Investors are more optimistic about their investment portfolios recovering sooner rather than later, according to a recent Edward Jones survey. But despite double-digit increases in the stock market, two-thirds (67 percent) of Americans say they haven’t recovered losses suffered from market lows a year ago.

On the positive side, the survey found a significant decrease in the number of Americans who think it will take six years or more to recover investment losses, 24 percent in 2009 versus 15 percent in 2010, said Alex Johnston at Edward Jones in Albert Lea. And more Americans are saving for retirement today than a year ago (78 percent vs. 69 percent respectively). In fact, respondents aged 55 to 64 showed the greatest overall increase, with 83 percent currently saving for retirement versus 69 percent in 2009.

The study of 1,000 respondents, conducted by Opinion Research Corporation on behalf of financial services firm Edward Jones, found that 12 percent of Americans say the value of their portfolios has already recovered. In the same survey one year ago, only 4 percent expected savings to be fully restored by 2010.

“In general, investors are more optimistic about their financial futures,” said Alan Skrainka, chief market strategist at Edward Jones.. “The market is clearly showing signs of improvement and investors are feeling better about the amount of time it will take for their portfolios to recover.”

Edward Jones provides financial services for individual investors in the United States and, through its affiliate, in Canada. Every aspect of the firm’s business, from the types of investment options offered to the location of branch offices, is designed to cater to individual investors in the communities in which they live and work. The firm’s 12,000-plus financial advisors work directly with nearly 7 million clients to understand their personal goals — from college savings to retirement — and create long-term investment solutions that emphasize a well-balanced portfolio and a buy-and-hold strategy.