Latest news with #RichardFlynn
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Three quarters of Gen Z investors now rely on social media and finfluencers for tips
Nearly three quarters of Generation Z investors head to social media and 'finfluencers' as their main sources of information when making investment decisions, data shows. Gen Z's reliance on these sources is considerably higher than among other generations, with 60 per cent of millennials similarly using social media, according to research from Charles Schwab. Only 36 per cent of Gen X use social media as their main source of information, falling to just 11 per cent among baby boomers and the silent generation. Some seven in 10 Generation Z - adults between 18-28 - consider themselves active investors. The figures indicate young investors are more likely to turn to finfluencers than the generation as a whole, with recent data from Santander indicating 31 per cent of Gen Z look to social media personalities as their main source of financial information. Richard Flynn, managing director at Charles Schwab UK, said: 'Digital platforms and the sheer volume of financial information available today has made it much easier for young investors to trade. 'This is allowing the creation of online investment communities and forums, with finfluencers and social media playing a much more important role in the investment process than in previous years.' Finfluencers have their critics, as unlike traditional sources of financial information, such as financial advisers, they aren't regulated, and there are concerns that some may be sharing misinformation online, knowingly or not. While considerably more popular among younger investors, the overall use of social media and finfluencers as sources of financial information increased to 43 per cent of investors as of 2025, from 39 per cent a year ago. Networking platform Linkedin proves the most popular social media for investing tips, with 46 per cent of younger investors turning to the social media, compared with 44 per cent using Instagram, 43 per cent using TikTok and 40 per cent choosing Reddit. Alongside social media personalities, younger investors are also increasingly relying on conversations with other retail investors on online forums and communities when looking to make investment decisions. More than half of Gen Z investors also read online blogs when deciding where to invest. As with use of finfluencers and social media, this is a trend that is only increasing. The use of online communities has rise to 45 per cent for among investors as a whole, compared to 39 per cent a year ago. Despite this growing trend, many younger investors are still aware of the benefits of professional advice. Some 67 per cent of Gen Z said the most important source of information for making investment decisions was financial advisers and fund managers, a higher proportion than the 63 per cent average. Flynn said: 'The increase in the number of sources that provide investment information means it is becoming increasingly important that young investors know what they can and can't trust. 'It is therefore reassuring that our research shows Gen Z still recognise the benefits of proactively seeking professional advice to make the most of their investments. 'If new investors are looking to adapt their strategies with the current market volatility to aim to protect against losses, a diversified portfolio, balanced across asset classes and sectors is a sensible, time-tested approach for many investors.'
Scotsman
19-05-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
UK investors piling into gold as tariff tensions continue
'Our study shows investors are increasingly bullish towards so-called safe-haven assets such as gold and other precious metals' Sign up to our Scotsman Money newsletter, covering all you need to know to help manage your money. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Armchair investors are increasingly bullish about gold amid rising geopolitical tensions, market volatility and inflation fears, a new survey has revealed. Almost six in ten personal investors - 58 per cent - polled by Charles Schwab UK believe that gold will increase in value over the next 12 months, an increase of five percentage points from last year. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The retail investors surveyed for the firm's latest 'investment forces' research now view gold as the most attractive asset class. Gold prices have touched fresh record highs in recent weeks amid global tensions. It comes after gold prices rebounded following a sharp weekly drop. Safe-haven demand returned amid growing concerns about the US economic outlook in the wake of a downgrade of the US government's credit rating by Moody's. Despite last week's fall, the price of gold has touched record highs this year amid stock market volatility and trade tariff concerns. More than seven in ten investors (73 per cent) surveyed by Charles Schwab think that companies that produce precious metals such as gold, silver and platinum are a good option for investment. This proportion rises to almost eight in ten - 79 per cent - among millennials, and compares to 70 per cent of investors overall who believe that artificial intelligence-related (AI) stocks are a good investment option. In comparison, confidence in the ability of stock market indices to return increased value over the next 12 months is significantly lower. Two in five (40 per cent) of retail investors believe the value of the US Dow Jones will increase over the next year, followed by 39 per cent who think the same of the FTSE 100 and 38 per cent who think the same of the Nasdaq tech-focused index. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad With gold prices reaching record highs, the research also found that nearly a quarter of investors (23 per cent) have increased their holdings of precious metal stocks in the past three months, with over three in ten (31 per cent) of young investors bolstering their holdings. Richard Flynn, managing director at Charles Schwab UK, said: 'Amidst a backdrop of heightened geopolitical tensions, market volatility, and fears over levels of inflation, our study shows investors are increasingly bullish towards so-called safe-haven assets such as gold and other precious metals. 'While some investors are opting to invest in gold directly, others prefer to invest in mining stocks to gain exposure to gold within their portfolios. With gold prices reaching record highs, our thematic investment platform provides a simple and affordable way to invest in precious metal stocks.' Susannah Streeter, head of money and markets at investment platform Hargreaves Lansdown, noted: 'A more risk-off environment is emerging again, with gold climbing higher after its losses of recent weeks, as investors look again for shelter for some of their money. The dollar has not regained its safe-haven allure, instead it's fallen back against a basket of currencies, as US economic risks loom.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad
