Investors Have a Low Tolerance For Stock Market Declines, According to MagnifyMoney Survey

19% of investors said they could only tolerate up to a 5% market decline before giving up on stocks for retirement.

NEW YORK, March 4, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Many investors can't stomach minor dips in the stock market, according to the latest survey by MagnifyMoney, a LendingTree company, and as evident in the market drops driven by coronavirus fears. The report revealed 19% of investors said they would tolerate no more than a 5% market decline before giving up on stocks for retirement.

“Volatile markets can make us feel uncertain or scared about the future, and our survey shows that many Americans' first instinct is to flee with their money, locking in a loss which may leave them out of potential market rebounds and meaningful gains,” said Josh Rowe-Heupler, general manager of investing for LendingTree/MagnifyMoney. “Anxiety around the stock market is normal, but that doesn't mean investors should automatically act on those emotions.”

“One of the best ways to combat fear in the midst of uncertainty is to stick to your financial plan or reach out for help from a professional,” Rowe-Heupler added. “A financial advisor can be an excellent resource to help keep consumers from making decisions that they may later regret.”

Key Findings:

• Nearly 1 in 5 investors would tolerate no more than a 5% market decline before giving up on stocks for retirement, despite slightly larger declines becoming commonplace in today's economy.
  • An additional 33% said they could handle up to a 10% market decline before abandoning stocks.
• Only 22% of investors said they would leave their retirement funds in the stock market, no matter how large a decline.
• Baby boomers are more willing to stomach a stock market decline than younger investors. Almost 4 in 10 investors in the 55–74 age group would stick with the market despite any decline, nearly three times the amount of millennials (16%) and Gen Xers (18%) who said the same.
• Republicans have a higher tolerance for stock market declines than Democrats. A quarter of politically conservative investors said a decline would never cause them to give up on stocks for retirement, compared to just 19% of Democrats.
• Parents of children under 18 aren't as willing to stay in a declining stock market: Just 13% would keep their retirement savings in the stock market no matter the decline, versus about 30% of investors with adult children or who do not have children at all.

To view the full report, visit https://www.magnifymoney.com/blog/news/stock-market-decline-survey/.

Methodology
MagnifyMoney commissioned Qualtrics to conduct an online survey of 740 Americans who have a retirement savings account. The survey was fielded October 1-3, 2019.

About MagnifyMoney
MagnifyMoney.com, a subsidiary of LendingTree, makes it easy for consumers to shop for the best financial products and get answers to their most important financial questions. MagnifyMoney's unbiased advice and comprehensive product database helps millions of people compare credit cards, loans, checking accounts and savings accounts. MagnifyMoney's newsroom of personal finance experts is dedicated to helping people save money and lead financially healthier lives through strategies and tips for avoiding fees, getting out of debt, paying off student loans, avoiding consumer scams and other financial topics. MagnifyMoney was launched in 2014, was acquired by LendingTree in 2017, and is based in New York, NY. For more information, please visit www.magnifymoney.com.

Contact:
Megan Greuling
704-943-8208
[email protected]

SOURCE MagnifyMoney.com