Schwab Survey Finds Traders Optimistic

Active traders expect markets to rebound, despite the recent volatility, according to a survey by Charles Schwab Corp.

The quarterly Charles Schwab Active Trader Sentiment survey, which was released Tuesday, found that 81% of 260 individual investors who trade frequently have a neutral or bullish outlook for the market in the next six months, virtually unchanged from the last survey, in February.

Fifty-three percent said they expect the economy to show clear signs of recovery within the next 12 months and 63% plan to increase their trading activity in the next six months, up from 49% in February.

The June survey also found more evidence that active traders are looking for ways to better manage risk in their portfolios.

For example, there is a clear increase in the number of traders who use exchange-traded funds as a way to gain exposure to sector or industry trends; 43% of respondents are trading ETFs and 28% said ETFs are their preferred investment vehicle, up from 24% in February.

Despite the recent market volatility, 57% currently hold 30% or less of their long-term portfolio in cash or cash investments.

Half of respondents said that they think that the U.S. market is currently the most attractive, followed by emerging markets with 32% and Asian markets with 18%.

Forty percent of traders said that when the financial markets start to recover, financial stocks will lead the rally. About a third (32%) said technology stocks with 32% will lead it.

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