President Barack Obama tops the Republican presidential frontrunners in hypothetical head-to-head matchups, according to a new survey.

The ABC/Washington Post Poll indicated Obama is ahead of Mitt Romney, 51 percent to 45 percent, among registered voters. The new figure is the first time Obama cracked 50 percent against the former Massachusetts governor in the survey. He received 46 percent to Romney's 47 percent in mid-January.

It appears Obama was also aided by an increase in support among independent voters, who were split 48 percent for Obama and 47 percent for Romney. The former Massachusetts governor held a 12-point edge in January.

The new figures showed Romney's business background, which he often touts on the campaign trail, is a positive element of his candidacy. He held a narrow edge over Obama on who is best to handle the economy.

The president also bested Gingrich, 54 percent to 43 percent, among registered votes, although it was a smaller margin than the 15 percent by which Obama led the former House speaker in January.

In an interview on Sunday the president said he deserves a second term. The poll found 49 percent of registered voters agreed, while 49 percent said he does not deserve a second term.

But the president did not fare as well among independent voters, who will likely play a significant role in the 2012 elections.

Obama received a 47 percent approval rate among the key voting bloc and a 50 percent disapproval figure.

The poll questioned 1,000 adults between Wednesday and Saturday with a sampling error of plus or minus four percentage points.