Attached is this week’s version of “By the Numbers” from MFS. The two facts below touch upon the average investor’s understanding of equity markets and a clarification of total employee compensation.
“48% of 2,000 American adults surveyed in August 2018 thought the US stock market had been flat over the last 10 years. Another 18% of the 2,000 folks surveyed thought the US stock market had declined over the last 10 years” (source: Betterment).
“For every $1 spent for wages and salaries in the private sector, employers spend an additional 44 cents on benefits. Average compensation is $23.78 per hour while the cost of benefits averages an additional $10.41 per hour” (source: Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What I find most interesting about the 48% stat is the source, Betterment. This is one of the larger unaffiliated Robo-Advisors showing that investors are often unaware of what is taking place in the market. This simple client education is something that can be provided by a full service Investment Advisor much more effectively than a web-based robo platform.
Peter Malone, CFA
Research Analyst
Direct: 617.226.0030
Fax: 617.523.8118
Crestwood Advisors
One Liberty Square
Suite 500
Boston, MA 02109