Ho-Hum: Investors Unfazed by Political Environment

Spectrem Group’s Affluent Investor Confidence Indices Remain Flat in July

CHICAGO, IL–(Marketwired – August 01, 2016) – The Spectrem Affluent Investor Confidence indices remained essentially unmoved in July, Spectrem Group reported today in its High Net Worth Insights newsletter.

The Spectrem Affluent Investor Confidence Index (SAICI®) stands at 4 for the second consecutive month. The Spectrem Millionaire Investor Confidence Index (SMICI®) dipped one point to 8. Both remain in mildly bearish territory (-10 to 10).

Since 2004, the monthly Spectrem Affluent Investor Confidence indices have tracked changes in investment sentiment among the 16.3MM households in America with more than $500,000 of investable assets (SAICI), and those with $1MM or more (SMICI). This month’s survey was fielded between July 19 and July 25.

Sell in May and stay away

While markets have recovered from the June sell-off tied to the Brexit vote, Spectrem’s indices show an uptick in the number of investors planning to hold on the sidelines in the coming month. Affluent investors surveyed by Spectrem Group indicated that stock market conditions are the primary factor affecting their current investment plans.

“Although the July Spectrem Affluent Investor Confidence indices were flat, we did find modest signs of optimism in the Spectrem Affluent Household Outlook,” Spectrem President George H. Walper, Jr. said. “This indicates a cautious short-term investment mindset, but at the same time, increased confidence about long-term personal financial prospects. While the US. Presidential campaign continues to dominate the news, Affluent investors appear to be more interested in economic issues that impact them directly.”

Charts, including a deeper analysis of the Index and its methodology are available upon request.

Additional insights include: The Spectrem Affluent Investor Confidence Indices Flat in July:

Top Takeaways for Advisors and Providers:

• In the face of investor malaise, it is up to advisors to talk to clients about their investment concerns and share with them market trends that could give them a fact-based foundation on which to base investment decisions.
• Establish a mutually agreed-upon period for review of your clients’ investment or financial plan to ensure they are on track.
• Affluent investors indicate they are feeling confident about their long-term household outlook. Review issues such as household assets and income with them in relation to their financial plan.

Index range: -31 to -51, Bearish; -11 to -30, Mildly Bearish; 10 to -10, Neutral; 11 to 30, Mildly Bullish; 31 to 51, Bullish.

About Spectrem Group: Spectrem Group (www.spectrem.com) strategically analyzes its ongoing primary research with investors to assist financial providers and advisors in understanding the Voice of the Investor.