The Gamestop fiasco last year has led to a surge in millennials and Gen Z becoming involved in the stock market, investing their money in the companies they believe are the future. The Reddit uprising dominated stock market news, but that’s not the only thing millennials and Gen Z, whose ages range from 25-40, are investing money in.
In fact, the younger market is much more diverse than you might imagine and their investments show an intriguing range of choices. So what companies do the younger generations believe in and who are they investing in?
A new study by financial source DailyFX has analysed the stock market in the US to find out which companies young investors are backing.
The top 50 stocks in the US among millennials and Gen Z
- US INVESTORS BACK TECHNOLOGY AND CARS
Many of America’s most popular investments among the youngest investors come in the form of technology brands, with the likes of Apple, Plug Power, GoPro and Fitbit making the top 50. Automotive companies also draw interest, with the likes of Ford, Tesla and Marathon Oil attracting millennial and Gen Z attention.
Major brands such as Starbucks, Uber and Netflix also prove a source of stock excitement — supporting an assertion by The Economist, which pointed out that “Global brands account for more than 30% of the stock market value of companies in the S&P 500 index.”
- MILLENNIALS AND GEN Z TAKE A CLEAR INTEREST IN HEALTHCARE
Young Americans across the country also show an interest in investing in healthcare. Both Pfizer and Moderna, which are pioneering vaccines for the covid-19 pandemic, appear high on young investor lists.
- YOUNG INVESTORS BELIEVE IN TRAVEL
Stocks in travel-related industry stocks also lure younger investors. American Airlines is the fifth most popular stock with the likes of Delta and JetBlue airways also among the top 30.
Cruise company Royal Caribbean also appears among the most popular stocks for millennials and Generation Z.
What millennials are investing in by state
The study also found the most popular investments by state with some preferring to invest in household names such as Apple and Disney, while others being less well known. DailyFX looked at the trends in search volume for share prices in each state to work out who wants what, where.
Apple (AAPL) is the most popular millennial investment in seven states
It comes as no surprise to see that tech giant Apple is one of the brands leading the way for millennial and Gen Z investments. At the time of writing, its share price sits at $134.16, an increase from $69.23 over the past year. Covid-19 has certainly played a part in the company’s success, with people across the globe relying more than ever on technology to keep them connected.
Apple is the most popular stock among millennials and Gen Z in Alabama, Florida, Kentucky, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Mexico and West Virginia.
Plug Power (PLUG) shows younger audiences are investing in sustainability
Plug Power is another brand popular with millennials and Gen Z. In fact, it is the top investment among the demographic group across seven states. Plug Power is a developer of hydrogen-based technology that could power the emission-free vehicles of the future.
Its technology is promising news for the environment. The younger investors interested in Plug Power span Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Louisiana, New Jersey, South Dakota and Tennessee.
NIO is the most sought after investment for American millennials
Another electric car brand appealing to US millennial investors and Gen Z is NIO. The Shanghai-based manufacturer shot to fame in the Formula E racing championship and is being tipped by many to become a rival for Tesla.
NIO is the most popular millennial investment in eight states, making it the USA’s most sought after stock for the age bracket. Investors in Georgia, Montana, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, Vermont and Virginia can’t get enough of the brand. This huge wave of investment and confidence comes even though no NIO car has been sold in the US as of yet.
