Nervous investors cite Washington politics as top cause for concern

Schwab’s survey found that 52 percent of investors are feeling bearish, versus 41 percent a year ago.

Politics in Washington was the foremost concern cited by those surveyed, at 28 percent. That was followed by uncertainty due to market volatility, 12 percent; fears about a coming correction, 12 percent; and geopolitical or global macroeconomic issues, 11 percent.

Investors ages 40 through 55 and those who are retired are the most bearish, according to the survey.

And almost a third expect the next economic downturn will happen in the next year, as shown in the chart from Schwab below.