The Markets August 16, 2012

Risk Loses Appeal for Investors

One in three investors said they are less willing to take on risk, and many regret pre-recession financial decisions, a TD Ameritrade Investor poll found.
Reported by

The current economic climate has curbed many investors’ appetites for risk, according to a survey released by TD Ameritrade Holding Corporation.

When asked what, if any, changes they made to the way they’ve invested in the markets over the past six months, about a third of investors surveyed (34%) said they had taken on less risk, compared with 22% who answered the same just three months ago.

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Optimism about investing conditions in the stock market is dropping. For a three-month outlook, 47% of those surveyed called their outlook optimistic, compared with 66% who said the same in April.

Investors expressed regret over the way they managed their money in the past. If they could push back the clock to before the recession of 2008-09, many investors said they would have managed their money differently. Some would have spent less and saved more (71%); others said they would have lived within their means (65%); other investors said they would have taken more personal responsibility for managing their money (60%).

In a possible attempt to ease regrets, investors continued to feed their retirement accounts. Most said they contributed the same amount as usual or more to their IRA over the past six months (86%).

Retail investors are uneasy about the slow economic recovery, and the ramifications of the European debt crisis on global and domestic economies, according to Tom Bradley, president of retail distribution, TD Ameritrade. “Despite the bearish sentiment, our clients continue to monitor accounts at levels similar to last year, but they’re waiting for a little more clarity on key issues before they completely engage, “Bradley said.

The survey was conducted online by Research Now on behalf of TD Ameritrade from June 27 to July 9. The participants were 1,035 investors who offered their views on economic conditions and outlook for the market in general. Investors have at least $10,000 in investable assets, own securities in brokerage accounts, are 18 years or older, are involved in managing their portfolios, and have traded securities at least once in the past 12 months.

The complete survey can be downloaded here.

 

Deals & People August 16, 2012

Lockton’s Southeast Region Hires Retirement VP

Tom Simonson has been named a vice president of Lockton Financial Advisors/Lockton Investment Advisors in the insurance broker’s Charlotte, North Carolina, office.
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Simonson, a consulting and growth expert, will be responsible for client advocacy and new business development for retirement services, a part of the employee benefits consulting practice.

Simonson brings more than 15 years of experience in retirement services. Immediately before joining Lockton, he served as a principal at Mercer for nine years in the defined contribution (DC) Advisors practice. He led new business development and client management for 401(k)/403(b) plan sponsors while providing oversight to Mercer’s South and Midwest markets and serving on their national leadership team. Previously, Simonson was vice president of sales, retirement services, for Principal Financial Group. 

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Simonson’s focus will be establishing and enhancing marketing partnerships, centers of influence, networking groups, vendor partners, tactical initiatives and client contacts. 

Simonson holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration in finance from Iowa State University and a master’s of business administration from Wake Forest University. 

 

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