Wall Street Is Main Street

respond if stocks declined, 8 per cent said that they would sell, 54 per cent that they would “make no major changes,” and 31 per cent that they would “buy more to take advantage of lower prices.”

Another indication of investors’ lengthening time horizon is the disproportionate growth of retirement accounts. In the mere six years between 1989 and 1995, Keoghs, IRAs, 401 (k)s, and other plans rose 41 per cent as a portion of total family assets. Such accounts mature slowly and are subject to penalties for early withdrawal. Many employer-matched accounts require years of service before the employee can claim the company contributions as his own.

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New York Stock Exchange

respond if stocks declined, 8 per cent said that they would sell, 54 per cent that they would “make no major changes,” and 31 per cent that they would “buy more to take advantage of lower prices.”

Another indication of investors’ lengthening time horizon is the disproportionate growth of retirement accounts. In the mere six years between 1989 and 1995, Keoghs, IRAs, 401 (k)s, and other plans rose 41 per cent as a portion of total family assets. Such accounts mature slowly and are subject to penalties for early withdrawal. Many employer-matched accounts require years of service before the employee can claim the company contributions as his own.