Discover the surge in retail investor interest as an eToro study reveals over 25% now include AI stocks in portfolios.
Discover the surge in retail investor interest as an eToro study reveals over 25% now include AI stocks in portfolios.
The eToro AI Stocks Study indicates that 27% of retail investors now include AI-related stocks in their portfolios. The comprehensive study surveyed 10,000 retail investors across 13 countries, delving into their exposure and perspectives regarding companies heavily investing in or developing AI technologies.
The survey uncovered that 25% of retail investors currently hold stocks linked to AI companies. Additionally, 35% expressed their intention to invest in AI firms in the future, while 30% conveyed disinterest in AI-related stocks. Notably, younger investors showcased a robust appetite for this dynamic sector, with 43% of those aged 18-34 having exposure to AI-related stocks. This figure decreases to 34% for 35-44 year-olds, 28% for 45-54 year-olds, and significantly drops to 11% for investors aged over 55.
Geographical disparities were evident, with retail investors in the US (32%) and the Czech Republic (33%) leading in AI stock investments. Conversely, Australian investors exhibited the lowest interest, with only 20% including AI-related stocks in their portfolios.
Beyond stock ownership, the study explored the incorporation of AI technology into investors’ decision-making processes. Findings revealed that 12% of investors are presently utilizing ChatGPT-style tools to assist in selecting investments. Strikingly, younger investors, particularly those aged 18-34, demonstrated a higher adoption rate of these tools, with 20% leveraging AI tools, in contrast to the 3% among investors aged over 55.
Providing insight into the data, Ben Laidler, eToro Global Markets Strategist, highlighted the pivotal role AI stocks played in the tech sector’s resurgence in 2023, propelling the S&P 500 into bull market territory. Laidler acknowledged the transformative impact of generative AI technologies and the discernible preference among retail investors for AI-related investments over the past 12 months.
Looking ahead, the study explored investors’ priorities for future investments. Crypto emerged as the dominant choice, with 15% expressing a likelihood of increasing investments, followed by cash assets (13%) and domestic equities (12%). The technology sector emerged as the preferred industry for 14% of investors, followed by financial services (11%) and real estate, healthcare, and energy (all 9%). Laidler concluded that while investors are holding substantial levels of cash for flexibility amid economic uncertainties, they may deploy this “dry powder” for riskier investments as interest rates decline and market uncertainties ease in 2024.
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