CHICAGO, IL--(Marketwire - Mar 21, 2012) - The number of U.S. households with a net worth of $1 million or more, not including primary residence (NIPR), continues to rebound along with the stock markets, rising by 200,000 to 8.6 million in 2011, according to the Affluent Market Insights 2012 report by Spectrem Group. It marks the third consecutive year of growth following the 27% decline in millionaire households to 6.7 million in 2008, but the total millionaire population remains below the pre-recession high in 2007 of 9.2 million.
Despite their increasing portfolios, wealthy investors remain worried about the future. More than 4 out of 5, or 83% of 1,252 affluent investors with net worth of $100,000 or more NIPR indicate attaining the American dream will be harder for future generations. While wealthy investors under 40 identify owning a home as achieving the American Dream, older investors say it means having sufficient retirement assets. All investors, however, agree the American Dream can be defined as "an equal opportunity for all people."
"Even if they are not directly impacted, continuing high unemployment and the depressed housing market are bedeviling wealthy investors," says George H. Walper, Jr., president of Spectrem Group. "Investor optimism has climbed from negative in April 2011 to neutral in February 2012, according to our monthly Spectrem Affluent Investor Confidence Index, but investor outlook won't significantly improve until unemployment falls significantly lower."
Additional wealthy investor insights are available on the Spectrem's MillionaireCorner.com, including:
Research methodology
Spectrem Group's Affluent Market Insights 2012 report is based on surveys with 12,519 affluent investors conducted throughout 2011. The margin of error is 2.9 percent. The report can be purchased from Spectrem.
About Spectrem Group
Spectrem Group is a strategic consulting firm specializing in the affluent and retirement markets, integrating proprietary research with expertise in building business, marketing and M&A strategies. Its professionals have held senior management positions at leading global companies.
About Spectrem's MillionaireCorner.com
MillionaireCorner.com is a powerful source for up-to-the-minute news and information for investors, about investors designed to fuel financial growth. It incorporates Spectrem Group research as well as outside information. In the future, the site will offer financial advisor referrals.