Press Release

Q3 Saxo survey reveals young investors are more optimistic about equity markets

As we transition into the second half of 2024, Saxo has run another survey of their clients to gain insights into how they predict the markets will move in Q3.

The latest Saxo client pulse survey indicates a general positive sentiment regarding global equity markets and sector performance, with the majority of the respondents (43.6%) anticipating an increase in the global equity markets. However, the biggest shift in sentiment since last quarter’s pulse survey (15.2% to 29.8%) was seen in the increased votes for “no movement” occurring in the markets. 

“The equity market has done very well this year, underscoring the optimism among our clients. The increase in clients answering “no movement” could, in my mind signal two things. One is that there’s usually a summer lull, when the Northern hemisphere goes on vacation, which could signal less movement in markets. Two, it could be some clients that’s previously been very positive, are starting to see clouds of uncertainty in the horizon. That’s at least what we believe, that while things seem to be going fine now, there are uncertainties that could make the slightly longer future more uncertain,” says Peter Garnry, Chief Investment Strategist at Saxo.

Geopolitical tensions are of the most concern

Based on the latest survey, a significant portion of investors identified geopolitical tensions (42.9%) and interest rates (37.1%) as the primary factors likely to influence their investment strategies over the next three months. The looming US election also plays a crucial role, with 32.8% of respondents considering it a significant influence.

“Geopolitics can always be a source of volatility, so our clients should be following the news closely to adjust and diversify their portfolios accordingly. The same goes for a major event like the US election, where we have two candidates who have differing stances that could impact different sectors. We’re monitoring the election closely through our US Election news centre, to make sure our clients are as knowledgeable as possible when the time comes about how the US election can impact investment portfolios,” says Peter Garnry, Chief Investment Strategist at Saxo.

These concerns underscore the heightened uncertainty in the global market, where political and economic events dictate investor sentiment and strategy adjustments.

Younger investors are more optimistic on market performance

When reviewing the answers of almost 2,300 clients on whether they believe global equity markets will increase or decrease, there’s a clear trend that different ages have different perspectives.

Age Range

Decrease

Neutral

Increase

I don't know

18-35

15%

20%

59%

5%

36-45

15%

31%

47%

6%

46-60

19%

30%

44%

7%

61-75

20%

30%

43%

7%

76+

25%

31%

33%

11%

Although more clients in the age ranges of 76+ still believe the markets will increase, they remain the demographic group with most clients opting for the equity market to decrease, while nearly 60% of those below 35 remain optimistic on equities.

Sector Performance Predictions

When it comes to sector performance, respondents have identified key areas they believe will outperform. Below is a breakdown of the different sectors

Most optimistic sector: Information Technology

Dominating the expectations, 32.2% of respondents see this sector as the top performer, driven by ongoing digital transformation and technological advancements. This is a minor dip in optimism since last quarter, when 33.7% of respondents pushed for IT. 

Biggest Jump in optimism: Health Care

16.1% of clients favour health care as a sector that is likely to outperform. This is a jump of 168% of last quarter’s 6%. 

Peter Garnry isn’t surprised by this, having created an investment theme around new biotech a couple of years back. “The health care sector has always been interesting to watch, as it continues to provide a lot of innovation. Recently, Novo Nordisk, and competitors like Eli Lilly, have made a global media impact with their respective weight-loss drugs, bringing the entire sector to the front of investors’ minds.”

Biggest drop: Energy

Last quarter, the energy sector was the second most selected sector believed to perform the best in Q2 with 17.4% of client votes. However, this quarter saw the sector optimism drop by 63%, chosen only by  6.4% of clients. This moves the energy sector down the rankings from second to fifth.

Regional Outlook

In terms of regional performance North America remains as the region clients believe will perform the best in Q3 (47.6% of respondents). However, Europe has grown in optimism, going from the market predicted to perform the worst behind emerging markets, to jumping by 143% to a second place behind North America. 

See the full survey data below

How do you think the global equity markets will perform in the next three months (Q3)?

 Q2 Responses Q3 Responses 
Big decrease2.2%2.4% 
Decrease24.5%17.0% 
No movement15.2%29.8% 
Increase50.5%42.1%
Big increase1.1%1.5% 
I don’t know6.5%7.2% 

Which of below events (if any) do you think will affect your investment strategy in the next three months?

US election32.8%
Trade wars14.3%
Geopolitical tensions42.9%
AI20.5%
Japanese Yen1.6%
Inflation24.2%
Interest rates37.1%
Other (please specify):3.2%
I don´t know7.1%

 Which global sector do you think will perform the best in the next three months (Q3)?

 Q2 Responses  Q3 Responses   
Energy17.4%6.4% 
Materials10.3%7.7% 
Industrials2.2%4.0% 
Consumer discretionary1.1%3.0% 
Consumer staples2.7%2.8% 
Health care6.0%16.1% 
Financials9.2%3.5% 
Information technology33.7%32.2% 
Communication services1.1%2.8% 
Utilities1.1%2.1% 
Real estate3.3%4.0% 
Other:5.4%6.2% 
I don’t know6.5%9.0% 

Which region do you think will perform the best in the coming quarter (Q3)?

 Q2 ResponsesQ3 Responses
North America48.90%47.6%
Europe9.20%22.4%
Asia-Pacific22.30%14.3%
Emerging markets14.10%7.7%
Other (please specify):2.20%0.8%
None of the above/I don’t know3.30%7.4%

Which region do you think will perform the worst in the coming quarter (Q2)?

 Q2 ResponsesQ3 Responses
North America12.00%9.7%
Europe40.80%25.9%
Asia-Pacific17.90%18.7%
Emerging markets18.50%30.8%
Other (please specify):0.50%1.1%
I don’t know10.30%13.8%
 

About the survey:

The purpose of the Client Sentiment Survey was to gain insights into the expectations of Saxo’s clients for the upcoming quarter.

The survey was distributed to Saxo clients  between 06/06/2024-18/06/2024 and consisted of 2,299 respondents. The survey was executed in English, French, Dutch and Danish and sent to clients in the respective language markets. 

See our press release from last quarter’s survey here.

 

At Saxo we believe that when you invest, you unlock a new curiosity for the world around you. As a provider of multi-asset trading and investment solutions, Saxo’s purpose is to Get Curious People Invested in the World. We are committed to enabling our clients to make more of their money. Saxo was founded in Copenhagen, Denmark in 1992 with a clear vision: to make the global financial markets accessible for more people. In 1998, Saxo launched one of the first online trading platforms in Europe, providing professional-grade tools and easy access to global financial markets for anyone who wanted to invest. 

Today, Saxo is an international award-winning investment firm for investors and traders who are serious about making more of their money. As a well-capitalised and profitable Fintech, Saxo is a fully licensed bank under the supervision of the Danish FSA, holding broker and banking licenses in multiple jurisdictions. As one of the earliest fintechs in the world, Saxo continues to invest heavily into our technology. Saxo’s clients and partners enjoy broad access to global capital markets across asset classes on our industry-leading platforms. Our open banking technology also powers more than 150 financial institutions as partners by boosting the investment experience they can offer their clients. Keeping our headquarters in Copenhagen, Saxo has more than 2,300 professionals in financial centres around the world including London, Singapore, Amsterdam, Hong Kong, Zurich, Dubai and Tokyo.

For more information, please visit: www.home.saxo 

Please reach out to press@saxobank.com.

Saxo Bank A/S (Headquarters)
Philip Heymans Alle 15
2900
Hellerup
Denmark

Contact Saxo

Select region

International
International

Trade responsibly
All trading carries risk. Read more. To help you understand the risks involved we have put together a series of Key Information Documents (KIDs) highlighting the risks and rewards related to each product. Read more

This website can be accessed worldwide however the information on the website is related to Saxo Bank A/S and is not specific to any entity of Saxo Bank Group. All clients will directly engage with Saxo Bank A/S and all client agreements will be entered into with Saxo Bank A/S and thus governed by Danish Law.

Apple and the Apple logo are trademarks of Apple Inc, registered in the US and other countries and regions. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc. Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google LLC.