Despite the ongoing sluggishness in the nation's economy, investors remain confident in publicly traded companies, that, according to the 5th annual "Main Street Investor" Survey.

The poll, released in conjunction with the Center for Audit Quality and the Investor Confidence Forum, showed that seven in 10 of those surveyed have retained at least some confidence in investing in public companies.

The CAQ said that while that number represents a decline of 5 percentage points from the 2010 poll, it shows that a solid majority of American investors continue to express confidence in the public markets.

Investor confidence in U.S. capital markets dropped as well, at 61 percent, down from 68 percent in 2010.

The survey’s other findings include:

•    Confidence in capital markets outside the U.S. remains low; only 43 percent of investors have confidence in markets outside domestic borders;

•    Confidence in audited financial information remained steady, declining 1 percentage point from 2010 (70 percent to 69 percent);

•    Public company auditors, along with financial advisors and brokers and audit committees of publicly traded companies, top the list of entities investors believe are looking out for investors’ interests.

The top two financial concerns for investors are not having enough money for retirement and not being able to afford health care if they or a family member are seriously ill or injured.
The CAQ has conducted the yearly survey of U.S. investors since 2007.