BlackRock, along with the private research firm Cicero, surveyed approximately 17,600 investors from 12 countries to try to gauge the pulse of the investment community. From this initial survey, BlackRock polled 4,000 investors and 500 financial professionals to analyze the U.S. investment community. Their survey concluded several themes, including: investors’ concern about their financial futures; more reluctance to invest and wish to preserve cash; a knowledge gap when it comes to evaluating opportunities to generate income; tightness on household income; and widespread fears about meeting retirement goals.