Fear, not money: Survey shows why 1 in 4 noninvestors avoid the stock market

Fear, not money: Survey shows why 1 in 4 noninvestors avoid the stock market

The Motley Fool reports that 67% of investors experience financial stress affecting their decisions, with 25% of non-investors deterred by psychological barriers.

Fear, not money: Survey shows why 1 in 4 noninvestors avoid the stock market - Stateline Publications

Nearly 45% of U.S. adults, and two-thirds of active investors, say financial stress or anxiety directly shapes how they invest, according to the Motley Fool's 2026 Financial Stress and Investing Survey. The effects include avoiding the stock market entirely, panic-selling during downturns, and obsessively checking portfolio balances.Financial stress is widespread. Conducted on April 21, 2026, and included 2,000 American adults ages 18 and older,…