• Thirty-two percent had saved less than $5,000 thus far.
SEC Developing Investor Profile With Online Survey
The Securities and Exchange Commission is trying to get a read on the habits of individual investors, including what they want from a brokerage firm and how they use the Internet.
Investors are being invited to complete a Web-based survey the SEC launched in May at its www.sec.gov Web site. The survey will be taken until July 1.
"As technology continues to transform the securities markets, I‚m asking investors to share their experience and expectations with us," acting SEC Chairman Laura S. Unger says. "The survey results will give us valuable insights as we continue to develop programs and policies to help investors profit from technology while avoiding potential pitfalls."
Among the survey‚s questions is how much trading investors do with traditional versus online brokerage firms, how frequently investors trade and how they analyze risk.
Investors also are asked what qualities they look for in a stock broker, how much research they conduct before making a transaction and how they describe themselves as investors.
The SEC retained InfoQuest, an independent research firm, to conduct the survey and tabulate the responses. The SEC will analyze the results and issue a public report. The survey is filled out anonymously.
Managed Accounts, Wraps In Demand
Advisors‚ clients are taking a liking to separately managed and mutual fund wrap accounts.