Q2 2025 Trader Client Sentiment Report
A quarterly study exploring the outlooks, expectations, trading patterns and points of view of clients at Charles Schwab–who actively trade equities or trade options, futures, or forex.
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Key Findings
- Political concerns are on the rise: The political landscape in Washington is traders’ greatest investing concern in Q2 – up 9 points from Q1 2025 to 23% - followed closely by concerns about market volatility and a possible market correction.
- Recession concerns are up: The number of traders predicting a recession in 2025 nearly doubled quarter-over-quarter (33% in Q1 2025 vs. 63% in Q2).
- Stagflation is also a concern: Nearly two-thirds (62%) of traders anticipate “stagflation” will hit in 2025.
- Volatility may represent opportunity: Nearly two-thirds (61%) of traders report they will ‘buy the dip’ should market volatility continue in Q2. More traders (35%) anticipate moving assets into the stock market than anticipate moving them out (18%) given their expectations for the economy.
About the survey
The Charles Schwab Trader Sentiment Survey is a quarterly study exploring the outlooks, expectations, trading patterns and points of view of clients at Charles Schwab–who actively trade equities or trade options, futures, or forex. The study included 981 Active Trader clients at Charles Schwab and was fielded from April 1 – 14, 2025.
Media Contact: Margaret Farrell
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