Should You Move Your Money? What 1,006 Investors Are Doing Now

Although markets have calmed since the U.S.-Iran de-escalation, investor sentiment tells a different story. A recent MarketWise survey of 1,006 American investors found that 79% are worried the next geopolitical headline could erase the market's recent gains, while 72% say positive news feels too fragile to act on.

Here's what investors are doing with their money amid ongoing market uncertainty and what it could mean for your portfolio.

Most Investors Are Holding Steady Despite Market Worries

Despite feelings of uneasiness, most investors aren't making any changes to their investments. The survey found that more than half of investors are holding their current positions (53%) and 51% haven't moved a single dollar in the past 30 days.

"Doing nothing can be a smart decision when it means sticking to a diversified, long-term plan rather than reacting to geopolitical headlines," said James Royal, senior writer at MarketWise.

However, staying invested and staying frozen are not necessarily the same thing.

"One danger is that 'holding steady' may actually mean leaving too much money in cash, pausing retirement contributions or avoiding routine rebalancing because of fear," Royal said. "Investors should ask whether their portfolio still matches their timeline and risk tolerance and not whether the next headline gives a reassuring feeling."

For investors with retirement goals decades away, missing months of contributions could be more damaging than simply riding out ordinary market volatility.

Investors Who Move Money Are Making Small Portfolio Changes

Among the nearly half of investors who have moved money recently, most moves were relatively modest rather than an overhaul. According to the survey, 18% moved 5% to 10% of their assets, 16% moved less than 5%, 11% moved 11% to 25%, 3% moved 26% to 50% and only 2% moved more than half of their holdings.

"Small adjustments are generally healthier than big portfolio shifts because they reduce the risk of making an all-or-nothing decision at the wrong time," Royal said. "Moving 5% to 10% can restore an investor's intended balance, raise a modest cash reserve or reduce an uncomfortable concentration without abandoning the long-term strategy."

Royal said major portfolio changes are typically better reserved for major life events, such as retirement , job loss or a significant shift in financial goals, rather than short-term developments in the news cycle.

"Cautious rebalancing gives investors room to respond without turning market anxiety into long-term damage," he added.