Why ETF Investors Are Shying Away From Stocks

A recent survey took a look at where we’re putting our investment dollars - stocks, bonds, exchange traded funds (ETFs), mutual funds - and the results were telling.

The AAII Asset Allocation survey breaks both stock and bond investments into two subcategories: the percent invested directly in a stock or bond, and the percent allocated to a stock or bond fund. According to the most recent survey, the percentage of overall assets in single stocks are at an all-time low, says Two Cents Editors for CNN Money. The low is at 13% compared to an average of 31%.

The investment in stock funds right now is around 27%, pretty much in line with the long-term average of 29%. The steadiness can likely be attributed to people keeping up with their 401(k) contributions, which is great news.

Is this where ETFs can pick up where the direct stock investment dropped off? The diversification benefits and transparency are good attributes that take an ETF one step further than a single stock. The result is less risk because it is spread out over many stocks.

The answer is clear - it is in the numbers - that many people are just not that eager to put their money back into the market. The remarkable thing is that 16% is allocated to bond funds, double the usual normal in previous years, according to the study.

The best way to handle any type of investment is to have a strategy. By having a plan and sticking with it there are no mistakes and no emotion involved. The 200 day-moving-average is a good start as well as keeping up with the latest market trends.

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