Investors Step Back from Aggressive Returns: 10–12% Becomes the New Norm 

The past years in financial markets have reminded investors of a rollercoaster ride – rapid stock gains followed by sudden drops, bond markets affected by interest rate fluctuations, and geopolitical tensions increasing uncertainty. This environment has left a mark on Lithuanian investors’ expectations.

The latest survey by the investing and financing platform SAVY shows that investors are becoming more cautious: the segment expecting 10–12% annual returns is growing the most, while more aggressive return expectations are declining. 

At the beginning of last year, 34.6% of respondents expected 10–12% returns, whereas this year the share has risen to 42%. Meanwhile, the share of those targeting 12–15% returns decreased from 35.1% to 26%, and the 15–20% return expectation also fell from 11.5% to 8%. The highest return expectations are still more common among extreme income groups – both the lowest and highest earners. Overall, however, the trend shows a shift from aggressive “chasing returns” toward a more balanced, rational approach. 

“We see that investors increasingly choose realistic, risk-adjusted return expectations. The higher the expected return, the greater the risk taken, so the 10–12% range becomes a rational balance between stability and attractive returns for many,” says Audra Kondrotė, Head of Investor Relations at SAVY. 

Consistency Despite Market Fluctuations 

Cautious expectations in the market do not stop investors – on the contrary, 9 out of 10 plan to maintain or increase their investment volumes. 44% intend to invest more this year, while another 48% will maintain similar investment levels. The share of those increasing investments has been steadily rising for the third consecutive year. 

“Investors are becoming more cautious in assessing return expectations, but at the same time they maintain consistency and increase capital allocated to loans. This shows confidence in this asset class and its ability to withstand market fluctuations and geopolitical tensions,” says A. Kondrotė.

Strengthening Position of the Loan Asset Class 

A balanced investment strategy is reflected in the role of loans within investor portfolios. According to SAVY’s survey, 40.6% of respondents report that peer-to-peer lending investments make up up to 20% of their portfolio. A quarter (25.7%) allocate 20–50% of their investments to loans, and 18% have loans comprising more than 80% of their portfolio. Compared to last year, the share of loans increased across nearly all segments where it exceeds 20%. 

Looking at overall portfolio diversification: 77.7% invest in loans to individuals 41.1% in crowdfunding projects, 35.5% in stocks, 30.4% in ETFs. 

“Since the survey was conducted among SAVY platform investors, it’s natural that loans occupy a significant place in their portfolios. However, the trend shows not just concentration on one platform, but a clear preference for fixed-income instruments alongside other, more volatile asset classes. When stock or cryptocurrency values can fluctuate strongly, loans provide a stabilizing element,” says A. Kondrotė.

Investors Choose a Long-Term Approach 

80% of respondents identify portfolio growth as their main investment goal, while 53% seek stable passive income, such as interest. 27% cite diversification as a priority, with a similar share emphasizing loan quality. According to A. Kondrotė, this indicates that most investors are not engaging in short-term speculation – their decisions are aimed at building a long-term, predictable financial foundation. 

From First Investments to Market Leader 

This year, SAVY celebrates 12 years of operations, and survey data highlights another important trend – 8 out of 10 respondents indicated that this platform was their first peer-to-peer lending experience, underscoring its significant role in shaping awareness of this asset class in Lithuania. 

Additional community research also shows external trust. The Crowdfunding Lietuva study, analyzing public ratings on Trustpilot and Rekvizitai, found that SAVY scored 9.2 and 8.1, respectively, and according to the community survey, the platform ranks among the top three rated in Lithuania. 

“Although such ratings always reflect individual experiences, high and stable scores across sources indicate consistent investor satisfaction and a strong reputation,” notes A. Kondrotė. 

The SAVY survey was conducted in February 2026 with 530 platform investors.