According to an investment industry survey, in mid-2008 — when the financial crisis was still developing — 23% of U.S. households were willing to accept substantial or above-average investment risk in order to achieve substantial or above-average returns. The following year, after the stock market hit bottom, the percentage of risk-taking households fell to 19% and did not begin to rise until 2013, the fourth full year of the recovery and a strong year for market performance. Even so, risk-taking remained below the pre-crisis level through 2014 (most recent data available).1

It’s understandable that investors might feel less inclined to take risks when the market is down — after all, no one likes to watch the value of assets dwindle. However, your risk tolerance should be a fundamental component of your investment strategy, based on your own situation rather than market performance.

Source: Employee Benefit Research Institute, 2015

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