Nearly one in three experienced investors believe a Fed rate increase would hurt their portfolio

E*TRADE Financial Corporation (NASDAQ:ETFC) today announced results from the most recent wave of StreetWise, E*TRADE’s quarterly tracking study of experienced investors. Results show investors have grown increasingly more negative toward the market, with bearish sentiment the highest it has been all year.

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A significant portion of the population also has a negative view on Federal Reserve rate increases, where nearly one in three experienced investors believe a rate hike would hurt their portfolio.

“Retail investors and industry experts agree that a rate increase within the next year is extremely likely,” said Michael Loewengart, VP, Investment Strategy at E*TRADE Financial. “Investors may wish to review their portfolios now, before interest rates rise, to help ensure their holdings are effectively positioned.”

Mr. Loewengart offered the following general insights for investors concerned about Fed rate hikes:

  • Ladders may help. A bond-laddering strategy is a mix of short, intermediate, and long-term bonds, which may help reduce interest-rate risk in a rising interest rate environment. With this strategy, an investor creates a portfolio of fixed income with different maturities in an effort to provide consistent income and price stability as rates rise.
  • There may be opportunities outside of bonds. Bonds are not the only asset class affected by rate hikes. Investors may also consider exploring stocks in industries and sectors likely to benefit from rising rates, such as industrials, financials, and real estate.
  • Diversify, diversify, diversify. As with any portfolio, diversification remains a key ingredient for success. Diversifying across markets and within asset classes may reduce a portfolio’s sensitivity to rate hikes.

For the full report and infographic of the Q315 StreetWise study results, click here.

E*TRADE helps investors balance today’s needs with tomorrow’s goals, through pioneering digital tools and personalized, smart guidance online and from seasoned financial consultants. To learn more about E*TRADE’s trading and investing platforms and tools, visit etrade.com.

For useful insight from E*TRADE and third-party investment professionals, follow the company on Twitter, @ETRADE.

About E*TRADE Financial

E*TRADE Financial and its subsidiaries provide financial services, including online brokerage and banking products and services to retail customers. Specific business segments include Trading and Investing and Balance Sheet Management. Securities products and services, including stocks, bonds, mutual funds, options, and ETFs are offered by E*TRADE Securities LLC (Member FINRA/SIPC). Managed Account Solutions are offered through E*TRADE Capital Management, LLC, an investment adviser registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Bank products and services are offered by E*TRADE Bank, a Federal savings bank, Member FDIC, or its subsidiaries and affiliates. More information is available at www.etrade.com.

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About ResearchNow

ResearchNow, a leading digital data collection provider, powers market research insights. They enable companies to listen to and interact with the world’s consumers and business professionals through online panels, as well as mobile, digital, and social media technologies. Their team operates in over 20 offices globally and is recognized as the market research industry’s leader in client satisfaction. They foster a socially-responsible culture by empowering their employees to give back. To find out more or begin a conversation, visit www.researchnow.com.

About the Survey

This wave of the survey was conducted from July 1 to July 12 of 2015 among an online U.S. sample of 1004 self-directed active investors who manage at least $10,000 in an online brokerage account. The survey has a margin of error of ±3.1 percent at the 95 percent confidence level. It was fielded and administered by ResearchNow. The tracking study fields quarterly at the beginning of each quarter and does not reflect data from the complete quarter. The panel is broken into thirds of active (trade more than once a week), swing (trade less than once a week but more than once a month), and passive (trade less than once a month) investors. The panel is 65 percent male and 35 percent female with an even distribution across online brokerages, geographic regions, and age bands.

Referenced Data

 

  When it comes to the current market are you?                   Q314   Q414   Q115   Q215   Q315 Bullish 65% 59% 66% 59% 56% Bearish                   35%   41%   34%   41%   44%                                      

If the Federal Reserve were to raise interest rates, how, if at all, would it affect your portfolio? Higher interest rates would...(Question included only in the Q315 wave of the study)

Q315 Have a negative impact on my portfolio 32% Have a positive impact on my portfolio 17% Have no impact on my portfolio 35% I don't know   16%  

Important Notices

E*TRADE Financial, E*TRADE, and the E*TRADE logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of E*TRADE Financial Corporation.

© 2015 E*TRADE Financial Corporation. All rights reserved.

E*TRADE Financial Corporation and ResearchNow are separate companies that are not affiliated. E*TRADE Financial Corporation engages ResearchNow to program, field, and tabulate the study.

E*TRADE Media RelationsThayer Fox, 646-521-4418thayer.fox@etrade.comorE*TRADE Investor RelationsBrett Goodman, 646-521-4406brett.goodman@etrade.com

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