Tech, crypto, and AI emerge as top investor bets for 2025
The start of 2025 has delivered no shortage of economic turbulence. From renewed trade tensions to persistent inflationary pressures, uncertainty has remained a defining theme across global markets.
Yet, a new survey suggests that traders and investors remain unfazed, with 80% expressing confidence in their portfolios’ ability to generate positive returns this year.
The survey, conducted by FCA-regulated fintech provider Trade Nation, polled investors and traders on their outlook for the year ahead, their biggest concerns, and the industries they believe will yield the highest returns.
While traditional safe-haven assets have long provided a buffer against economic instability, investors appear increasingly bullish on technology-driven sectors.
When asked which industries they felt most confident about in 2025, 36% of respondents pointed to technology as their top pick, followed by cryptocurrencies and blockchain (32%).
AI and automation rounded out the top three at 31%—a notable ranking given the rapid advancements in generative AI and its integration across industries.
Other sectors drawing investor confidence include real estate (23%), renewable energy (21%), and healthcare and biotech (19%). The findings suggest a continued appetite for innovation-driven industries, even as economic headwinds persist.
Confidence levels varied significantly by age group. Younger investors appeared the most optimistic, with 88% of respondents aged 24-34 expecting positive returns in 2025.
This figure drops to 66% among those over 65, signaling a generational divide in risk appetite and market sentiment.
Despite widespread optimism, concerns about economic downturns remain prevalent. More than half (53%) of respondents cited the possibility of a recession as their top worry, followed by inflation (46%), market volatility (40%), and geopolitical instability (36%).
Interest rate fluctuations were flagged as a concern by 36% of investors, while 19% worried about AI’s potential disruption to industries and traditional investment strategies.
Interestingly, despite some anxiety over AI’s role in reshaping markets, 51% of those surveyed at least somewhat agreed that AI-driven trading algorithms and robo-advisors will eventually outperform human investors—a belief that may explain the heightened confidence in AI-related investments.
While the pursuit of profit remains the dominant driver of investment decisions—cited by 57% of respondents—broader considerations are increasingly shaping portfolio strategies.
Market trends (56%) and company financial stability (56%) were also major factors, but nearly a third (30%) of investors acknowledged that a company’s ethics and sustainability practices influence their investment choices.
Among younger investors aged 25-34, that figure rose to 37%, suggesting a growing emphasis on ESG considerations in portfolio construction.
David Morrison, Senior Trade Analyst at Trade Nation, noted that despite economic uncertainties, investor sentiment remains strong.
“Our survey highlights the resilience of traders and investors. Even with a turbulent start to the year, confidence remains high, particularly in sectors like AI and tech. The data suggests that investors are looking beyond short-term volatility and positioning themselves for long-term gains.”