WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Americans are concerned about the present state of the economy and believe conditions are worsening, but their six-month predictions for specific aspects of the economy are less dire -- particularly in terms of the stock market and economic growth.When asked about the trend in economic growth over the next six months, 48% of Americans think it will go up by a lot or a little while slightly fewer, 42%, think it will go down.The April 14-28 poll was conducted just prior to the Commerce Department's April 29 announcement that the GDP fell by 4.8% in the first quarter.
That merely confirmed weeks of reports that the economic shutdown resulting from COVID-19 was throttling the economy. Thus, many Americans may assume the