美国人迷上了用401(k)账户炒股

Core Insights - There is a record proportion of stocks in 401(k) accounts across almost all age groups of American workers, driven by a prolonged market uptrend [1][6] - The average stock allocation in 401(k) accounts for those in their 30s reached 88% last year, up from 82% a decade ago, while for those in their 60s, it increased to 60% from 57% [1][3] - Target date funds are also seeing increased stock allocations, with the average stock allocation for new entrants reaching 92% by the end of 2024, compared to 85% in 2014 [6] Group 1 - The trend of increasing stock investments in 401(k) accounts is evident, with many investors opting for higher stock exposure due to attractive market returns [1][6] - Investors are currently favoring stocks over bonds or cash, as evidenced by the S&P 500 index's nearly 10% increase this year [1][6] - Some investors, like Eric Evans, have gone "ALL IN" on stocks, with 100% of their investments in equities, reflecting a growing risk tolerance among market participants [7][10] Group 2 - Despite concerns about high valuations based on price-to-earnings ratios, many investors remain committed to their stock holdings [8][9] - Historical trends show that Americans have increasingly relied on the stock market for retirement savings since the introduction of 401(k) plans in 1978 [9] - The belief in market recovery, supported by past interventions from the Federal Reserve or Congress, contributes to investor confidence in stock investments [9][10] Group 3 - Target date funds are shifting towards higher stock allocations, with the average stock allocation for those within five years of retirement reaching 55% in June, up from 50% in 2020 [11] - The rise of target date funds has encouraged younger investors to enter the market, often without actively choosing their stock exposure [11][12] - Asset management firms are increasingly adopting higher stock allocation strategies in target date funds to mitigate the risk of running out of funds in retirement [12][13]