Related Expertise: Corporate Development & Finance

The COVID-19 Investor Pulse Check Series

What is the impact of the crisis on investors’ expectations for the US economy, the US stock market, and business leaders?

October 22, 2020

BCG’s COVID-19 Investor Pulse Check series is intended to bring the voice of the investor to business leaders and board members. While we feature the most recent investor perspectives here, you can explore earlier editions below.

The latest edition—conducted October 16–17, 2020—finds that investors are more bearish on the duration of the pandemic and the outlook for 2021. In addition, 74% think management teams should move quickly to revise plans after the US election. The respondents represent investment firms with more than $4 trillion in combined assets under management. They cover a broad spectrum of investing types and styles, and about 80% are portfolio managers and senior analysts directly responsible for making buy, sell, and hold decisions.

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September 18–19, 2020

COVID-19 Investor Pulse Check #10

A majority of investors expect the S&P 500 to return to earnings growth by the end of Q2 2021. And 70% support reinstating dividends at some level for COVID-resilient companies by the end of Q1 2021.

August 7–9, 2020

COVID-19 INVESTOR PULSE CHECK #9

A majority of investors expect either a W-shaped or U-shaped recovery. And 71% believe management should actively pursue acquisitions to strengthen the business, preferably using tuck-in deals.

July 17–19, 2020

COVID-19 INVESTOR PULSE CHECK #8

Investors expect the pandemic’s impact on the US economy to last longer—through Q2 2021. In addition, only 11% of investors think management is seizing the moment to build advantage.

JUNE 26–28, 2020

COVID-19 INVESTOR PULSE CHECK #7

Investors are more pessimistic on the timing and shape of the recovery. This edition also includes investor perspectives on management incentives in the current environment.

JUNE 5–7, 2020

COVID-19 INVESTOR PULSE CHECK #6

Investors are more bullish than they were in April—and still willing to offer management significant flexibility to invest for the long term. They also want discretionary investment focused on financial health and future growth.

MAY 15–17, 2020

COVID-19 INVESTOR PULSE CHECK #5

Investors are less bullish on the market than they were one month ago, and they want honest and transparent communications from management.

MAY 1–3, 2020

COVID-19 INVESTOR PULSE CHECK #4

Investors expect the pandemic’s impact on the US economy to continue through the end of 2020, and less than half of them are bullish for the market in 2021.

APRIL 17–19, 2020

COVID-19 INVESTOR PULSE CHECK #3

Investors are increasingly negative on the economy in 2020 and on the stock market in 2021. See the results from the investor survey conducted April 17–19.

APRIL 3–5, 2020

COVID-19 INVESTOR PULSE CHECK #2

Investors are bearish now, but they are increasingly bullish for 2021 and 2022—and willing to offer executives unexpected flexibility to navigate the crisis.

MARCH 20–22, 2020

COVID-19 INVESTOR PULSE CHECK #1

BCG’s ongoing survey provides insights on the US market and economy direct from the portfolio managers and senior analysts making buy, sell, and hold decisions right now.

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Authors

Jeff Kotzen

Managing Director & Senior Partner

New Jersey

Tim Nolan

Managing Director & Senior Partner

New York

Julien Ghesquieres

Managing Director & Partner

New York

Gregory Rice

Director

New York

Eric Olsen

Senior Advisor

Chicago

Hady Farag

Partner & Associate Director

New York

Akshay Kohli

Partner

New York

Callan Sainsbury

Project Leader

New York

The COVID-19 Investor Pulse Check Series

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