The Spectrem Affluent Household Outlook moved positive for the first time since July 2011.  The Outlook’s rise was driven primarily by more positive attitudes toward the Economy, which, which still negative (-1.58) did jump 15.34 points.  This was the largest increase in a year.  The Overall Outlook, based on investor attitudes regarding issues that impact their daily lives, increased 5.6 points to 2.68.

The New Year began with investment wariness continuing.  Our monthly survey of investment preferences shows Not Investing rising by 2.6 points.  There was movement away from Cash slightly and towards stocks, especially by Non-Millionaires.  Investment in Stocks, in these households, rose to a near year-high.  The number of Non-Millionaires who chose to Not Invest was the lowest since June 2011.

Spending and saving habits don’t necessarily improve with age, although younger households seem to be putting a greater priority on the latter, according to investor surveys conducted by Spectrem Group.

In what may be a case of a rising tide lifting all boats, Millionaire investors are making significantly more use of financial companies and institutions to meet their needs as the economy has struggled to recover, according to a fourth financial quarter study of affluent investors conducted by Millionaire Corner.