Number of Americans who hold individual stocks, stock mutual funds, stocks in 401(k) or IRA fell to 54% in April, the lowest level since 1999, when Gallup started monitoring stock ownership, survey says

Michelle Rivera

PRINCETON, New Jersey , April 20, 2011 (press release) – Even as stocks have returned to lofty heights from their March 2009 lows, the percentage of Americans saying they hold individual stocks, stock mutual funds, or stocks in their 401(k) or IRA fell to 54% in April -- the lowest level since Gallup began monitoring stock ownership annually in 1999. Self-reported stock ownership has trended downward since 2007 -- before the recession and financial crisis began -- when 65% of Americans owned stocks.

Eighty-seven percent of upper-income Americans -- those making $75,000 or more annually -- own stocks, as do 83% of postgraduates and 73% of college graduates. Sixty-four percent of Republicans hold stocks, compared with half of Democrats and independents. Men are more likely than women to be stock owners. Those aged 50 to 64 are the most likely of any age group to say they have money invested in the stock market.

Real Estate Viewed as the Best Long-Term Investment

Although home prices are declining, foreclosures continue unabated, and residential real estate remains in a virtual depression, 33% of Americans say real estate is the best long-term investment out of the four choices offered. This is up from 29% a year ago, but below the pre-recession 37% in 2007.

Americans' Ratings of Best Long-Term Investment, April of Each Year, 2007-2011

Fewer Americans, one in four, point to stocks as the best long-term investment. Just as many say this about savings accounts and CDs, while 12% say bonds are the best investment. Prior to the recession and financial crisis, real estate and stocks were favored much more than savings accounts and bonds.

Although one in three stock owners see stocks as the best long-term investment -- a higher percentage than is the case for Americans overall -- essentially the same number think real estate fits this description, similar to opinions among all Americans.

Men are most likely to choose real estate over the other three as the best long-term investment, while women are evenly split between savings accounts and real estate. Younger people, college graduates and those with some college education, and upper-income Americans are more likely than their demographic counterparts to view real estate as the best long-term investment option. Those living in the West, where prices have been most depressed are more likely than those in the South and especially the Midwest to point to real estate as best. Republicans and independents tend to favor real estate more than Democrats do.

Implications

The financial crisis and the losses it produced for many investors have combined with government bailouts and Wall Street scandals to turn many Americans away from investing in stocks. Even as stocks have surged over the past couple of years, it has been hard for most Americans to understand what is happening on Wall Street and why, leaving them hesitant to invest in the stock market.

On the other hand, housing and real estate have also experienced sharp losses in recent years and show no signs of significant recovery; still, many Americans see real estate as the best investment for the long term. In part, this may be because depressed prices in the real estate sector make it a relatively attractive investment when investors hold it for the long term. It could also be that Americans feel more comfortable with and better understand real estate as an investment compared with stocks and Wall Street.

Wall Street has a long way to go to earn back the trust of the average American. Still, half of Americans continue to invest in stocks. Real estate and housing also face major trust issues. However, Americans' choice of real estate as the best long-term investment they can make today is good news for housing, homeowners, and all those associated with real estate.

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