The Sharesies index stayed in the balanced range of 41 to 55 from April to June, with record April deposits and steady buying reflecting measured, long-term investor confidence amid global uncertainty, according to a Tuesday report by Sharesies.

The Sharesies index is a quarterly measure of retail investor confidence in Australia and New Zealand, based on anonymized platform data.

The average net buy-to-sell ratio held steady at 1.19, reflecting strong investor buying, while the net deposit ratio surged to 2.03, driven by a record NZ$208 million in April deposits, underscoring sustained investor commitment, the report said.

The percentage invested in companies averaged 64% this quarter, rising above 70% late in the period, signaling a potential return to company-focused investing as sentiment steadies.

The top five companies across the Sharesies Bundle, which include Air New Zealand (NZE:AIR, ASX:AIZ), showed stability despite increased volatility in the Sharesies Bundle in April amid global tensions and broader market uncertainty.

Over five years, the index showed investor sentiment declining with rising rates and inflation through 2023, then rebounding late that year as easing rates renewed confidence, with investors shifting toward funds amid ongoing global uncertainty.

A growing subset of investors is pursuing riskier themes, driving increased trading in emerging sectors, the report said.