Americans’ growing optimism about the housing market continues, with 56% of Americans now expecting average home prices in their local area to increase. That is up from 33% just two years ago, and from a low of 21% in January 2011, but still below the readings of 60% or higher […] Read more »
Retirement Remains Americans’ Top Financial Worry
A firm majority of Americans, 59%, are worried about not having enough money for retirement, surpassing eight other financial matters. A majority of Americans have reported being “very” or “moderately” worried about retirement savings every year since 2001, illustrating that saving for retirement disquiets Americans in both good and bad […] Read more »
Economic Confidence Stable at -15
Gallup’s Economic Confidence Index averaged -15 for the week ending April 20. This is consistent with the previous three weekly readings, which have been either -15 or -16. But it is higher than the -20 recorded in early March, the low point so far for 2014. CONT. Justin McCarthy, Gallup Read more »
Consumer Comfort in U.S. Climbs From Lowest Level in Nine Weeks
Consumer confidence rose from a nine-week low as Americans grew more upbeat about the economy, their finances and the buying climate. The Bloomberg Consumer Comfort (COMFCOMF) Index rose to minus 29.1 in the period ended April 13 from minus 31.9 the prior week, the weakest reading since the start of […] Read more »
On Economy, Americans Less Confident in Federal Leaders
Less than half of Americans (42%) have confidence in President Barack Obama on doing or recommending the right thing for the economy — the lowest figure Gallup has on record for him. New lows in confidence were also found for Democratic leaders (35%), while Republican leaders in Congress received the […] Read more »
Populism? Where are the pitchforks?
Americans are in a surly mood, confronting rules they feel are rigged against them. President Barack Obama captured this populist temper in his re-election campaign. He then launched his second term declaring that inequality is the “most pressing challenge of our time,” and laying out a popular agenda to raise […] Read more »