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Economy
Investors Split on Whether Market Will Go Higher This Year
Economy

Investors Split on Whether Market Will Go Higher This Year

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Story Highlights

  • 49% of investors expect market to be higher at end of 2019
  • 28% predict stock prices will be same as today, 23% say they will be lower
  • Six in 10 investors concerned market is peaking

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Half of U.S. investors, 49%, were bullish on the stock market in the second quarter, saying they expected average stock prices to be higher by the end of 2019. At the same time, 23% were distinctly bearish, expecting prices to be lower at year's end while another 28% predicted they will be the same.

Investors' Prediction for Stock Market in 2019
Still thinking about the stock market, by the end of this year do you expect average stock prices to be a lot higher, a little higher, the same, a little lower or a lot lower than they are now?
Total higher The same Total lower Net bullish
% % % pct. pts
U.S. investors 49 28 23 26
Retirement status
Retired 49 33 18 31
Not retired 50 26 25 25
Gender
Male 57 20 23 35
Female 41 36 23 18
Age
18 to 49 46 27 26 20
50 to 64 57 23 20 37
65 and older 45 35 20 25
Amount invested
$100,000+ 54 26 20 34
Less than $100,000 46 28 26 20
Party ID
Republican 78 18 4 74
Independent 47 26 27 20
Democrat 29 37 33 -4
Net bullish= % total higher minus % total lower
Wells Fargo/Â鶹´«Ã½AV, May 6-12, 2019

Most subgroups of investors are moderately more positive than negative about the direction of the market. One exception is partisan groups, as Republicans overwhelmingly expect stock prices to increase (78%) while Democrats are slightly more likely to predict a decline than an increase (33% vs. 29%).

Other slight differences in investors' outlook for the market in 2019 are likely related to these party differences. In particular, men, investors with more than $100,000 invested and retirees -- all of whom tilt more Republican than their counterparts -- are more likely than women, lower asset investors and non-retirees to expect the market to increase.

These findings are based on the Wells Fargo/Â鶹´«Ã½AV Investor and Retirement Optimism Index second quarter survey, conducted by web May 6-12 using the Â鶹´«Ã½AV Panel. Investors for this survey are defined as adults with $10,000 or more invested in stocks, bonds or mutual funds, either within or outside a retirement savings account.

Four in 10 Investors Experiencing Wealth Effect

At the time of the poll, the stock market was doing well, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average holding steady at just under 26,000 throughout the seven-day field period. Survey respondents were asked to say how the market's current performance was making them feel on four different dimensions.

Sixty-one percent of investors said the market's performance made them concerned the market was peaking and poised to drop. At the same time, 53% said it made them feel more confident about their own retirement savings.

While not majorities, large segments of investors also said the market's performance was making them feel more comfortable about spending money (44%) and about their ability to make major purchases in the next year (40%). This so-called wealth effect may be reflected in the government's latest report on consumer spending, showing increases in purchases on motor vehicles, restaurants and hotel accommodations. Despite this, the increase in overall spending reported by the Commerce Department was fairly muted.

Stock Market Impact on Investors' Financial Confidence
Please say whether the stock market's performance right now is or is not making you feel each of the following ways.
Concerned market is peaking More confident in retirement savings More comfortable spending money More confident making major purchases
% % % %
U.S. investors 61 53 44 40
Retirement status
Retired 54 62 58 55
Not retired 64 50 38 33
Gender
Male 57 60 51 46
Female 65 46 37 33
Age
18 to 49 66 45 33 27
50 to 64 55 58 51 47
65 and older 60 61 55 51
Amount invested
$100,000+ 63 57 46 40
Less than $100,000 60 49 37 36
Party ID
Republican 28 87 79 73
Independent 66 43 37 31
Democrat 82 38 23 22
Wells Fargo/Â鶹´«Ã½AV, May 6-12, 2019

There are a few notable distinctions in these findings among subgroups of investors:

  • Non-retired investors are only slightly more likely than retired investors to say the market is peaking; however, they are much less likely to say the market's performance enhances their confidence in spending money or making major purchases.
  • Women are less likely than men to say the market makes them more comfortable about spending money or making major purchases.
  • Investors under age 50 are less likely than those 50 to 64 and 65+ to say the market makes them feel more confident in their retirement savings or about spending.
  • There is no difference by investment class in the perception the market is peaking, but lower asset investors are slightly less likely to say the market makes them feel more confident about their retirement savings or about spending money today.
  • Market-driven emotions are highly related to partisanship with most Republicans rejecting the idea that the market is peaking and feeling more confident about their savings and spending. Most Democrats predict the market is peaking and few say the market performance makes them feel confident about their finances.

Bottom Line

With the stock market back near record-high levels after a down year in 2018, investors are showing signs of concern. Half believe the market will continue to deliver gains in the second half of 2019, but the other half predicts the market will flat-line or retreat, neither of which is good for portfolios.

Still, green stock tickers make the slight majority of investors, particularly retirees, feel more confident about their retirement security. Such confidence can have dividends for the economy if healthy portfolios cause investors to boost their spending -- a phenomenon known as the wealth effect. About four in 10 investors, fueled mostly by Republicans, report feeling this way. One reason this isn't reflected in stronger overall consumer spending could be that Republicans' exuberance about the stock market is offset by Democrats' heavy skepticism.


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