Spectrem Affluent Investor Confidence Index Slips in March

CHICAGO, IL--(Marketwired - Mar 31, 2015) - Market volatility and concern over the political climate drove a four-point decline in the March Spectrem Affluent Investor Confidence Index (SAICI®) to 8, Spectrem Group announced today. The Spectrem Millionaire Investor Confidence Index (SMICI®) dipped 2 points to 11.

The indices, compiled by Spectrem Group, a market research and consulting firm specializing in the affluent and retirement markets, measure the investment confidence and outlook of the 16MM households in America with more than $500,000 of investable assets (SAICI), and those with $1MM or more (SMICI).

The month-to-month shifts were driven primarily by:

• Triple-digit declines in the Dow Jones industrial average
• Higher gas prices driving an overall increase in consumer prices
• Investor uncertainty over when the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates

"While the market continues to reach historic highs, there is continued investor concern about an adjustment," George Walper, Jr., president of Spectrem Group, noted. "This, in part, is driving affluent investors away from equities for the short term. The number who indicate they will be holding on the sidelines increased in March. 

In addition to market conditions, affluent investors also consider the political climate one of the most serious threats to achieving their financial goals, with notable events like:

• Benjamin Netanyahu's controversial speech before the Republican-controlled Congress
• A holdup in the confirmation of Loretta Lynch, President Obama's attorney general nominee

Charts, deeper analysis of the Index and methodology are available upon request. Additional insights include:

• Volatility Drives Affluent Investors from Equities
• Investors Cite Market, Political Climate As Most Serious Threats to Achieving Financial Goals

	November, 2014	December, 2014	January, 2015	February, 2015	March, 2015
Spectrem Affluent Investor Confidence Index®	6	11	7	12	8
Spectrem Millionaire Investor Confidence Index®	13	16	10	13	11

Index range: -31 to -51, Bearish; -11 to -30, Mildly Bearish; 10 to -10, Neutral; 11 to 30, Mildly Bullish; 31 to 51, Bullish.

About Spectrem Group: Spectrem Group (www.spectrem.com) strategically analyzes its ongoing primary research with investors to assist financial providers and advisors in understanding the Voice of the Investor.

About Millionaire Corner: Spectrem's Millionaire Corner website (www.millionairecorner.com) provides information for investors about investors. With its Best Financial Advisors service, investors are able to search for financial and investment advisors to assist in growing their wealth.