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RETAIL BUYING OF STOCKS AND ETFS HITS NEW RECORD - VANDA

Vanda Research has taken a closer look at retail trading activity over H1 and its main takeaway is that this group of investors remains a top force in markets with buying reaching $155.3 billion - the strongest first half on record.

"Participation is at record highs, the dip-buying bias is fully intact, and engagement with single names — particularly high-beta and leveraged plays — continues to rise. Performance is holding up, and risk appetite is anything but shy," writes Marco Iachini, senior vice president, research at Vanda.

"Nothing seems to stop this retail train."

According to the research firm, the strength in flows was driven by both the "American Exceptionalism" narrative and by aggressive buying around the Liberation Day selloff.

In more detail, Vanda says Nvidia NVDA.O remains on top of the most-favoured stocks, and Tesla TSLA.O has regained the No. 2 spot. Interestingly, Ford F.N made a re-entry in the top 20, likely driven by speculation around auto tariffs.

(Danilo Masoni)

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