Americans are more optimistic about the stock market and economic growth and more pessimistic about unemployment and inflation. These recent Gallup numbers paint a mixed picture for the six months leading up to the Midterm Elections.
By The Numbers:
Seventeen percent of Americans said they think the stock market will “go up a lot” in the next six months; 33% said it will “go up a little;” 17% said it will remain the same, 17% said it will “go down a little” and 8% said it will “go down a lot.”
Seventeen percent said economic growth will “go up a lot;” 32% said it will “go up a little;” 13% said it will stay the same; 21% said it will “go down a little;” and 15% said it will “go down a lot.”
Twenty-three percent said they think unemployment will “go up a lot;” 27% said it will “go up a little;” 16% said it will stay the same; 22% said it will “go down a little;” and only 10% said it will “go down a lot.”
Thirty-one percent said they think inflation will “go up a lot;” 31% said it will “go up a little;” only 9% said it will stay the same; 19% said it will “go down a little;” and just 7% said it will “go down a lot.”
The Bottom Line: While Americans are optimistic about the broader economic climate, with more believing there will be an improved stock market, lower interest rates, and more economic growth, they are still worried about their own immediate economic situation. This is a positive start, but the overall mood needs to shift in a positive direction on what voters are feeling when it comes to jobs and inflation.
