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New TD Ameritrade Survey Finds Investors More Optimistic about the Future

^{Published on 2010-12-17 13:10:43 - Market Wire}
 

OMAHA, Neb.--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--A new client survey conducted by TD Ameritrade Holding Corporation (NASDAQ: AMTD) has found many investors anticipating a brighter future, with nearly 50 percent surveyed feeling asomewhata or avery optimistica about the outlook for the U.S. economy, up 13 percentage points from those who reported the same in July 2010.

"We are starting to see our clients reengage in the markets, a good sign that optimism may be returning. However, lagging economic indicators such as high unemployment may continue to make for a slower recovery in 2011"

Furthermore, the survey found that 36 percent of TD Ameritrade's surveyed clients felt that news about the stock market indicates that now is a good time to invest, up 8 percentage points from July 2010.

aWe are starting to see our clients reengage in the markets, a good sign that optimism may be returning. However, lagging economic indicators such as high unemployment may continue to make for a slower recovery in 2011,a said Joe Kinahan, chief derivatives strategist for TD Ameritrade.

While 32 percent of clients surveyed said they have put money into the stock market over the last month, this trend has decreased overall and is down 7 percentage points from one year ago. Twenty-three percent of clients surveyed have removed some or all of their money over the last month from the stock market, with 40 percent of those individuals moving their assets to money market accounts, a trend that has continued throughout 2010.

Other key findings from the survey include:

• TD Ameritrade clients had varied opinions on which sectors might fair best over the next month; however, 20 percent surveyed felt the Consumer Goods sector would be a top performer a" up from only 5 percent earlier this year.
• Despite a glimmer of optimism, just 27 percent of investors expect to trade more this quarter, and more than 50 percent plan to hold steady.
• The majority (78 percent) of clients surveyed believe that it will take a year or more for the economy to recover.
• Nearly 40 percent of clients feel that a change in the existing tax code would have the most positive impact on restoring confidence in the U.S. economy.

Optimism may be on the rise, but is it strong enough to spur holiday spending? Contrary to the National Retail Federationa™s recent positive numbers on [ Black Friday ] and [ Cyber Monday ] spending for the month of November, only 12 percent of TD Ameritradea™s clients surveyed plan to spend more this holiday season. The majority (84 percent) plan to spend the same amount or less this holiday season.

For more information on Novembera™s retail investor sentiment survey, please visit the [ TD Ameritrade Newsroom ].

AMTD-G

Survey Methodology
This survey was conducted online within the United States by InsightExpress on behalf of TD Ameritrade Holding Corporation between November 18-24, 2010, among 1,051 current TD Ameritrade clients (ages 18 and over). Respondents were selected from among those who have agreed to participate in InsightExpress surveys. The views expressed by respondents in these surveys are not the views of TD Ameritrade, or its subsidiaries, and should not be considered investment guidance of any kind. InsightExpress and TD Ameritrade are separate, unaffiliated companies and are not responsible for each other's products and services.

About InsightExpress
InsightExpress is a leading provider of high-quality, digital marketing research and plays a preeminent role in the measurement of advertising effectiveness across online, mobile and other media. Through its patented technologies, proprietary solutions, world-class expertise and time-tested research principles, InsightExpress transforms the way advertisers, agencies, publishers and researchers optimize their marketing activities. InsightExpress is headquartered in Stamford, CT, with offices in San Francisco, New York, and Los Angeles.

About TD Ameritrade Holding Corporation
TD Ameritrade Holding Corporation (NASDAQ: AMTD), through its brokerage subsidiaries,⁽¹⁾ combines innovative trading technology, easy-to-use and understand [ trading tools ], investment services, investor education and superior client service to create a market-leading financial services experience. Now home to the award-winning thinkorswim trading technology⁽²⁾ and the Investools investor education program, TD Ameritrade provides millions of retail investors, traders and independent registered investment advisors with the tools, service and support they need to help build confidence in todaya™s rapidly changing market environment. For more information and resources for journalists, please visit the TD Ameritrade newsroom at [ www.amtd.com ].

⁽¹⁾ TDAmeritrade, Inc., member FINRA ([ www.FINRA.org ]) /SIPC ([ www.SIPC.org ]) /NFA ([ www.nfa.futures.org ]), and TDAmeritrade Clearing, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC.

⁽²⁾ thinkorswim, prior to joining TD Ameritrade, earned 4.9 stars, the top score, in the category aTrading Technologya, and was rated #1 overall online broker in Barrona™s ranking of online brokers, 3/15/2010. thinkorswim was evaluated versus others in eight total categories, including trade experience, trading technology, usability, range of offerings, research amenities, portfolio analysis and reporting, customer service and education and costs. thinkorswim topped the list in 2006, 2007, 2009 and 2010 with the highest weighted-average score. Barrona™s is a registered trademark of Dow Jones & Company © 2006a"2010.