Gas Prices Not Affecting Market Outlook for Majority of Investors

This week’s Sentiment Survey special question asked AAII members how, if at all, gasoline prices are impacting their outlook for stock prices. The majority of respondents (58%) say gas prices aren’t influencing their expectations for the stock market. Several of these respondents view gas prices as moving independently of stock prices. An additional 5% say gas prices have not risen enough to affect stock prices, while another 4% say prices usually rise as summer approaches. Slightly more than 6% say rising gasoline prices hurt consumer spending.

Here is a sampling of the responses:

• “Gasoline prices are not impacting my outlook for the market.”
• “I don’t foresee gasoline prices having a significant impact on the overall stock market.”
• “I think as long as gasoline prices stay within a fairly broad range, there will not be a great effect.”
• “Poor timing for the summer vacation season.”
• “I suspect they will not go up high enough to make a major difference in the economy.”

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