half expect those rates to go even higher over the next 12 months.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 53% of American Adults think interest rates will be higher a year from today, up from 48% last month and the highest level of pessimism since last September. Just four percent (4%) think interest rates will be lower in a year's time, while 29% expect them to be about the same. Fourteen percent (14%) 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 American Adults was conducted on June 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.

50% Say Tax Increases Hurt The Economy

Even as the Senate considers a 12-cent-per-gallon gas tax increase for more spending on infrastructure, voters continue to say cutting taxes and spending are a better recipe for the economy than raising them.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 50% of Likely U.S. Voters believe that taxes increases hurt the economy, generally consistent with regular surveying since 2011. Just 24% think tax increases help the economy, while 13% say they have no impact. Another 13% 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 June 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.

New High: 44% Say It's A Good Time to Sell A House

Americans’ confidence in the housing market continues to grow, and now more than ever believe it’s a good time to sell a home.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 44% of American Adults say it’s a good time for someone in their area to be selling a house. That's up from last month’s recent high of 38% and is the first time this number has broken the 40% mark in over five years of regular surveying. Thirty-two percent (32%) don’t think it’s a good time to sell, but that's the lowest finding to date. One-in-four (24%) 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 American Adults was conducted on June 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. 

74% Expect Higher Grocery Bills Next Year

Americans remain highly concerned about inflation, and the number who expects their grocery bill to rise is at its highest level in nearly two years.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 82% of American Adults say they are paying more for groceries than a year ago, down slightly from 85% in May  but in line with surveys for much of the past year. Just 11% say they are not paying more than they were a year ago. (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 June 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.

21% Think Government Should Help With Mortgage Payments

Americans still aren’t enthusiastic about the government helping those who cannot afford to make their mortgage payments, but they’re also not concerned they’ll be in that situation themselves any time soon.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just one-in-five American Adults (21%) believe that if someone cannot afford to make increased mortgage payments, the government should assist them. That's down slightly from April and the lowest finding since December. Most (63%) still think people in that situation should sell their home and find a less expensive one. Sixteen percent (16%) are not sure. This is in line with regular surveying since the spring of 2010. (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 649 Adult Homeowners and 1,000 American Adults was conducted on June 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.

52% Still Trust America's Banks

Americans remain slow to recover their faith in the nation's banks since 2008's financial meltdown.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 52% of American Adults are at least somewhat confident in the stability of the nation’s banks again this month, including eight percent (8%) who are Very Confident. Forty-three percent (43%) are not confident in the banking industry, with 12% 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 June 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.

39% Expect Their Home’s Value to Go Up in Next Year

Homeowners remain confident in the short-term housing market, while long-term confidence is at its highest level this year.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 60% of American homeowners feel the value of their home is more than what they still owe on their mortgage. That’s up slightly from 58% in May, but generally consistent with views since last October. Twenty-nine percent (29%) now say their home is not worth more than they owe. Twelve percent (12%) 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 649 Adult Homeowners was conducted on June 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.

48% Expect to Earn More Money Next Year

Working Americans are more optimistic about their future earning potential today than they have been in five years.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 48% of Employed Adults believe they will be earning more money a year from today. That’s up six points from April and the highest finding since April 2009 when regular polling first began on the question. Just 10% expect to earn less next year, while 36% think they’ll be making about the same amount. (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 617 Employed Adults was conducted on June 1-2, 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.

42% Think Their Next Job Will Be Better

With worker confidence at its highest level in several years, fewer workers are willing to commit to their current job. Confidence that their next job will be better is at its highest level in two years.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 30% of Employed Adults are looking for a job outside of their current company, up four points from April and the highest finding since March 2011. Sixty-four percent (64%) still aren't looking, but that's down from 71% as recently as February. (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 617 Employed Adults was conducted on June 1-2, 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.

31% Owe More Money Now

More Americans say they owe more money this month, but most say their interest rates haven't changed.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 31% of American Adults owe more than they did a year ago. That's up three points from last month and ties the recent high in March. Another 31% say they owe less than they did a year ago, while slightly more (35%) say the amount they owe 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 or Facebook.

The survey of 1,000 American Adults was conducted on May 22-23, 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.

73% Expect to Pay More for Groceries

Most Americans remain concerned about inflation and lack confidence in the Federal Reserve to keep it under control. This helps explain why more now expect grocery prices to keep going up.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 85% of American Adults say they are paying more for groceries than a year ago, the highest finding since March of last year. Just eight percent (8%) are not paying more than they were a year ago. (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 May 22-23, 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.

52% Are Confident in Banks' Stability

Just over half of Americans remain confident in the stability of the U.S. banking system today.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 52% of American Adults are at least somewhat confident in the stability of the nation's banks, but that includes just 11% who are Very Confident. Forty-two percent (42%) are not confident in the banking industry, with 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 May 22-23, 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.

38% Think It’s a Good Time to Sell a House

Belief that now's a good time to sell a home is at its highest level since last fall.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 38% of American Adults say, generally speaking, now is a good time for someone in their area to sell a house. That's up from 34% last month and just one point shy of 39% in September. the highest level of confidence in regular surveying since April 2009. Just as many (37%) say it’s not a good time to sell, but that ties the all-time low first reached last September. One-in-four (25%) are not sure whether it’s a good time to sell or not. (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 May 18-19, 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.

59% Think Their Home's Worth More Than When They Bought It

Most homeowners remain confident they know what their home’s worth in today’s market, and they still believe it’s worth more than when they bought it.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 83% of Adult Homeowners are at least somewhat confident that they know how much their home is worth in the housing market today. Fourteen percent (14%) are not. That includes 45% who are Very Confident they know their home’s worth and just 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 672 Adult Homeowners was conducted on May 18-19, 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.

38% Expect Their Home’s Value To Go Up In Next Year

Confidence in the short-term housing market remains stable at levels seen since early last year, but long-term confidence has fallen to its lowest since September.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 58% of American homeowners feel the value of their home is more than what they still owe on their mortgage. That is unchanged from March and consistent with views since last October. Thirty-one percent (31%) now say their home is not worth more than they owe. 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 672 Adult Homeowners was conducted on May 18-19, 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.

Most Workers Like Their Boss

Most Americans look forward to going to work perhaps in large part because they like the people they work with.

Sixty-eight percent (68%) of working Americans rate their boss or supervisor as good or excellent, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Just nine percent (9%) give their boss poor marks. This shows little change from last year. (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 612 Working Americans was conducted on May 12-13, 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.

43% Rarely or Never Contact the Office While on Vacation

More American workers than ever plan on using all of their vacation time this year, and fewer are connecting with work while they are away.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 61% of Employed Adults plan to use all of their vacation time this year, while 24% do not. Fifteen percent (15%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here).

62% Look Forward to Going to Work

The number of employed Americans who put in more than 40 hours a week on the job has increased since a year ago, but most still say they look forward to going to work each day.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 28% of Working Americans say they work a 40-hour week. Thirty-eight percent (38%) work more than that, with 10% who work more than 50 hours a week.  (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 612 Working Americans was conducted on May 12-13, 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.

51% Favor Raising Minimum Wage to $10.10 an Hour

Support for raising the minimum wage remains unchanged from earlier this year, with half of Americans continuing to favor President Obama's proposal to push it up to $10.10 an hour.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 51% of American Adults favor raising the federal minimum wage from $7.25 to $10.10. That’s essentially unchanged from late February but down from a high of 61% in July of last year. Thirty-nine percent (39%) still oppose raising the minimum wage to that level, also unchanged from February but up from 29% last summer. Nine percent (9%) 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 May 6-7, 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.