Gallup poll: Real estate investment favored over stocks amid housing shortage

NewsWorks Tonight host Dave Heller sits down for his weekly conversation with Gallup’s Frank Newport to talk about trends in U.S. opinion.

President Donald Trump just completed his fifth quarter in office. He has the worse ratings in Gallup poll history for any president in his fifth quarter with President Ronald Reagan close behind — his job approval rating in the first quarter of 1982 was just seven points higher than Trump’s. Reagan went on to a landmark landslide re-election victory in 1984, suggesting the possibility that Trump’s approval ratings could recover — but the public was less polarized in 1984 than it is now.

The Veterans Administration continues to operate without a leader as Rear Adm. Ronny Jackson withdrew his nomination to serve in the capacity this week.

Then-candidate Trump lauded the nation’s men and women who serve — and there is broad bipartisan support for that sentiment and the importance of prioritizing veterans.

National reports continue to indicate a major U.S. housing shortage. New Gallup poll data show that many more Americans who don’t have a home want to buy one, than those who do have a home plan to sell. Young people want to buy as well.

About 64 percent of those polled believe house prices in their area will increase over the next year. About the same percentage say now is a good time to buy a house. Meanwhile, Americans say real estate is the best investment, beating out stocks, gold, CDs, and bonds. The percentage of Americans invested in the stock market is down in recent years, particularly among young people.

France was in the spotlight with French President Emmanuel Macron’s address to a joint session of Congress and the state dinner at the White House. Americans’ views of France have waxed and waned significantly over the years, but are back at a high point. The French, however, don’t reciprocate, and have a very dim view of U.S. leadership.

To hear the full conversation, listen to the audio above.