Investor Attitudes Rebound but Jitters About the Economy Persist

The Spectrem Affluent Investor Confidence Index (SAICI) climbed to 2 in May, still neutral territory, but a 9 point jump from last month. The Spectrem Millionaire Investor Confidence Index (SMICI) also remained in neutral territory, climbing 2 points to 1.

     This muted confidence in a sustained recovery is reflected in conflicting investor behaviors this month. More overall investors chose to Not Invest this month. There was a near equal rise in the Millionaire and Non-Millionaire households who chose this investment option. But investment in Cash and Bonds dropped, which would indicate that investors are ready to re-enter the market. Indeed, overall investing in Stocks increased. However, almost every other investment option from Stock Mutual Funds to Real Estate saw declines. “Investors seem to be in the ‘Ready, set’ position, but aren’t quite ready to say ‘Go,’” observed Tom Wynn, Director of Affluent research for the Spectrem Group.

     The overall Spectrem Affluent Household Outlook did rebound after dropping sharply in April. Investors overall expressed confidence in Household Income and Assets, Company Health and the Economy. The positive direction of the Outlook is being driven this month by Non-Millionaires, who are most optimistic about Company Health and Household Income.

      It has been a particularly newsworthy month, from the death of Osama bin Laden to the United States reaching its debt ceiling. But according to affluent investors, the stories they say are most impacting their economic outlook are the Political Environment and Gas and Oil Prices. While International Problems most compelled them last February when the tumult in the Middle East began, these have taken a back seat to pressing domestic issues such as the Economy, Unemployment and the Deficit.