The majority of Danish pension customers have gained a greater understanding of the importance of staying calm when markets fall following the equity sell-off that came after Trump’s so-called ‘Liberation Day’, according to a new Epinion survey conducted on behalf of Sampension.

The survey, which questioned around 1,000 Danes with pension schemes, found that two out of three Danish pension savers felt that the rollercoaster ride on the stock markets after Trump’s ‘Liberation Day’ on 2 April had taught them the importance of keeping their wits about them when stocks plunge.

Overall, 63 per cent agreed that the stock markets’ comeback in the wake of Liberation Day had increased their understanding that pension savers should generally remain calm and avoid reducing their investment risk – and thus their share allocation – when stock markets fall, as they can quickly recover.

The survey also found differences across gender and age. In the wake of Liberation Day, 69 per cent of men and 56 per cent of women said they had gained a greater understanding of the importance of keeping an open mind when stock markets are down.

Broken down by age, 56 per cent of 18–34-year-olds, 63 per cent of 35–55-year-olds and 71 per cent of 56–65-year-olds said the same.

“Most of us probably remember when Trump waved his customs cardboard sign six months ago. That day not only signalled the start of the trade war, but also a rollercoaster ride on the stock markets. In the days that followed, shares plunged significantly, with US shares (S&P500), for example, at one point down around 20 per cent for the year,” Sampension chief advisor, Helle Dalsgaard, said.

Dalsgaard noted that the steep market declines understandably led many Danes to worry about the impact on their pension savings. However, as has often been the case, markets rebounded swiftly, and within about a month, most of the losses had been recovered.

She added that the subsequent equity rally has largely continued, helping to deliver strong pension returns for Danes so far this year.

“The fact that the equity sell-off after Liberation Day seems to have given many Danes a greater understanding of this connection is obviously positive,” she added.

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