After Enron, Are You Fed Up?

Has the Enron fiasco shaken your confidence in the markets? An Ipsos-Reid poll of 619 investors conducted for BusinessWeek on Feb. 11 found they don't see Enron as an isolated case. Now, you can let us know how you feel about the accounting mess. Below are many of the same questions Ipsos-Reid asked of its random sample of American investors. While this version is not a scientifically valid survey, we're still interested in your opinions and welcome your feedback. Thank you for participating!

Do you currently invest in stocks or stock mutual funds inside an employer-sponsored defined-contribution plan such as a 401(k)?

Yes

No

Do you currently invest in stocks or stock mutual funds outside an employer-sponsored 401(k)?

Yes

No

In 2001 how many times did you make changes in your investments, either within or outside an employer-sponsored 401(k) plan?

25 or more

15 to 24

5 to 14

Less than 5

None

Not sure

Over the next six months, will you:

Invest a lot more

Invest somewhat more

Invest somewhat less

Invest a lot less

Not sure

Which of the following comes closest to your opinion about the Enron case?

A totally unique situation that applies only to Enron

An indication that some well-known corporations have begun using questionable accounting practices that got Enron in trouble

Proof that there may be an epidemic of deceptive corporate accounting practices involving well-known companies

Not sure

When you think about the Enron case, do you worry more as:

An investor who is not sure that the information is honest and reliable when you research which companies to invest in

An employee who is not sure your 401(k) plan will provide you with a comfortable, worry-free retirement

Both

Neither

Not sure

Do you favor or oppose making top corporate officials who are found guitly of serious financial fraud liable for criminal prosecution?

Strongly favor

Somewhat favor

Somewhat oppose

Strongly oppose

Not sure

Do you favor or oppose requiring executives to release more timely and accurate information about a company's financial health?

Strongly favor

Somewhat favor

Somewhat oppose

Strongly oppose

Not sure

Do you favor or oppose putting limits on employees' ability to invest in their own company's stock as part of their retirement plans?

Strongly favor

Somewhat favor

Somewhat oppose

Strongly oppose

Not sure

Looking ahead, how will the Enron case affect your actions as an investor in the next six months?

It will not seriously affect my investment actions

It will make me much more cautious before making an investment in a particular company

It will make me reluctant to invest any more money in any stocks until I get a better understanding of the extent of the problem

It will make me or has made me sell some stocks

Not sure