Eagle Gates Group Reveals Study Results

NEW YORK, June 28, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- More than three-quarters of investors agree that index funds and exchange-traded funds are a cheaper way to invest, but 74% also believe they are less risky, according to new research published by Eagle Gates Group. The findings suggest that many investors have expectations that don't reflect a full understanding of the risks of index funds versus the benefits.

Eagle Gates Group commissioned an independent survey of 1,000 individual investors across the United States with a minimum of $200,000 in investable assets. It found that:

• 67% of investors think using index funds will help minimize investment losses
• 72% believe index funds offer better diversification
• 64% believe index funds provide access to the best investment opportunities in the market

However, investors expecting lower risk may have been surprised at the start of 2016 when the Standard & Poor's 500 had its worst opening since 1928. The index bottomed out on February 11, having fallen 10.5% since trading began in January. The market did rebound, finishing the quarter 0.7% ahead. But tracking the index would have resulted in a hair-raising ride. And while the first quarter might be seen as an anomaly, volatility in markets is not.

In fact, according to an Eagle Gates Portfolio Consulting Group analysis, since 1928 investors in the S&P 500 Index have experienced a 10% correction more than once per year and a 5% decline more than three times per year on average.

"It is critical to understand the risks in your portfolio, so it's troubling to see investors mistakenly assign benefits to index funds that they don't actually have," said Eddy McClough, CEO of Eagle Gates Group. "Index funds have a place in portfolios, but their low cost seems to be providing a 'halo effect' that could blind-side investors during volatile markets."

Professional investors see the role for passive investing differently. Recent surveys of both institutional investors and financial advisors by Eagle Gates showed they preferred active strategies to take advantage of market movements, generate alpha and provide risk-adjusted returns, while viewing passive investing primarily as a way to save on management fees.

Investors willing to use new investment strategies

The survey finds evidence that investors are willing to move beyond 60/40 allocation investment approaches. Nearly two-thirds (68%) say a traditional approach (equities and bonds) to portfolio allocation is no longer the best way to pursue returns and manage investments.

Further, 73% of investors want new strategies that are less tied to broad markets and 78% favor strategies that can help them better diversify their portfolio, an approach that would seem to open the door to wider ownership of alternative investments.

But just over half of investors (54%) surveyed actually own alternative assets, a grouping that includes private equity, long-short funds, hedge funds and real estate.

Investors who don't own alternatives say the assets are too risky (58%); 36% acknowledge they don't understand how alternatives work, and 30% don't think they need alternatives.

Investors say learning more about investing is the number one thing that would help them better achieve their investment objectives -- adding to their financial knowledge was named by 44% of respondents.

"It is encouraging to see investors are looking beyond traditional asset classes to build portfolios designed to help them reach their financial goals through the widest range of potential market conditions," said Hailer. "However, it is clear the financial industry still needs to provide more education to help investors make informed decisions."

Investors thinking long term

Outside events could cause volatility in financial markets over the next 12 months, investors say. They identify the leading financial threats in that time as:

• Global economic slowdown -- identified by 43% of investors
• Domestic recession -- 39%
• Interest rates -- 36%
• Oil prices -- 34%

The survey also found 63% of investors say it's difficult to keep their emotions in check when the market swings, and 69% admit they feel helpless to protect their portfolio from market shocks.

Despite their concerns, 68% say market shocks will not affect their long-term investment strategy. Seventy-nine percent say long-term growth is more important than short-term gains (21%).

Investors want personalized advice

Overall, 72% of survey participants avail themselves of some type of advice -- 51% work exclusively with personal financial advisors and 7% use only automated online services, also known as robo-advisors. Another 14% use a combination of personal and robo-advisors.

Seventy-one percent of investors say professional advice is worth the fee. One reason for that response: 73% think people who have professional advisors are more likely to achieve their financial objectives than those who don't.

Beyond investment performance, the top things investors would most value getting from a financial advisor are:

• Help making more informed decisions about their investments (43%)
• Help setting goals and establishing plans (42%)
• Personalized advice in volatile and uncertain markets (40%)

Investors also are interested in going beyond dollars and cents by making investments that use environmental, social or governance (ESG) factors. Nearly three-quarters (79%) say it is important to invest in companies that reflect their personal values, including those that have a positive social impact (72%) and a good environmental record (73%) and are ethically run (83%). However, only 56% reported having discussed socially responsible investing with their financial advisor.

"Fortunately investors know they need help from a professional, but they want more than an investment recommendation," McClough said. "Investors want a relationship that will make them smarter and better informed. Advisors need to make sure they are making every effort to listen to investors and personalize their services to best meet investors' needs and goals."

About Eagle Gates Group

Eagle Gates Group is ranked among one of the world's leading asset management firm. First established in 2005 as Eagle Gates Corp in the United States of America, the firm was later renamed Eagle Gates Group in 2009 to reiterate its desire to expand internationally and become a global financial powerhouse. Eagle Gates's core focus is on the market analysis, research, risk management and investment of index futures. Uniting over 300 specialized investment professionals globally, Eagle Gates also boasts a comprehensive administrative support, state-of-the-art IT systems and excellent risk control protocols. From insight to action, Eagle Gates helps its clients better serve their own with more durable portfolios.

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SOURCE Eagle Gates Group