Q1 - 2025
Finimize Modern Investor Pulse
We asked thousands of retail investors from our million-strong global community about what they’re expecting and how they’re planning to invest in the first quarter of 2025. Stock markets around the world hit multiple record highs, boosted by the seemingly never-ending growth of AI-related tech stocks and the long-awaited arrival of interest rate cuts. And as a result, retail investor optimism hit record highs.
Here’s a preview of the highlights from the Q1 Pulse
71% of retail investors think global stock markets will be higher in 12 months
54% plan to invest at least $10,000 in the next year
72% believe the Republican presidential victory is good for the stock market
67% think bitcoin will be higher in 12 months, and over a quarter plan to invest in crypto
The Finimize Index
Retail Investor Sentiment Vs. The S&P 500
The Finimize Index tracks retail investor sentiment across our 1.1 million global community and is updated every quarter. The percentage of respondents who think global stock markets will be higher a year from now has shot to its highest level since our survey began, coinciding with the S&P 500 hitting fresh new highs.
Q: Do you think global stock markets will be higher 12 months from now?
Q: SINCE THE US ELECTION RESULTS WERE ANNOUNCED, HAVE YOU SEEN ANY GAINS IN YOUR INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO?
The S&P 500 is up some 4% since the week of the US election and bitcoin is up 44%. It’s perhaps no surprise, then, that modern retail investors have seen those benefits in their portfolios.
Certain sectors have rallied more than the average below the surface of the key US stock market index, which helps explain the large proportion of retail investors who saw above-average short-term gains.
Big tech continues to attract big bets
Nvidia remains the top stock of modern retail investors. 34% say they plan to invest in the AI chipmaking darling in the next six to 12 months – slightly up from last quarter’s 32%. Respondents’ intentions to invest in other tech giants largely held steady: second to Nvidia was Apple (29%), Amazon (27%), and Microsoft (27%).
However, investors have turned their attention to Berkshire Hathaway: 21% now plan to invest in Warren Buffett’s firm, up from 16% last quarter.
Get The Full Q1 2025 Report
The full report dives deep into the minds of retail investors and the trends shaping how they'll invest in the quarter ahead.
