A recent poll conducted by Benzinga revealed that when it comes to entrusting life savings, investors overwhelmingly prefer the wisdom of Warren Buffett over the entrepreneurial prowess of Elon Musk. The hypothetical question presented to Benzinga readers asked who they would trust most with their life savings, offering a selection of renowned investors and billionaires.
Buffett emerged as the clear winner, securing 58% of the votes. This resounding victory can be attributed to his decades of impressive investment returns and track record of outperforming the stock market. Berkshire Hathaway, Buffett’s holding company, has seen a remarkable 123.4% increase in share value over the past five years and a staggering 227.2% rise in the last decade.
Elon Musk, despite his status as the world’s richest person and his involvement with successful ventures like Tesla, SpaceX, and Neuralink, only garnered 11% of the votes. Mark Cuban, another tech mogul known for his investments and appearances on ‘Shark Tank,’ tied with Musk for second place with 11% of the vote.
The poll also explored investor sentiment towards the stock market and cryptocurrency for the remainder of 2024. While a majority (56%) plan to maintain their broad market exposure and ride the wave, 26% anticipate a strong bull run and are buying high-risk assets. Conversely, 18% are bracing for a major pullback and holding conservative assets or staying out of the market altogether.
Regarding the cryptocurrency sector, particularly Bitcoin, nearly half of the respondents (45%) are currently avoiding crypto investments. However, those who are invested are more bullish (39%) than bearish (17%) about Bitcoin’s future, suggesting anticipation for a post-halving surge in the coming year.
This poll provides valuable insights into investor preferences and market sentiment. While it’s unlikely that investors will ever have direct access to managing their funds with these renowned individuals, the poll highlights the influence and impact they have on investment strategies. Investors can still align their portfolios with the strategies of these prominent figures by investing in companies like Tesla, Berkshire Hathaway, or Ark Innovation.
