61% Believe Stock Prices Will Rise in 2011, Putnam Finds

Americans are beginning to have faith in the markets and the economy, Putnam Investments found in a survey of 1,000 people.

Sixty-one percent believe that stock prices will rise in 2011, and 52% said they are as or more financially secure than they were a year ago. Fifty-three percent expect unemployment will decrease in the coming year, and 43% are betting on a better housing market.

One third, 33%, believe the U.S. economy “will be much healthier” in 2011, indicating continued concern about the strength of the U.S. economy and the impact of the federal budget deficit.

Nonetheless, 45% believe “consumer confidence will get better” and 47% expect “consumers will start to spend again.”

Thirty-three percent said they saved more in 2010 than they did in 2009, and 46% said saving more was their No. 1 New Year’s resolution for 2011.

“These results show that, despite the fact that this has been a difficult year, Americans retain their essential optimism,” said Jeffrey R. Carney, head of global marketing, products and retirement at Putnam. “There is positive momentum in Washington on taxes, and that may serve to further improve consumer confidence and help to strengthen the recovery.”