What’s going on here? Exclusive data from the Modern Investor Pulse showed that everyday investors are predicting a strong 2025 for stocks and crypto. What does this mean? Finimize spoke to thousands of retail investors from its million-strong global community – and 72% of respondents said they believe the US election results bode well for stock markets and investor confidence. Not surprising, since almost three-quarters saw gains in their portfolios immediately after the vote. In fact, that might explain a lot about the overall optimism: 71% of the survey’s respondents predicted that global stock markets will be higher in a year, and 67% said bitcoin’s price will rise over the same period. As for where most folks said they’re investing, Nvidia was a clear favorite, followed by other AI-linked Big Tech names. But the sector didn’t hold every top spot: Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway was a notable addition to the leading choices. Why should I care? For markets: Some stick, others twist. Sure, 70% of respondents said they weren’t making major investment changes after the election result – but that still left 30% changing things up. Those investors were looking to increase their allocations to stocks in the tech, energy, and financial sectors, invest more in alternatives, and shrink their exposure to assets along the environmental, social, and governance theme. The bigger picture: Don’t get carried away by the chatter. A record 26% of retail investors said they plan to invest in crypto assets in the next year. On the surface, that may make sense: the incoming US administration is said to be pro-digital assets, and that’s helped drive the price of bitcoin to nearly $100,000. But it’s worth remembering that it’s the exiting party that oversaw the approval and introduction of bitcoin futures and spot exchange-traded funds. And that – despite what folks say – neither party is likely to be all of one thing and none of the other. |