Investors upbeat but advisers not so sure

Investors are more optimistic than financial advisers on future share market performance according to a joint Australian Investors Association (AIA) and Adviser Ratings survey.

The quarterly Investment Sentiment Indices report for September 2004, which is based on the written survey responses of 2,000 financial advisers and 1,500 investors shows that 40.6 per cent of investors and 32.9 per cent of advisers are bullish towards the share market over the next six months.

This is the first time since the survey was commenced two years ago that investors where more optimistic than advisers on market performance.

“This survey puts a finger on the pulse of what the man on the street and what advisers are thinking rather that what the brokers are saying.,” says AIA president Bob Andrew.

The survey also reveals that 45.2 per cent of investors have neutral sentiment while only 14.2 per cent are bearish.

Advisers have taken the middle ground overall, with 57.3 per cent having neutral sentiment and 9.8 per cent bearish.

Both advisers and investors are more bearish than at any time since June 2003.

Andrew says the survey’s were sent to advisers from dealer groups on the association’s data base which he says comprise just about all the dealerships in the country.

“Of course not everyone is going to respond but that considered it’s [the report] giving a pretty comprehensive snapshot,” he says.