Last year, the Harris Poll conducted a survey about investing
for the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)
— with sobering results. Almost half of the survey's
respondents (48%) said they believed that "a volatile market
gives them an easy opportunity to make a profit." In addition,
28% who said they are involved in household investment decisions
perform no investment research, and the majority (63%) of those who
perform research do it quarterly or less frequently.
These findings suggest that many Americans could use a refresher
course in the difference between investing and speculating. A
warning about the threat that the latter poses to an investor's
wealth is also needed.
