The French investment space is experiencing new trends that are driving younger and more active investors into the market. This is according to a study that revealed that 40% of French investors made their first investment in the last four years.

The study by the AMF and OECD also highlighted the rise of independent, self-directed investors. This new trend points to a shift from traditional assets towards more innovative options, including ETFs, crypto-assets, and crowdfunding.

A New Wave of Investors

According to the study, 24% of French people identify as independent and active investors. These investors take control of their portfolios, opting not to delegate management. This group is predominantly male, younger, and hails from higher socio-economic backgrounds.

Interestingly, over half of these investors entered the markets within the past four years, with a growing number under the age of 35 choosing ETFs as their preferred investment vehicle.

The study also disclosed that investment practices are evolving beyond traditional shares and bonds. Only 18% of investors hold only listed shares, while many prefer to diversify, holding multiple products such as funds, open-end investment companies, crypto-assets, and crowdfunding securities.

Exchange-traded Funds (ETFs) have rapidly gained popularity in France, particularly among younger investors. Half of the investors in ETFs have invested less than €10,000, with a focus on medium- to long-term equity and sustainable ETFs.

The appeal of ETFs lies in their ability to provide diversified exposure to different markets and sectors at a lower cost compared to traditional mutual funds. Furthermore, 60% of ETF investors are choosing to spread their investments across multiple markets, reflecting an appetite for global exposure.

Social media platforms, including YouTube and Instagram, have become pivotal in shaping the opinions of younger investors, while older generations prefer more traditional media outlets that cover the stock market.

Crowdfunding platforms have also seen increased participation, especially among middle-aged investors (35-49). These investors tend to look for alternative investment opportunities beyond listed shares. Real estate projects and local community ventures are particularly popular.

Crypto Assets

While still not as widely held, crypto-assets are also making inroads. Younger investors are more open to these digital assets, seeing them as high-risk but high-reward opportunities.

For many, investing in crypto offers a way to diversify portfolios and access potential gains outside the scope of traditional markets.

The rise of technology has made investing more accessible than ever. Three-quarters of investors log into their investment accounts at least once a week, and smartphones are the primary devices for managing portfolios.

Fractional investments and copy-trading, where investors replicate the trades of others, are becoming increasingly popular, providing new ways for inexperienced or smaller investors to engage with the market.