Investing Statistics can seem confusing when you’re just getting started. You hear people talking about stocks and ETFs and retirement accounts. Then you see market headlines about prices going up or down. It can be hard to know what actually matters.
Here’s one thing worth knowing: investing is already part of everyday life for millions of Americans. The Federal Reserve’s 2025 Survey of Consumer Finances found that 56% of U.S. families owned stocks directly or indirectly. At the same time many new investors still struggle to understand risk and investment costs.
These 45 investing statistics bring together research from the Federal Reserve and FINRA Foundation and Gallup and the Investment Company Institute. At WeirdWealth we want to make the numbers easy to follow so beginners can understand what’s happening before putting their money at risk.
Key Takeaways
- 56% of U.S. families owned stocks directly or indirectly in 2025.
- The median stock holdings of families that owned stocks reached $77,400.
- 8% of surveyed investors had started investing within the previous two years.
- 43% of investors under 35 reported trading options.
- 26% of investors said they used social media influencer recommendations.
- U.S. ETF assets reached $13.4 trillion at the end of 2025.
1. Stock Ownership and Investing Statistics
How many Americans actually invest? The answer depends on how a survey defines stock ownership. Some count individuals while others count households and include investments held through retirement accounts.
The following figures show how common investing has become.
- 56% of U.S. families owned stocks directly or indirectly in 2025 according to the Federal Reserve.
- $77,400 was the median value of stock holdings among families that owned stocks in 2025.
- That median was $56,900 in 2022.
- 62% of Americans said they owned stock in Gallup’s 2025 survey. This measures individuals rather than families.
- 80% of investors in FINRA’s 2024 Investor Survey held individual stocks in non-retirement investment accounts.
- 57% held mutual funds in those accounts.
- 33% held individual bonds.
- 31% held exchange-traded funds or ETFs.
- 13% held microcap stocks or penny stocks.
- 11% held real estate investment trusts or REITs.
- 10% held commodities or futures.
- 7% held private placements.
The numbers show that stocks remain a common choice among investors. But they also show that people use different investment products depending on their goals and experience.
A retirement account may hold mutual funds or ETFs even when the investor doesn’t buy individual stocks. That’s why it’s useful to check what each survey actually measures.
2. Beginner Investing and Investor Behavior Statistics
Getting started is often the hardest part. Some people begin with a small amount while others wait until they feel more confident about the market.
FINRA’s 2024 Investor Survey looked at how people invest and how comfortable they feel with risk.
- Only 8% of investors had started investing within the two years before the 2024 survey.
- That was much lower than the 21% who had started within the two years before the 2021 survey.
- The share of adults under 35 who invested fell from 32% in 2021 to 26% in 2024.
- Only 8% of investors were willing to take substantial financial risks for substantial returns in 2024.
- The figure was 12% in 2021.
- 34% of investors felt they needed to take big risks to reach their financial goals.
- Among investors under 35 that figure reached 62%.
- 43% of investors under 35 reported trading options.
- The figure was 24% among investors aged 35 to 54.
- It was 10% among investors aged 55 and older.
- 22% of investors under 35 reported buying investments on margin.
- The figure was 11% for investors aged 35 to 54.
- It was 4% for investors aged 55 and older.
These figures deserve attention if you’re new to investing. Options and margin can increase both potential gains and potential losses. They aren’t automatically suitable for someone who is still learning how the market works.
Starting with basic investments and understanding how much risk you can handle is usually a more sensible first step.
3. ETF and Cryptocurrency Investing Statistics
ETFs and cryptocurrency have become familiar parts of investing conversations. But they work very differently.
An ETF holds a collection of investments and trades on an exchange like a stock. Cryptocurrency is a digital asset that can experience large price swings.
Here are some findings from FINRA and the Investment Company Institute.
- 27% of investors owned cryptocurrency in the 2024 FINRA survey.
- 26% were considering buying cryptocurrency or buying more. That was down from 33% in 2021.
- 66% of investors viewed cryptocurrency as very or extremely risky in 2024. The figure was 58% in 2021.
- Around 19.8 million U.S. households owned ETFs in 2025.
- Those households represented about 15% of U.S. households.
- The U.S. had 4,495 ETFs at the end of 2025.
- Total U.S. ETF assets reached $13.4 trillion in December 2025.
ETFs can offer a simple way to own many investments through one product. However an ETF is not automatically safe. Its risk depends on what it holds. A fund tracking a broad stock market index has a different risk profile from one focused on a narrow industry or a single asset.
4. Investment Fees and Fraud Statistics
Investment fees can look small when you first see them. But they reduce the money that stays invested and can affect long-term results.
Fraud is another concern. Beginners may come across online offers that promise quick profits without explaining the risks.
FINRA’s 2024 research found the following:
- 44% of investors believed they paid account service fees.
- 41% reported paying trading fees or commissions.
- 33% believed they paid mutual fund or ETF fees.
- 23% reported paying fees for investment advice.
- 20% thought they did not pay any investment fees.
- 18% did not know how much they paid in fees.
- 37% of investors were worried about losing money to investment fraud.
- Only 6% believed they had been targeted by an investment scam during the previous year.
- Among those who believed they had been targeted 55% said they lost money.
The survey also tested investors with an offer promising a guaranteed risk-free 25% annual return. About half said they would invest in it.
That should make every beginner pause. No genuine market investment can promise high returns without risk. If an offer sounds too good to be true then take time to check it before sending money.
5. Market and Retirement Investing Statistics
Investing isn’t only about buying stocks in a brokerage account. Many people build wealth through retirement plans and long-term funds.
The Investment Company Institute and SIFMA provide a wider view of the money flowing through U.S. investment markets.
- U.S. households held $49.1 trillion in retirement assets at the end of 2025.
- Retirement assets increased 11% from the end of 2024.
- IRAs and employer-sponsored defined contribution plans such as 401(k)s represented 68% of U.S. retirement market assets.
- Net issuance of ETF shares reached a record $1.5 trillion in 2025.
These figures show how important long-term investing has become. Retirement accounts and funds give people ways to invest over many years instead of trying to predict what the market will do next week.
6. What Should Beginners Learn From These Investing Statistics?
The numbers are useful but they don’t tell you which investment to buy. They show how people invest and where risks can appear.
If you’re just starting out then focus on the basics first.
- Set a clear goal before choosing an investment.
- Keep emergency savings separate from investment money.
- Learn the difference between stocks and bonds and ETFs.
- Understand the fees charged by your investment account and funds.
- Spread your money across different investments rather than relying on one company.
- Avoid borrowing money to invest until you understand the risks.
- Be careful with stock tips and guaranteed-return offers on social media.
- Think about how long you can leave your money invested.
The SEC’s Investor.gov explains that investing involves risk and that diversification can help reduce the impact of a poor result from one investment. Before choosing stocks to consider buying or exploring personal loan options, it’s worth understanding how each decision can affect your finances.
Managing existing debt through smart credit card payment strategies can also help you keep your financial goals on track. Diversification can lower some investment risks but it does not remove market risk completely.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How many Americans invest in the stock market?
The Federal Reserve’s 2025 survey found that 56% of U.S. families owned stocks directly or indirectly. Gallup separately found that 62% of individual Americans reported owning stock in 2025. The figures use different survey methods.
2. What is the best investment for beginners?
There is no single best investment for everyone. Broadly diversified funds may be easier to understand than choosing individual stocks. Your goals and time frame and comfort with risk all matter.
3. Are ETFs good for beginner investors?
ETFs can give investors access to a group of assets through one investment. But their risk depends on what they hold. Always check the fund’s investments and fees before buying.
4. How much money do I need to start investing?
The amount depends on the investment and the brokerage account. Some platforms allow small purchases or fractional shares. Check minimums and fees before opening an account.
5. Is investing risky?
Yes. Stocks and funds can lose value and you may get back less than you invested. Diversification and a suitable time frame can help manage risk but cannot remove it.
6. Can beginners trust investment advice on social media?
Be careful. Some creators share useful educational information while others may promote risky products or investments they own. Verify claims through reliable sources and never invest only because someone online recommends it.
Final Thoughts
These investing statistics show that millions of Americans take part in the market through stocks and funds and retirement accounts. They also show that investment knowledge and risk awareness still matter.
You don’t need to rush into buying stocks just because other people are investing. Learn the basics first and understand the costs. A steady plan that fits your goals is more useful than chasing every market trend.
At WeirdWealth we believe beginners deserve clear and honest financial information. The more you understand about investing the easier it becomes to make decisions that suit your own situation.
Disclaimer
This article is for general educational purposes only and is not personal investment advice. Investing involves risk and you may lose some or all of the money you invest. Statistics come from surveys and industry reports that use different methods and dates. Past market performance does not guarantee future results. Consider your financial goals and risk tolerance before making investment decisions.
