Sixty-one percent of retail investors in E-Trade Financial’s second-quarter tracking poll, released Friday, were bullish about the current market, up significantly from 45% in the first quarter.
Fifty-nine percent expected the market to end the quarter up by 5% or more.
E-Trade uses titles of popular movies to gauge investors’ views toward the market. In the new survey, Easy Rider and Singin’ in the Rain increased significantly. However, Dazed and Confused remained the top choice, a position it has held since last year’s third quarter.
“Recent strong market performance at home has boosted investor optimism, but global instability — and its effects on our domestic economy — continues to weigh on investors’ minds,” Mike Loewengart, vice president of investment strategy at E-Trade Financial, said in a statement.
“With many factors at play, including global central bank policies, volatile energy prices and corporate earnings season, investors are wise to remain focused on long-term goals, even while considering potential opportunities.”
E-Trade in early April polled an online U.S. sample of 907 self-directed active investors who manage at least $10,000 in an online brokerage account.
Eighty-four percent of investors surveyed thought the U.S. economy was in fair or better shape. But their positive market views notwithstanding, only 41% considered the economy strong enough for the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates this quarter.
As rates rise, 55% of investors said they would tweak their portfolios, while 43% would make no changes.