More than 80% of U.S. investors polled by a financial investment Web site believe that stock markets are currently undergoing a correction, not a crash, while 11% believe markets are in a crash mode. About 9% were unsure what mode U.S. equities markets are in. Additionally, 60% of the 2,951 respondents to the informal July 1 email and Web site poll conducted by ADVFN believed the U.S. markets would end higher this year. To wit: 65% said the Dow Jones Industrial Average would be higher and 62% believe the Nasdaq composite index would be higher at year end. Only 24% of respondents moved their money out of equities. Of that group, 49% moved their money defensively--into cash, money markets funds or CDs. About 16% moved their money into futures and options while 14% moved their money into bonds and 14% moved their money into commodities. A small percentage said they had moved their money into real estate or other investments.
“Retail investors have taken a pragmatic view of the recent [market] correction and still see the long-term market as benign,” explained Clem Chambers, ceo of ADVFN, currently the top stocks and investment Web site in Europe. It has had a dedicated U.S. Web site for two years.