Investor Optimism Falls to Lowest in Two Years

The stock market’s slide this month pushed an index of investor optimism to the lowest level in nearly two years, brokerage UBS and the Gallup Organization said Monday.

The index, calculated from the firms’ monthly survey of U.S. individual investors, fell to 52, down from 74 in March. It was the lowest reading since May 2003, when the index hit 42.

UBS said 57% of the 802 investors included in the latest survey said now was a good time to invest in financial markets, down from 60% in March and 64% in December. The survey was conducted between April 1 and 17.