Most people expect their finances to improve over the next year. But the percentage expressing personal financial optimism has declined, from 60% in January, to 55% in March, and 51% currently. Roughly four-in-ten (42%) say their financial situation will get worse (28%) or volunteer that it will stay the same (14%).

Personal financial optimism has declined among most demographic and political groups since January. Only about half (49%) of middle-income Americans (those with incomes greater than $50,000 and less than $75,000) express optimism that their finances will improve, compared with 65% in January. College graduates also have a gloomier outlook - 51% believe their financial situation will get better, down from 64% in January.

Young people and African Americans remain optimistic about their personal financial situation over the coming year. Among those younger than 30, seven-in-ten (71%) expect things to improve for them in the next year, compared with only 41% of those older than 50. And though blacks are significantly less optimistic than they were in January, they are still somewhat more likely than whites to expect their personal finances to improve in the next year (62% blacks, 50% whites).

Optimism among African Americans and the young is tied to the fact that their current financial situation leaves much room for improvement: just 22% of blacks and 37% of those younger than 30 rate their current economic situation as excellent or good.