Table content
**# Amidst Market Volatility, Investors Proceed Cautiously, Preserving Preferred Equities**
Current market slumps, along with ambiguous economic indications from the Executive Branch and a precipitous fall in consumer sentiment, have driven individual investor outlook to levels not seen in years.
According to our newest study of individual investors, 61% voiced “apprehension” or “some apprehension” regarding recent market happenings. Over 40% foresee an additional notable decrease of 10% or greater in the S\&P 500 within the coming three months. As a reaction to current market occurrences, one-third of those surveyed are diminishing their stock market holdings, whereas 26% are augmenting their investments in money market accounts.
Notwithstanding the widespread trepidation, our readers suggest they are maintaining their preferred equities, encompassing well-known entities such as Nvidia (NVDA), Apple (AAPL), Amazon (AMZN), and Microsoft (MSFT). The Financial Times, referencing VandaTrack statistics, conveys that retail investors have channeled almost \$70 billion into U.S. equities and exchange-traded funds thus far this year. Even with the S\&P 500 experiencing a correction and some of the biggest equities forfeiting trillions in value, this number persists considerably above the monthly norm.
**## Concerns Over Levies and Fears of Economic Downturn Predominate**
American levies and corresponding levies are the foremost anxieties for investors, with almost three-quarters of those surveyed designating them as a paramount concern. The deficiency of lucid and coherent economic and foreign strategy from the Executive Branch has infiltrated investor unease. Worries regarding a prospective economic downturn, inflation, Sino-American relations, and diminishing corporate earnings likewise rank among the leading five. Despite affirmations from the President, Treasury Secretary, and even the Federal Reserve that any consequence from levies is apt to be ephemeral and culminate in a singular price modification, numerous investors stay troubled about the direst possibility.
Three-fourths of those surveyed assume that there is a minimum of a 50% probability of a financial downturn in the upcoming year.
## Confidence in Government and Stock Exchange Falls
Investor concern regarding the security of their assets is considerably connected to their belief in the existing administration. Fifty percent of those surveyed predict that the regulations passed or suggested by the Trump administration will adversely affect their assets over the coming four years. Conversely, just a quarter think these regulations will be advantageous. Almost half (48%) revealed a decline in their confidence in the stock exchange under the present government, and a simple 37% anticipate the stock exchange to produce yields of 5% or greater yearly over the coming four years. This positive outlook is a stark 20 percentage points less than what we noticed in our February survey.
## Where Are Investors Withdrawing? Pre-Trading Insights: US Equity Futures Steady, Copper Surges on Tariff Rumors, and Dollar Tree Considers Family Dollar Sale
Amid the latest market slump, investors searching for security or diversification have discovered shelter in money market funds. A considerable 26% of those surveyed showed they have been boosting their assets in these funds, adhered to by ETFs, international stocks, and certificates of deposit (CDs).
Looking forward to the coming four years, a third of those surveyed view US stocks as the asset class with the most encouraging potential. This is adhered to by international stocks, gold, private equity, and even cryptocurrencies, recommending a search for diverse opportunities beyond conventional safe havens.
## What Might You Do with an Additional $10,000?
Assuming our readers had an additional $10,000, individual stocks remain their top investment choice, carefully adhered to by ETFs. However, excitement for both has diminished since February, while money market funds and CDs have acquired popularity as yields have remained appealing.
Settling debt has additionally risen on the list of what readers might do with an additional $10,000, perhaps another indication that individuals and households are feeling the pressure of increasing living expenses.
## Investopedia Readers’ Preferred Stocks
The stock holdings within individual investors’ portfolios remain reasonably consistent.
With more than 40% of investors stating that they still own the chipmaker’s shares, even though they are down almost 20% from their recent peaks, Nvidia is still the best option for investors. Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, and Google (GOOGL) have consistently followed for many years, completing the top five. As the automaker’s stock has decreased 40% from its recent high, Tesla (TSLA) has dropped out of the top ten. North Carolina Legislators Suggest Designating as Much as 5% of Retirement Fund Holdings to Digital Currency
A necessary purchase is Nvidia!
Nvidia is not only the stock that readers own the most, but also the one that they most desire to own over the next ten years. Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A, BRK.B) is their second option, demonstrating that value investing and diversification are still common today. Additionally, it is the stock that readers would purchase right away and keep for a very long time.
