Retail Investor Sentiment Increasingly Positive in the First Half of 2017 According to the Latest Schwab Wealth Management Monitor

Terri Kallsen, Executive Vice President and head of Schwab Investor Services (Photo: Business Wire)

SAN FRANCISCO--()--Charles Schwab today released its retail client behavior and sentiment report covering the first half of 2017.

Key highlights from the Schwab Wealth Management Monitor include:

  • Schwab retail clients overall were net buyers during the first half of 2017.
  • Average cash allocation across all retail clients decreased slightly to 19.8 percent (from 21.1 percent at the end of 2016).
  • Clients are seeking planning and advice with planning conversations up nine percent year-over-year and number of Schwab retail advisory accounts up 15 percent year-over-year.
  • Client outlook for the U.S. stock market is up, with 42 percent feeling bullish compared to 33 percent in Q2 2016.
  • Fifty-six percent of Schwab clients feel better off financially compared to a year ago – the highest reading since the end of 2014.

“Our retail clients are increasingly optimistic and have spent the first half of the year expanding their exposure to the market,” said Charles Schwab Executive Vice President and head of Investor Services Terri Kallsen. “They have their eyes on Washington and express some concern about the possibility of a market correction, but despite those factors, investor confidence is at a three-year high.”

The Q1/Q2 2017 Schwab Wealth Management Monitor report represents more than seven million retail client accounts and approximately $1.5 trillion in assets.

The full report is available here.

About Charles Schwab

At Charles Schwab, we believe in the power of investing to help individuals create a better tomorrow. We have a history of challenging the status quo in our industry, innovating in ways that benefit investors and the advisors and employers who serve them, and championing our clients’ goals with passion and integrity.

More information is available at www.aboutschwab.com. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn.

Disclosures

Findings based on an online internal survey of 988 retail clients with at least $2,000 in statement equity conducted June 5-14, 2017. Data analyzed by Koski Research.

Through its operating subsidiaries, The Charles Schwab Corporation (NYSE:SCHW) provides a full range of securities brokerage, banking, money management 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; compliance and trade monitoring solutions; 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. Koski Research is not affiliated with the Charles Schwab Corporation or its affiliates. More information is available at www.schwab.com and www.aboutschwab.com.

Investment Products: Not FDIC Insured • No Bank Guarantee • May Lose Value.

(0717-7YA9)

Contacts

Charles Schwab
Michael Cianfrocca, 415-667-0344
michael.cianfrocca@schwab.com

Release Summary

Charles Schwab released its retail client behavior and sentiment report covering the first half of 2017.

Contacts

Charles Schwab
Michael Cianfrocca, 415-667-0344
michael.cianfrocca@schwab.com