Spectrem millionaires inch toward optimism

The Spectrem Millionaire Investor Index rose eight points in March to -26, returning to a “mildly bearish stance.”
APR 01, 2009
The Spectrem Millionaire Investor Index rose eight points in March to -26, returning to a “mildly bearish stance.” This rise comes after a 13-point decline that hit a near-record low of -34 in February. The index is a subset of Spectrem Affluent Investor Index, which is based on a monthly survey of 250 financial decision-makers in households with $500,000 or more in investible assets. The Spectrem Affluent Investor Index also rose eight points in March to a figure of -30. Although the figures in March do mark improvement in investment optimism among the affluent, an open-ended question investigating threats to financial goals revealed underlying investor concerns. Twenty-seven percent of respondents said the economy was the most serious threat to their financial goals, 18% said the political climate, 16% cited market conditions as a concern and 9% said unemployment. “The stock market’s improvement, together with low energy prices and some good news on home construction, contributed to the improvement,” George H. Walper, Jr., president of Spectrem Group of Chicago, said in a statement. “However, it’s too early to know whether investment optimism is truly stabilizing for the nation’s wealthiest investors.”

Latest News

Roughly three-fifths of Americans agree on higher taxes for large corporations, higher-income households
Roughly three-fifths of Americans agree on higher taxes for large corporations, higher-income households

Pew survey reveals slight majority consensus on tax rates, but views splinter based on political alignment and income levels.

The Fed's going to cut rates
The Fed's going to cut rates

While the Federal Reserve's decision to hold interest rates steady in March was widely expected, it's the reactions from financial professionals that provide a more nuanced picture of the central bank's approach.

Ontario Pension Fund revamps PE business in light of global risk
Ontario Pension Fund revamps PE business in light of global risk

The pioneering member of Canada's Maple Eight is stepping back from its go-it-alone private equity approach as a drought in deals and Trump's trade war prompt a rethink.

Raymond James, RBC reel in UBS advisors managing over $690M in assets
Raymond James, RBC reel in UBS advisors managing over $690M in assets

The firms' latest additions in Florida and Nevada come as a strategic change at UBS raises risk of advisor defections.

Assetmark debuts new advisor succession planning program
Assetmark debuts new advisor succession planning program

The new program offers opportunities and events structured for rookies, next-gen advisor leaders, and soon-to-exit veterans.

SPONSORED Beyond the all-in-one: Why specialization is key in wealth tech

In an industry of broad solutions, firms like intelliflo prove 'you just need tools that play well together'

SPONSORED Record growth: Interval funds emerge as key players in alternative investments

Blue Vault Alts Summit highlights the role of liquidity-focused funds in reshaping advisor strategies