Are businesses growing more optimistic?

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I -- move and I traveling across our final little country often do Moines Iowa right now look -- -- -- an island with a straight now vice president retirement investment services of the Principal Financial Group.

Good glad to -- you with us on this Good Friday.

Thanks -- -- to be here.

Right so you're starting to see that businesses are becoming more optimistic I think.

But the economic data is just so confusing are today's -- -- -- in particular.

Yeah you know that this is the this is the -- here that we've done are are what we call our well being index.

And this quarter's results are are kind of encouraging.

We're seeing optimism on the rise as a relates to the economy the people's ability to think they're gonna to achieve their financial dreams.

So we're seeing a nice uptick in the level of optimism.

And some of the questions that we asked the service.

OK so you're seeing a sharp increase in optimism up 27%.

-- -- 7% up from twelve last year that's pretty darn big increase.

It it is a nice increase I'd say the same time though there's still -- level.

Of caution so when he asked people about their you know their feelings about their long term financial security.

The other still is some kind of caution so it is at all.

It is it all rosy in terms of the news but it is encouraging to see that some level of optimism is starting to creep into.

Of the feelings of American workers.

-- -- -- -- when you only have I'm 43%.

Workers indicating confidence in their ability to achieve their financial -- You know what's up with the other 69.

But I can't adds 59%.

57%.

Right yeah -- -- embers and of people out there that don't.

Are not -- company at all.

There are quite a few people are feeling confident one of the things that we have continued to find.

Through our retirement business and -- other employee benefit businesses -- -- principal.

Is there is a difference between.

Not only the level of optimism and confidence.

And workers.

But in terms of them taking action based on whether or -- -- work with the financial advisor and we're definitely seeing that trend continue.

So those who work with -- financial advisor tend to be more optimistic.

They've taken more steps they've done the calculation in terms of how much they're gonna need to save for retirement.

Interestingly that -- found that male workers are more confident than female why's that.

You know that that's that's one of the findings that we're starting to see here is there are some gender differences in terms of the level of confidence and there is a difference between.

Males and females in that level of confidence.

You know its interest thing I think -- keep an eye on that trend.

You know the statistics in terms of how much people are saving for retirement.

And whether or not they're saving -- that kind of eleven to 15% over the course of their career.

And -- look at actual savings rate would indicate that maybe the males are being a little too optimistic -- compared to the females.

That you know an.

-- -- -- Do you think it -- anything to do with the fact that more and more women are controlling the money in the household.

So we see it on data -- constant dollar basis I go to the foods and I'm a single mom I run my own house holds up.

But more and more women are in touch with the fact that.

Milk is expensive eggs -- expensive everything is really expensive and so while sure maybe he feels good it work.

I'm out there we are out there on the ground -- and we get that it's kinda scary.

Yeah I think that -- very much -- play into some of the results of the survey.

Up interestingly you said that your survey show that workers are going to irresponsible of their refunds this year that means no European vacations and a.

That's right you know we've seen this actually coming out of the financial crisis.

Is there seems to be a little bit of a change in behavior in terms of long term spending what -- -- to do with your tax refund and so we see about half the people saying.

You know I'm gonna save that tax refund if I get one I'm gonna invest that money I'm gonna pay down my debt.

So kind of a nice behavior change coming out of the financial crisis couple years ago.

I tell you about in -- in your survey is that thirty's you surveyed the presidential elections -- you said 37% plan to be more involved in the election in the past.

I don't -- that's a big enough number I mean maybe well.

We would agree with you was well and obviously getting involved in the political process -- -- a lot of different things a lot of different people.

But obviously we have an important election year coming up and it's a good thing for people get involved.

-- -- Where they sit out the results -- your survey sir.

You can check out the results at www.

Principal dot com.

Excellent it's good stuff and really since fit CNN's somebody out there's feeling better about the things.

We agree it's encouraging.

With an amount thank you so much for being -- sir thank you.

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