US Investors Expect Twice the Return Advisors Project (2024)

American investors believe their portfolios are set to generate returns more than twice what financial advisors believe is realistic, a new survey shows.

Key Takeaways

  • Investors expect annual returns of 15.6%, more than twice the 7% that financial professionals advise.
  • The gap between the expectations of advisors and investors for Americans is more than twice the global average.
  • Investors ignored the declines of 2022, with 59% saying they are comfortable taking on more risk and 44% saying they were taking too much risk.

The 2023 Natixis Investment Managers Survey of Individual Investors showed that American investors aren’t setting realistic expectations, believing their investments can return 15.6% over the long term, well above the 7% returns that financial advisors expect.

Americans' expectations for their investment returns don’t just exceed the advice of financial professionals, they are also above the global average. The international survey found that globally, investors set their expectations 42% above what financial advisors anticipate, while Americans’ expectations lie 123% beyond what their advisors say is realistic.

Meanwhile, they also haven’t adjusted their risk levels to meet changing conditions that higher interest rates are likely to trigger.

Returns Shrinking, But Risk Remains High

Between 2012 and 2021, the S&P 500 delivered an average annual return of 16.5%, before the 2022 market ended in a loss. In fact, 86% of respondents said 2022 was a “wake-up call.” But investors haven’t adjusted their risk tolerance, as 59% said they were comfortable taking on more risk, with 44% admitting that they are taking on more risk than they should.

US Investors Expect Twice the Return Advisors Project (1)

“The economic landscape has gone from low inflation, low rates, and low dispersion to higher inflation, rising rates, and higher dispersions,” said Dave Goodsell, head of the Natixis Center for Investor Insights in the study. “The market promises slower growth and greater risk, but investors have not meaningfully adjusted their return assumptions or reassessed where real risks lie.”

Investors Misunderstand Rates, Risks

One stark concern raised by the survey was what appeared to be investor ignorance of the current economic climate. Of the respondents, 56% said they understood the impact rising rates will have on bonds, but when asked, only 3% could correctly answer that present bond values typically go down while future income potential goes up. The most common answer, by 37%, was “I don’t know.”

Investors have a different view of risk than financial advisors, failing to take goals in mind, the study showed. While only 9% defined risk as failing to meet their financial goals, three times that number of financial advisers gave that response. Exposure to market volatility was how 29% of investors said risk should be defined, followed by 23% defining risk as a loss of assets and 18% said risk means underperforming market benchmarks.

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US Investors Expect Twice the Return Advisors Project (2024)

FAQs

US Investors Expect Twice the Return Advisors Project? ›

Key Takeaways. Investors expect annual returns of 15.6%, more than twice the 7% that financial professionals advise. The gap between the expectations of advisors and investors for Americans is more than twice the global average.

What rate of return should investors expect? ›

Most investors would view an average annual rate of return of 10% or more as a good ROI for long-term investments in the stock market. However, keep in mind that this is an average.

How much of a return should I expect from a financial advisor? ›

Industry studies estimate that professional financial advice can add up to 5.1% to portfolio returns over the long term, depending on the time period and how returns are calculated. Good advisors will work with you to create a personalized investment plan and identify opportunities to help grow and protect your assets.

Do financial advisors outperform the S&P 500? ›

Less than 10% of active large-cap fund managers have outperformed the S&P 500 over the last 15 years. The biggest drag on investment returns is unavoidable, but you can minimize it if you're smart. Here's what to look for when choosing a simple investment that can beat the Wall Street pros.

What is the rule of 42? ›

One of the key rules within my unique Income Method is the Rule of 42 - holding at least 42 income-generating investments that enable you to have reduced risk from any individual holding.

Is a 7% return realistic? ›

While quite a few personal finance pundits have suggested that a stock investor can expect a 12% annual return, when you incorporate the impact of volatility and inflation, 7% is a more accurate historical estimate for an aggressive investor (someone primarily invested in stocks), and 5% would be more appropriate for ...

How much do I need to invest to make $1000 a month? ›

To make $1,000 per month on T-bills, you would need to invest $240,000 at a 5% rate. This is a solid return — and probably one of the safest investments available today. But do you have $240,000 sitting around? That's the hard part.

Does Warren Buffett outperform the S&P? ›

A big cash pile protects the above-average core operations of this stellar company. Warren Buffett has an incredible track record of outperforming the S&P 500. At the start of every Berkshire Hathaway (BRK. A 0.48%) (BRK.

Are financial advisors worth 1%? ›

While 1.5% is on the higher end for financial advisor services, if that's what it takes to get the returns you want, then it's not overpaying, so to speak. Staying around 1% for your fee may be standard, but it certainly isn't the high end. You need to decide what you're willing to pay for what you're receiving.

Should you put all your money with one financial advisor? ›

Whether you should consider working with more than one advisor can depend on your overall goals and financial situation. If you're fairly new to investing and you haven't built up a sizable net worth yet, for instance then one advisor may be sufficient to meet your needs.

What is Rule 84? ›

Rule 84 was enacted in 1937 and simply stated, “The forms contained in the Appendix of Forms are intended to indicate, subject to the provisions of these rules, the simplicity and brevity of statement which the rules contemplate.” Rule 84 was amended in 1946 and 2007 to its current language, “The forms in the Appendix ...

What is the rule of 39? ›

Trial by Jury or by the Court. (a) By Jury . When trial by jury has been demanded as provided in Rule 38, the action shall be designated upon the docket as a jury action.

What is Rule 46? ›

Overall, Rule 46 is designed to ensure fairness and efficiency in the trial process, allowing parties to clearly state their objections and have them addressed by the court, all while keeping the procedural requirements straightforward and focused on the preservation of the record for appeal.

How much should an investor get in return? ›

For equity investments, a fair percentage for an investor is typically between 10% and 25%. If you are offering equity in exchange for investment, you will need to determine what percentage of the company you are willing to give up.

Is an 8% return realistic? ›

As a result, the 8% rate of return is a surface-level indicator of the investment's performance. In an environment with high inflation and taxes, your real return could be next to nothing. That said, investments can still be an excellent source of retirement income.

What is considered a good rate of return on investments? ›

General ROI: A positive ROI is generally considered good, with a normal ROI of 5-7% often seen as a reasonable expectation. However, a strong general ROI is something greater than 10%. Return on Stocks: On average, a ROI of 7% after inflation is often considered good, based on the historical returns of the market.

What is rate of return required by investors? ›

The required rate of return (RRR) is the minimum amount an investor or company seeks, or will receive, when they embark on an investment or project. The RRR can be used to determine an investment's return on investment (ROI). The RRR for every investor differs due to the differing tolerance for risk.

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