New Research: Majority of Investors Optimistic About Economy, Their Own Personal Financial Recovery

Proactively managing their finances helps investors feel more confident
navigating economic challenges
ST. LOUIS--(Business Wire)--
American investors` optimism is on the rise, according to a new survey
commissioned by online investing firm Scottrade. The majority of investors (55
percent) think the economy will improve within the next 12 months, and more than
three quarters of investors are confident that the stock market is resilient and
will provide long-term investment gains (79 percent).

Just over half (51 percent) of investors believe they`ll recoup their investment
losses within the next three years, according to the study.

"Investors are still stressed over personal finances, but stress levels have
stabilized and attitudes are on the upswing," said Chris X. Moloney, Scottrade`s
chief marketing officer and executive director of customer intelligence. "This
new data shows the most optimism we`ve seen since the economic crisis began.
Especially encouraging is that 80 percent of Seniors (born before 1945,
currently age 65+), the group who has the most experience with economic ups and
downs, continue to have confidence in the market."

Investors Get Proactive

"New home sales are up and consumer confidence is bouncing back," Moloney said.
"Investors are taking notice, and these broad economic improvements are likely
adding to their optimism when it comes to investing."

Additionally, investors` increasing ownership of their own finances may also
contribute to their attitude improvement. "The economic crisis has had a big
impact on changing the traditional `set it and forget it` investment mentality,"
Moloney said. "Investors are becoming more empowered in terms of their personal
finances, and that`s likely boosting their confidence overall."

Seventy percent of investors indicated they are taking new action to better
manage or monitor their finances this year. According to the study, the top five
new actions investors are taking this year as a direct result of the economy
are:

1. Checking accounts more frequently- Twenty-nine percent of investors are
checking their accounts more often. Forty-three percent of investors check their
accounts once per week or more. Generation Y (born 1983 - 1991, ages 18-26),
which is the most self-directed generation (the least likely to seek advice
through an "expert" like a financial advisor), is the most active in monitoring
their accounts. More than half (52 percent) check accounts once a week or more.

2. Becoming more familiar with their personal financial situations - Twenty-five
percent of investors are spending more time to better understand where they
stand financially.

3. Ensuring their accounts are diversified - Nineteen percent of investors are
ensuring their accounts have the right investment mix.

4. Doing more research prior to making investments - Eighteen percent of
investors are taking the initiative to become more knowledgeable before they
decide on investments. For most investors, financial news Web sites (e.g. Yahoo!
Finance, MSNMoney.com, WSJ.com) top the list of where they find financial
information. The sites draw 48 percent of Gen Yers, 41 percent of Gen Xers (born
1967 - 1982, ages 27-42), 43 percent of Boomers (born 1946 to 1965, ages 43-64)
and 30 percent of Seniors (65+).

5. Learning more about how the economy works - Sixteen percent of investors are
taking steps to educate themselves on the economy.

"Investors can`t control the economy, but they can control their own financial
accounts," Moloney said. "Regardless of how the economy is faring, investors
feel an important step toward achieving personal financial health is taking an
active role in understanding the markets, investing strategies and their own
finances. It`s not surprising that as investors become more engaged they also
improve their outlook."

To meet this demand for more information, Scottrade recently launched a new
online Knowledge Center that is available to the public. A condensed version of
the Knowledge Center that Scottrade customers have access to, the site features
almost 2,000 up-to-date educational articles and interactive tools and houses
some of the most complete financial planning content available to the public.

"As more investors seek information to help them take control of their
investments, education becomes paramount," said Moloney. "We`ve built resources
for all types of investors and traders, from beginners to experts. There are a
variety of options, from large, day-long User Summits, to smaller branch
seminars, to Webcasts and tutorials online; anyone can learn more about
investing and the economy."

About the 2009 Scottrade American Investor Survey

The study was commissioned by Scottrade and conducted online with members of
Survey Sampling Inc.`s SurveySpot consumer panel. Fielded with a nationally
representative sample of 1,143 respondents between July 15 and July 29, 2009,
the study examined attitudes, behaviors and trends related to investing. All
participants were at least 18 years of age that were involved in making
investment decisions in their households. Margin of error for the overall poll
is +/- 3.1 percent at 95 percent confidence.

About Scottrade

As a leading online investment firm, Scottrade offers a full line of investment
products, online trading services and market research tools to help investors
take control of their financial future. Scottrade provides customers the
convenience of buying many stocks online at just $7 per trade and the support of
the largest branch network among online investment firms, with more than 425
nationwide branch offices. Named Highest in Investor Satisfaction by J.D. Power
and Associates, Scottrade is dedicated to exceptional customer service and
unprecedented value. Scottrade is also one of FORTUNE magazine`s "100 Best
Companies to Work For" in America. For more information, visit
www.scottrade.com.

Scottrade
Carrie Trent, 314-965-1555 x1475
ctrent@scottrade.com

Copyright Business Wire 2009