The Mood of Money

Investor Confidence Hit by December Rate Hike

Affluent are eying the sidelines

CHICAGO, IL–(Marketwired – Jan 5, 2016) – The Federal Reserve’s December 16th announcement of a quarter point increase in interest rates drove heightened market volatility, contributing to a significant decline in the Spectrem Affluent Investor Confidence indices for the month.

The Spectrem Affluent Investor Confidence Index (SAICI®) dropped 3 points in December to 4, while the Spectrem Millionaire Investor Confidence Index (SMICI®) fell 4 points to 11.

The indices, compiled by Spectrem Group, a market research and consulting firm specializing in the affluent and retirement markets, measure the investment confidence and outlook of the 16MM households in America with more than $500,000 of investable assets (SAICI), and those with $1MM or more (SMICI).

Time-Out

This month’s survey was fielded between Dec. 14-21. For the fourth consecutive month, there was an increase in the number of Affluent investors indicating they would hold on the investment sidelines in the coming month.
“During 2015, investors faced significant market swings fueled by ongoing speculation over when the Federal Reserve would finally tighten interest rates,” noted George H. Walper, Jr., president of Spectrem Group. “The initial turmoil in the market following the announcement of the FOMC’s decision confirmed these concerns, and played a critical role in the December drop in the Spectrem Affluent Investor Confidence indices.”

Charts, deeper analysis of the Index and methodology are available upon request. Additional insights include:

Affluent Investor Confidence Dips in December on Market, Economy Concerns

Economy, Political Climate Concerns on the Rise

Millionaire and Affluent Spectrem Investor Indices – video link

The Mood of our Money

August

 2015

 September

 2015

 October

 2015

 November

 2015

 December

 2015

Affluent Investor Confidence Index®

  9

  6

  4

  7

 4

 Millionaire Investor Confidence Index®

  17

 14

  6

 15

  11

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.
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