Affluent investors across Asia have dramatically reshaped their portfolios, doubling their allocations to alternative investments and gold, according to HSBC’s 2025 Affluent Investor Snapshot. The report, which surveyed 10,797 investors in 12 markets, highlights a notable trend towards diversification, particularly among younger investors who have tripled their allocations to alternative assets over the past year.
The Snapshot reveals that affluent investors have reduced their cash holdings by nearly 40%, opting to put their money to work in more dynamic asset classes. This shift is largely driven by younger generations, with Gen Z and millennials leading the move away from cash. As interest rates fell, these investors reduced their average cash holdings from 31% to 17%.
Gold investments have seen a significant increase, with allocations more than doubling from 5% to 11%. Investors in Indonesia, mainland China, and Malaysia have registered the largest increases in gold allocations. Additionally, nearly half of the affluent investors globally plan to invest in gold in the next year, with a growing interest in tokenised formats.
International investing is also on the rise, with the US remaining a favoured market for overseas investments. Singapore and Hong Kong have emerged as top choices for opening overseas investment accounts. Overall, 40% of affluent investors plan to invest internationally within the next 12 months, with the highest interest in the UAE and Singapore.
Despite global uncertainties, 80% of affluent investors remain confident in achieving their long-term financial goals, with retirement and wealth building as top priorities. The report underscores a strategic shift in investment behaviours, as affluent individuals seek to build and preserve wealth through diversified portfolios.
“`
