These poll numbers were released earlier today by Rasmussen Reports -- "an electronic publishing firm specializing in the collection, publication, and distribution of public opinion polling information."
The Rasmussen Consumer Index, which measures the economic confidence of consumers on a daily basis, held relatively steady on Friday, rising just over half a point to 74.1. The index is up three points over the past week but it is identical to the index measured one month ago. Consumer confidence is up 14 points from the beginning of 2009.
Nationally, only 19% of adults say their personal finances are getting better while 48% say their finances are getting worse. While 24% of men report their finances are improving, only 14% of women do the same. Most women (54%) say their finances are getting worse, compared to 42% of men.
The Rasmussen Investor Index, which measures the economic confidence of investors on a daily basis, gained a point on Friday to 83.6. While the index is down just one point from last week, it is down six points from its level a month ago. Still, investor confidence is up 21 points from the start of the year.
Among investors, 25% report their finances are getting better and 40% say they are getting worse.
The Discover Small Business Watch shows that the economic confidence of small business owners plunged in November . Also, the Rasmussen Employment Index declined last month as hiring expectations decreased. Confidence in the housing market also stalled in November. Now just 59% of homeowners believe their homes are worth more than their mortgage . Twenty-eight percent (28%) say their home is not worth more than the mortgage.
The Country Financial Security Index, a bi-monthly measure of financial security, held steady in November .
The Rasmussen Consumer Index and Investor Indexes are derived from nightly telephone surveys of 500 adults and reported on a three-day rolling average basis. The baseline for the Index was established at 100.0 in October 2001. Readings above 100.0 indicate that confidence is higher than in the baseline month.
The Rasmussen Consumer Index reached its highest level ever at 127.0 on January 6, 2004. The all-time low was reached on March 10, 2009 at 54.7.
The Rasmussen Investor Index reached its highest level ever at 150.9 on January 7, 2004. The lowest level ever measured was 52.5 on March 9, 2009.
The baseline for the Rasmussen Consumer Index was established at 100.0 in October 2001. At 74.1, overall levels of economic confidence are significantly lower today than they were in the aftermath of the 9-11 terrorist attacks