Key Findings: 2013 Main Street Investor Survey

Pulse Supplement

Confidence in U.S. Capital Markets Over Time

(2007 Aug 2013) At the current time, how much confidence would you say you have in U.S. capital markets? Would you say you have a great deal of confidence, quite a bit of confidence, some confidence, very little confidence or no confidence at all? (Oct 2013) As you may know, a budget standoff in Congress led to a shutdown of the federal government on October 1st. Knowing this, how much confidence would you say you have today in U.S. capital markets? Would you say you have a great deal of confidence, quite a bit of confidence, some confidence, very little confidence or no confidence at all? Percent who have some, quite a bit, or a great deal of confidence

84% 70%*

73%

68%*

61%*

65%

69%

69%

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

Aug 2013 Oct 2013

1

*Change is statistically significant from previous year

Confidence in U.S. Capital Markets Post Shutdown

As you may know, a budget standoff in Congress led to a shutdown of the federal government on October 1st. Knowing this, how much confidence would you say you have today in U.S. capital markets? Would you say you have a great deal of confidence, quite a bit of confidence, some confidence, very little confidence or no confidence at all?

69% Confident

42%

26% 18% 9%

31% Not Confident

5%
A great deal Quite a bit Some Very little None

1% Don't know

Confidence in U.S. Capital Markets If Shutdown Persists

The last government shutdown lasted for nearly 3 weeks. If the current shutdown were to last for an extended period of time, how much confidence would you have in U.S. capital markets? Would you have a great deal of confidence, quite a bit of confidence, some confidence, very little confidence or no confidence at all?

60% Confident

37% 30%

40% Not Confident

14% 9% A great deal Quite a bit Some Very little 10% 1% None Don't know

Confidence in U.S. Capital Markets If Fail to Raise Debt Ceiling

In addition to the government shutdown, the country is close to reaching its debt ceiling, meaning that unless Congress raises the limit on how much the federal government can borrow, the U.S. will run out of money and default on its financial obligations. If that were to occur, how much confidence would you have in U.S. capital markets? Would you have a great deal of confidence, quite a bit of confidence, some confidence, very little confidence or no confidence at all?

39% Confident

28%

30%

30%

60% Not Confident

5% A great deal

6% Quite a bit Some Very little None

1% Don't know

Confidence in U.S. Capital Markets Remains Stable

August
80% 69% 60% 69%

October

40% 28% 20% 3% 0% 1% 31%

Not Confident +3

Confident

Not Confident

Don't know

Confidence in U.S. Capital Markets Begins to Ebb if Shutdown Persists

80% 60% 40% 28% 20% 3%

August
69%

October
69%

Long Shutdown
60% Confident -9 Not Confident +9

40% 31% 1%

0%

1%

Confident

Not Confident

Don't know
6

Confidence in U.S. Capital Markets Drops Badly if Debt Ceiling is Not Raised
80% 60% 40% 28% 20% 3%

August
69%

October
69%

Fail to Raise Debt Ceiling

60% Not Confident +29
Confident -30

39%

31% 1%

0%

1%

Confident

Not Confident

Don't know
7