Janus Henderson Investors today (4 September) released the findings of its 2024 'US Investor Survey: Insights for a Brighter Future', which reveal that uncertainty surrounding the upcoming presidential election, economic backdrop and interest rate environment has some US investors reducing portfolio risk.

Notably, just 42% of US investors that were surveyed are very satisfied with their current financial situation – down from 48% a year ago, and two-in-three (67%) believe the cost of living is increasing faster than their income.

“In times like these, all investors should keep in mind that changes to a portfolio designed to avoid short-term volatility can often jeopardise long-term goals,” said Matt Sommer, Head of Specialist Consulting Group at Janus Henderson Investors. “The news cycle is moving at an incredible pace and headlines can be unnerving, but US equities have remained remarkedly resilient in the face of elevated levels of uncertainty.”

An election year marked by tumult is clearly weighing on the minds of today’s investors, as 78% of survey respondents are concerned about how the upcoming presidential election may impact their financial situation over the next 12 months. In fact, more respondents are concerned about the election than are worried about persistent inflation (70%), high interest rates (57%), poor stock market performance (57%), or a potential recession (55%).

Longer-term (next 10 years), US investor concerns are related to broader, systemic domestic and global issues:
• Long-term impact of growing political discord within the US (77%)
• Rising cost of healthcare (67%)
• National debt (66%)
• US-China relations (64%)

During the past 12 months, 33% of survey respondents have shifted assets from equities to cash or fixed income investments and nearly as many investors (32%) say they are planning to shift assets from equities to cash or fixed income investments in the next 12 months. The primary reasons for shifting or planning to shift out of equities include higher interest rates, acting on a recommendation from their adviser, and feeling safer in cash or fixed income.

While nearly half of all respondents (54%) report they are preparing for a recession, this is down from 65% in 2023.

Amid elevated uncertainty, 43% of US investors who own mutual funds or ETFs say they prefer an equal mix of active and passive funds in their portfolio, 26% favour active managers, 18% passive managers, 10% have no preference and 3% were unsure.

The areas investors believe represent the best investment opportunities over the next few years include technology (73%), healthcare/biotech (62%), and real estate (38%).

Nearly three-in-four US investors (73%) believe that AI greatly increases the risk of financial exploitation, and 56% are very or somewhat concerned that they or a loved one could fall victim to financial exploitation. Millennials (66%) and members of Generation X (63%) are more likely to be concerned about financial fraud than Baby Boomers (48%) or members of the Silent Generation (43%).1

Across all generations, 45% of US investors who use a financial adviser report their adviser has already provided them with resources to help avoid financial fraud, 29% would like their adviser to provide these resources and the remaining 26% say they are not interested in these resources.

Sentiment surrounding AI isn’t entirely negative. Among those who use a financial adviser or those who would consider hiring one in the next two years, the majority feel good or neutral about their adviser using AI technology to create educational content (85%) or for administrative tasks (83%). However, over a third (36%) would object to their adviser using AI to make investment recommendations, and an even greater number (44%) would be upset if they learned their adviser used AI to respond to their texts or emails.

Among investors working with a financial adviser, 67% are very satisfied and 31% are somewhat satisfied with their relationship. Notably, when advisers address emotional needs, client satisfaction improves as the factors associated with higher levels of satisfaction include:
• Adviser provides peace of mind that I'm on track to reach my goals (cited by 79% of “very satisfied” clients)
• Cares about me as a person, beyond just my financial situation (72%)
• Provides financial education (65%)

Nearly half of advised US investors (42%) report their adviser is aged 50 years or older, and within this group, 42% said their adviser had addressed the topic of succession planning, 25% did not know their adviser’s plans but would be interested in learning more, and the remaining 32% did not see the need to address this topic.

“Growth-oriented financial advisers should view the challenges facing investors in this era of elevated uncertainty as an opportunity to strengthen their value proposition,” added Sommer. “Clearly, client satisfaction rates are very high among advised investors, however, with many advisers closing in on retirement, those who are able to build trust and differentiate themselves based on providing better client experiences will be rewarded.”