Report

Q1 2026 Trader Client Sentiment Report

Summary

The Q1 2026 Trader Client Sentiment Report provides an analysis of investor outlooks, risk appetites, and strategic priorities among active traders. The primary thesis indicates that while bullish sentiment remains prevalent, it has experienced a modest decline compared to the end of 2025. Traders are currently navigating a landscape defined by geopolitical uncertainty and domestic political concerns, yet they maintain a high degree of confidence in their ability to manage their portfolios and execute investment decisions. Key findings reveal that over half of the surveyed traders maintain a bullish outlook, though this sentiment has softened by five percentage points since Q4 2025. Information Technology experienced the most significant drop in sector sentiment, while Energy, Utilities, and Materials remain the most favored sectors. Growth, Artificial Intelligence, and value stocks are identified as the top investment priorities for the quarter. Despite concerns regarding potential market corrections and macroeconomic instability, 47% of traders describe themselves as risk-seeking, with 83% expressing a high likelihood of buying into market dips over the next three months. The research is based on a survey of 2,121 active traders conducted between January 20 and January 27, 2026. The sample consists of Charles Schwab clients with at least $2,000 in retail assets, weighted by life stage and affluence to ensure a representative view of the active trader segment. The geographic scope is focused on the U.S. market, capturing sentiment during a period of heightened focus on federal policy, interest rates, and global economic conditions. The data underscores a resilient investor base that, despite identifying geopolitical conflict and market volatility as primary risks, remains committed to active participation in equity markets.

From the report

Q1 2026 Trader Client Sentiment Report charles SCHWAB Oun your tomorrow.

▪ This material is intended for informational purposes only. The investment strategies mentioned may not be suitable for everyone. Each investor needs to review an investment strategy for his or her own particular situation before making any investment decisions. ▪ Investing involves risk, including loss of principal, and for some products and strategies, loss of more than your initial investment.

More than half of traders are bullish on the stock market, although bullish sentiment is down five percentage points from the end of 2025. Key Q1 Themes ▪ Bullish market sentiment dropped the most among young traders compared to other age groups. ▪ The Energy, Utilities, and Materials sectors have the most bullish sentiment among traders with Information Technology sentiment dropping the most of any sector since Q4 2025. ▪ Traders are most bullish on growth, AI, and value stocks in Q1 2026, although sentiment in AI stocks has dropped since Q4 2025. ▪ The political landscape in Washington DC and Geopolitical/global macro economic issues are Traders’ top concerns, with 1-in-5 worried about uncertainty or the potential of a market correction. ▪ Although there is concern over the weakening of the stock market, many traders (47%) are risk-seeking, with 83% likely to “buy the dip” if the market declines over the next 3 months.

Good Time Better Off Confident In Planned Actions For The Next 3 Months to Invest Financially Decisions 54% 60% 67% Move money into individual stocks 50% $ ¤ Add money into my investment portfolio 46% Move money into ETFs 45% Primary Concern Next Move money into another type of 22% 3 Month Outlook 52% 3 Months Move investment vehicle money into cash investments 22% The political landscape in 24% n Bullish Washington D.C. Seek investing guidance or advice 19% Geopolitical/global 20% macroeconomic issues Bearish Move money into fixed income 19% 32% Market is overdue for 11% investments a correction Take money out of my investment portfolio 18% Move money into mutual funds 12% Other 17%

five percentage points from the end of 2025. Outlook For U.S. Stock Market (Single response only; Among Trader Sample) 80% 60% 53% 46% 56% 53% 51% 57% 57% 52% I think the market will continue to perform well, Bullish Net 32% and I feel like my portfolio is 40% 29% 33% 28% 27% 29% 36% 35% 31% Bullish well-positioned to grow with 25% 52% the market. 20% 15% 12% (-5) I think the market will continue to perform well, 17% 23% 21% 23% 25% 24% 17% 21% 22% 21% and I plan to increase my allocation to equities as a 0% -18% -10% -16% -11% -9% -12% -19% -10% -13% -14% result. I think the market is due for -20% -20% -21% -22% -19% -19% a significant correction, and -23% -18% I’m concerned about the -25% possible impact on my -40% -35% -38% Bearish portfolio. -30% -31% -31% -29% -32% -32% 32% Bearish Net -34% (+1) I think the market is due for -41% a significant correction, but -60% -53% I’m confident that I have a -57% plan to withstand it. -80% 15% 17% 13% 13% 16% 14% 14% 14% 11% 16% Don’t know Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 2023 2024 2024 2024 2024 2025 2025 2025 2025 2026 Base = Weighted Total (n=2,121) 5

Outlook For U.S. Stock Market By Life Stage (Single response only; Among Trader Sample) 80% Young Investors Mid-Life Mature Retired 60% 59% 54% 54% 45% 50% 58% 52% 51% 51% 59% 61% 56% 46% 54% 61% 55% 31% 37% 34% I think the market will 40% 36% 31% 22% 28% 35% 26% 29% 32% 37% 33% 42% 37% Bullish Net continue to perform well, 22% 28% 33% 28% 37% and I feel like my portfolio is 12% 18% well-positioned to grow with 20% 28% 10% 27% 10% the market. 19% 23% 17% 18% 23% 19% 25% 22% 20% 22% 24% 22% 17% 15% 17% 19% 19% I think the market will 0% 12% continue to perform well, and I plan to increase my -9% -18% -14% -13% -13% -11% -20% -8% -16% -13% -12% -17% -10% -12% -14% -15% -9% -13% -16% allocation to equities as a -24% result. -20% -21% -20% -25% -24% -28% -21% -22% -20% -20% -15% -14% -16% -21% -21% -13% -14% I think the market is due for a significant correction, and -40% -30% -38% -29% -33% -25% -26% -31% -26% -30% I’m concerned about the -51% -34% -33% -32% -30% -30% possible impact on my -38% -37% -39% -38% -36% portfolio. -60% -50% -55% Bearish Net I think the market is due for -58% a significant correction, but I’m confident that I have a -80% -69% plan to withstand it. 11% 9% 11% 8% 18% 11% 15% 12% 11% 16% 17% 17% 16% 13% 14% 18% 11% 17% 12% 15% Don’t know Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 2025 2025 2025 2025 2026 2025 2025 2025 2025 2026 2025 2025 2025 2025 2026 2025 2025 2025 2025 2026 Base = Weighted Total (n=2,121) 6

Pages: 20
Words: 2,338
Format: PDF
Type: Report

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