Charles Schwab today released its Q2 2019 Retail Client Sentiment Report. Key highlights include:

  • Client outlook for the U.S. stock market remains slightly bearish, but the proportion of clients who think they are “better off financially” and it’s a “good time to invest” has increased since December 2018.
  • The U.S. political landscape is overwhelmingly the leading concern about investing among clients. Additionally, a third of clients believe the next economic downturn will occur in the next year.
  • Confidence among clients overall remains steady but has declined slightly among younger and mid-life clients.

“Following the extreme volatility we saw at the end of 2018, our retail clients became slightly bearish in their outlook for the U.S. stock market, and we’re seeing that sentiment hold through the first half of 2019,” said Charles Schwab senior vice president and branch network leader Joe Vietri. “They have their eyes on Washington and express some concern about an economic downturn, but despite those factors, overall investor confidence is stable.”

The full report is available here.

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Disclosures

Findings based on an online internal survey of 1,000 retail clients with at least $2,000 in statement equity conducted June 3-13, 2019.

Through its operating subsidiaries, the company provides a full range of wealth management, securities brokerage, banking, asset management, custody, and financial advisory services to individual investors and independent investment advisors. Its broker-dealer subsidiary, Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (member SIPC, www.sipc.org), and affiliates offer a complete range of investment services and products including an extensive selection of mutual funds; financial planning and investment advice; retirement plan and equity compensation plan services; referrals to independent fee-based investment advisors; and custodial, operational and trading support for independent, fee-based investment advisors through Schwab Advisor Services. Its banking subsidiary, Charles Schwab Bank (member FDIC and an Equal Housing Lender), provides banking and lending services and products. More information is available at www.schwab.com and www.aboutschwab.com.

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