DIY investors have entered 2026 in a notably bullish mood, with more than a third actively seeking high levels of investment risk – a shift most pronounced among younger generations, according to research from Charles Stanley Direct.
The survey of self-directed investors found that 36% are currently looking to take a high level of investment risk, with 11% seeking a very high level. A further 50% say their risk appetite is higher than usual.
The generational split is stark. Half of Gen Z investors (aged 18-28) are seeking high levels of risk, compared with 41% of Millennials (aged 29-44) and just 18% of Gen X investors (aged 45-60). Six in 10 Gen Z respondents say they are taking more risk than they typically would.
Rob Morgan, chief investment analyst at Charles Stanley Direct, said: "DIY investors have started the year in a positive frame of mind and are showing signs of optimism as they adopt risk-seeking behaviour. This is most notable among younger investors, who naturally have more time on their side and are keen go-getters in turning their financial ambitions into reality."
The longer investment horizon available to younger investors is a straightforward explanation for their higher risk tolerance: more time allows portfolios to recover from market downturns and compound returns over a longer period.
Access to financial advice appears to amplify this confidence further. Among DIY investors who receive professional advice, 56% are seeking high levels of investment risk, nearly three times the 19% recorded among those who have never sought advice.
Morgan added a note of caution alongside the positive sentiment. "Investors also need to take care and hedge their portfolios appropriately," he said. "It's important to take a long-term view and make sure portfolios are well diversified to weather any market storms."