Even as global markets entered a quieter summerstretch, individual investors in France stayed active. The third quarter of2025 showed strong participation in both equities and exchange-traded funds(ETFs), confirming the resilience of retail engagement despite marketvolatility and seasonal slowdowns.Join IG, CMC, and Robinhood in London’s leading trading industry event!Equity Investors Hold Their GroundAccording to the French regulator, AMF, Between July and September 2025, around 780,000individuals bought or sold shares listed in the European Union throughinvestment service providers based in France. That figure marks an 18% increasecompared to the same period last year and represents the highest third-quarterlevel in four years.In total, retail investors executed 10.9 million stocktransactions, maintaining a pace unseen since 2021. The data also revealed59,000 new equity investors during the quarter, either newcomers or individualsreturning to the market after years of inactivity. Despite a broader shift toward diversifiedinstruments, traditional equities continue to attract long-term retailinterest.ETF Participation Keeps RisingWhile share trading remains strong, ETFs continue toexpand their appeal among French retail investors. In Q3 2025, 400,000individuals traded ETFs, representing a sharp 45% year-on-year increase.Of these, 359,000 acted as buyers, confirming agrowing appetite for diversified, lower-cost investment vehicles. The quarteralso saw 79,000 new ETF investors, surpassing the number of new equityinvestors for the fourth consecutive quarter—a sign that ETFs are becoming theentry point for a new generation of market participants.Transaction volumes tell a similar story: 1.7 millionETF trades were recorded in Q3, up 30% from last year. Although activity easedcompared to the previous quarter, the cumulative number of ETF trades in 2025reached an all-time high.Strong Momentum Despite Seasonal DipThe report highlights that while ETF activity dipped6% from Q2, participation remains historically elevated. Cumulative transactiondata for both equities and ETFs already exceeds totals from 2022, 2023, and2024.The rise of ETFs marks a broader change in howindividuals approach the markets. With lower barriers to entry and increasingawareness of passive investing, ETFs are now attracting more first-timeinvestors than traditional shares.As 2025 progresses, analysts will watch whether thistrend continues into year-end trading—a period that often tests investorsentiment amid monetary policy shifts and macroeconomic uncertainty.This article was written by Jared Kirui at www.financemagnates.com.