Schapiro Global is Anticipating Raising Markets

Hong Kong, Hong Kong S.A.R., January 10, 2010 --(PR.com)-- Looking ahead to the market expectations of 2010, nearly 45% of retail investors surveyed by Schapiro Global believe the S&P will trade within or above its current 2010 range, with 47% seeing a gain of more than 6% and 16.1% seeing markets up more than 17% in the coming year.

Retail investors also see more options trading ahead: 51.8% of retail investors plan to increase their allocation of assets to options strategies in 2010, versus only 3.6% who plan to decrease their focus on options. The survey polled 1267 retail investors during a one-week period from November 2 - 12.

"Overall current retail investor sentiment is supporting the idea that the positive market run that began in March will continue its momentum in 2010. The survey also supports the continued growth of options trading through 2010. This is in line with the increased volumes we've seen over the past few years in the use of options by retail investors.”

When asked what portion of their portfolio they plan to allocate to options strategies next year, 13.2% of retail investors said they plan to allocate a significantly higher amount, 67.6% plan to allocate a higher amount, 40.9% plan to invest the same, 5.7% plan to lower their allocation and 2.6% plan to significantly decrease their allocation.

The survey was conducted by Schapiro Global, as part of a monthly series that assesses investor sentiment.

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