Market’s First-Half Performance Better Than Expected for Majority of Investors

Last week’s Sentiment Survey special question asked AAII members how the stock market’s performance during the first half of this year compared to what they expected back in January. Three-quarters (75%) of respondents say this year’s returns were better than they expected. Some of these respondents add that volatility was also higher than they anticipated. About 20% of all respondents say the market’s gains were matched with expectations.

Here is a sampling of the responses:

• “First-half 2019 performance was much more robust than I expected.”
• “More bullish than I expected, even though I was bullish in January.”
• “About on course. I’m a bit worried going forward due to talk of recession.”
• “I did not expect the volatility, but I expected the market to be up slightly.”

During the survey period leading up to the Fourth of July holiday, we asked AAII members what they most prefer to eat at barbecues. Hot dogs and hamburgers topped the list, picked by more than one-third of all respondents (38%). Ribs came in second at 19%, followed by corn at 13%.

If you want to become an effective manager of your own assets and achieve your financial goals, consider a risk-free 30-day Trial AAII Membership