Gen-Z Drives Monthly Investing as Retail Traders Broaden Portfolios in 2025, Survey Finds

Nearly eight in ten retail investors now invest in financial markets every month, with younger generations leading the trend, according to new global survey data from eToro. The findings point to a more disciplined and diversified approach among individual investors compared with previous years.

The survey, conducted by Opinium for eToro and covering 11,000 retail investors across 13 countries, found that 79% of respondents invest monthly and 70% actively review their portfolios. Monthly investing was most prevalent among younger cohorts, with 87% of Generation Z and 86% of millennials reporting regular participation, compared with 79% of Generation X and 68% of baby boomers.

Lale Akoner, global market strategist at eToro, said retail investors are increasingly “engaged, deliberate and consistent,” contrasting with the more opportunistic image often associated with the surge in retail trading during 2021. She added that many newer participants entered markets during periods of volatility and macroeconomic uncertainty, prompting closer monitoring of global trends and greater use of technology and information to manage risk.

Data from the survey indicates a second consecutive year of rising diversification across asset classes. Between the fourth quarter of 2024 and the fourth quarter of 2025, the share of investors holding commodities rose by 11 percentage points, domestic bonds by six points and foreign bonds by 14 points. Exposure to cryptoassets and foreign equities also increased, while allocations to domestic equities and cash declined. Akoner noted that diversification is increasingly being used as a core risk-management tool.

The report also links portfolio positioning to macroeconomic developments. Almost half of respondents said they plan to adjust their portfolios as the US dollar weakens, and gold ownership rose to 48%, up three percentage points since the second quarter of 2025.

Separately, eToro has reported that about one-third of stock trading on its platform now occurs outside traditional market hours, reflecting demand for greater flexibility. The company recently expanded 24/5 trading access to all S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 stocks following an initial rollout covering 100 large US equities. Other industry data cited by eToro showed that it held 45% of existing Australian contracts-for-difference traders, while Capital.com accounted for 14% of new trader onboardings, the highest share among brokers.