A recent Gallup poll reveals that Americans are more optimistic about the US economy and stock market than they have been in over a decade. 53% of respondents believe the economy will grow over the next six months, with a similar number expecting stocks to rise. However, only 33% expect inflation to decrease, while 41% anticipate interest rates to fall.
The poll’s results are largely aligned with those of economists and policymakers at the Federal Reserve, who have been fighting high inflation by raising interest rates in recent years. The Fed now projects a growth rate of 2.1% for this year, slightly lower than last year but above its long-term trend.
Notably, confidence in a rising stock market is widely shared across demographic groups, while opinions on the economy’s prospects vary significantly along party lines. Republicans are more optimistic about economic prospects under their party’s leadership, with 78% expecting improvement, compared to just 21% of Democrats.
Overall, the poll suggests that optimism is on the upswing, driven in part by high Republican expectations for economic growth.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/us/americans-have-high-hopes-trumps-economy-gallup-poll-shows-2025-02-03