\nMorgan Stanley Wealth Management today announced the results of its quarterly retail investor pulse survey:<\/p>\n
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https:\/\/www.businesswire.com\/news\/home\/20260421925706\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n \n\u201cWith geopolitical concerns, policy uncertainty and higher costs, market whiplash is very real, making day-to-day moves feel noisy,\u201d said Chris Larkin, Managing Director and Head of Trading and Investing, E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley. \u201cBut rather than pull back, many investors remain engaged\u2014adjusting to volatility and looking for opportunities in a more complex market backdrop. A healthy dose of volatility is a normal part of market dynamics, and commitment to an investing plan is key.\u201d<\/p>\n \nThe survey explored investor views on sector opportunities for the second quarter of 2026:<\/p>\n About the Survey About Morgan Stanley Wealth Management About Morgan Stanley \nThis has been prepared for informational purposes only and is not a solicitation of any offer to buy or sell any security or other financial instrument, or to participate in any trading strategy. This material does not provide individually tailored investment advice. It has been prepared without regard to the individual financial circumstances and objectives of persons who receive it. Morgan Stanley recommends that investors independently evaluate particular investments and strategies and encourages investors to seek the advice of a Financial Advisor.<\/p>\n \nMorgan Stanley Portfolio Solutions are portfolios available in our Select UMA platform under either Firm Discretionary UMA or Managed Advisory Portfolio Solutions. Please see the Select UMA ADV at www.morganstanley.com\/ADV<\/a><\/p>\n \nPast performance is not a guarantee or indicative of future performance. Historical data shown represents past performance and does not guarantee comparable future results.<\/p>\n \nThis material contains forward-looking statements and there can be no guarantee that they will come to pass.<\/p>\n \nDiversification and asset allocation do not guarantee a profit or protect against loss in a declining financial market.<\/p>\n \nThis material should not be viewed as investment advice or recommendations with respect to asset allocation or any particular investment.<\/p>\n \nMorgan Stanley Wealth Management is the trade name of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, a registered broker-dealer in the United States.<\/p>\n \nMorgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC and Dynata are not affiliates. Referenced Data<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n When it comes to the current market are you?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n Q1\u201926<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n Q2\u201926<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nBullish<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \n56%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \n55%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nBearish<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \n44%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \n45%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n Which of the following are you most concerned about when it comes to your finances? (Top 2)<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n Q1\u201926<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n Q2\u201926<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nInflation<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \n47%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \n50%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nMarket volatility<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \n20%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \n22%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nGeopolitical conflict<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \n12%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \n20%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nTariffs<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \n27%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \n18%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nEnergy costs<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \n12%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \n18%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nCurrent administration<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \n21%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \n17%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nA recession<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \n18%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \n13%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nEarnings<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \n8%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \n10%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nFed monetary policy<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \n8%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \n8%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nJobs market<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \n8%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \n6%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nNone<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \n4%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \n2%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n Over the next quarter, do you think volatility will…<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n Q1\u201926<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n Q2\u201926<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n Top 2 Box<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n 57%<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n 63%<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nGreatly increase<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \n12%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \n15%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nSomewhat increase<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \n45%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \n48%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nStay the same<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \n35%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \n25%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nSomewhat decrease<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \n8%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \n11%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nGreatly decrease<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \n0%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \n1%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n How concerned are you about the midterm elections on the stock market?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n Q2\u201926<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n Top 2 Box<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n 48%<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nExtremely concerned<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \n21%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nVery concerned<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \n27%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nModerately concerned<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \n29%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nSlightly concerned<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \n15%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nNot concerned at all<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \n8%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n The time I devote to my portfolio has ________ within the last three months.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n Q1\u201926<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n Q2\u201926<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n Top 2 Box<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n 41%<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n 50%<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nGreatly increased<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \n10%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \n17%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nSomewhat increased<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \n31%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \n33%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nStayed the same<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \n55%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \n46%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nSomewhat decreased<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \n3%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \n3%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nGreatly decreased<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \n1%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \n1%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n What industries do you think offer the most potential this quarter?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n Q1\u201926<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n Q2\u201926<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nInformation technology<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \n60%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \n56%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nEnergy<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \n49%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \n49%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nHealth care<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \n33%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \n35%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nFinancials<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \n28%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \n28%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nReal estate<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \n26%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \n28%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nUtilities<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \n28%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \n26%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nIndustrials<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \n20%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \n21%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nCommunication services<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \n19%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \n18%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nConsumer staples<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \n17%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \n16%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nMaterials<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \n14%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \n15%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nConsumer discretionary<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \n9%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \n9%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n \n\u00a0<\/p>\n View source version on businesswire.com: <\/span>https:\/\/www.businesswire.com\/news\/home\/20260421925706\/en\/<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n \nMedia Relations: Lynn Cocchiola lynn.cocchiola@morganstanley.com<\/a><\/p>\n KEYWORDS:<\/b> New York United States North America<\/p>\n INDUSTRY KEYWORDS:<\/b> Utilities Personal Finance Oil\/Gas Finance Energy Asset Management Banking Professional Services<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/mms.businesswire.com\/media\/20260421925706\/en\/2780911\/4\/MSWM_pulse_survey.jpg\")
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<\/b>This wave of the survey was conducted from April 1 to April 20 of 2026 among an online US sample of 940 self-directed investors, investors who fully delegate investment account management to financial professionals, and investors who utilize both. The survey has a margin of error of \u00b13.20 percent at the 95 percent confidence level. It was fielded and administered by Dynata. The panel is broken into three investable assets: less than $500k, between $500k to $1 million, and over $1 million. The panel is 60% male and 40% female and self-select as having moderate+ investing experience, with an even distribution across geographic regions, and age bands.<\/p>\n
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<\/b>Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, a global leader, provides access to a wide range of products and services to individuals, businesses and institutions, including brokerage and investment advisory services, financial and wealth planning, cash management and lending products and services, annuities and insurance, retirement and trust services.<\/p>\n
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<\/b>Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS) is a leading global financial services firm providing a wide range of investment banking, securities, wealth management and investment management services. With offices in 42 countries, the Firm\u2019s employees serve clients worldwide including corporations, governments, institutions and individuals. For further information about Morgan Stanley, please visit www.morganstanley.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n
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\u00a9 2026 Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC. Member SIPC.<\/p>\n\n
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