Highlights of the survey include:
- The vast majority are satisfied with their portfolio management. Interestingly, 71% of investors are satisfied with how they managed their investments this year.
- Most investors are steadfast in their long-term plan. In 2020, the top financial lesson investors learned was to stay the course (50%). This was distantly followed by focusing on strategic market moves (19%) and saving for an emergency fund (15%).
- Digital tools and human advice are not either/or. As the year comes to a close, the number one move self-directed investors plan to make is to use an online tool to review their portfolio (38%), followed by reaching out to an advisor (35%). Further, investors’ top financial resolution for 2021 is to use online tools to diversify their portfolio and help meet goals (33%), followed by seeking the help of an investment professional (30%).
“The year kicked off with a market shock that may define a generation in COVID-19, and as a nation we then experienced a social movement of monumental proportions in the fight for equality, only to cap the year with the most contentious election in modern history,” said Mike Loewengart, Managing Director of Investment Strategy at E*TRADE Financial. “And these next few months may continue to see pronounced volatility as markets balance winter virus woes with vaccine developments. In spite all of this, it’s encouraging to see investors tune out the noise and remain focused on long-term investment goals.”