Legg Mason Investment Survey When worldwide talk about money, what dominates the conversation? Where do they see opportunity, and where do they see peril? To learn more, Legg Mason surveyed affluent in 20 major financial markets in the Americas, Europe and about current and future opportunities, focusing on those aged between 40-75.
TRENDING NOW around the world are feeling optimistic about the investment outlook and are increasingly eyeing equity in the year ahead. AROUND THE WORLD bullish on equities (%) The Domestic Draw In 2015, focus on domestic stocks increased by expect to increase the share of equities in their portfolio 14% a increase from 2014 OPTIMISTIC OUTLOOK 18% Compared with last year, are: More optimistic about their 81% of feel optimistic about their in 2015 Top investment opportunities in the next 12 months: Domestic equities 41% Domestic bonds 2015-20% 2014-6.8% 2015-7.3% 2014-80% More confident in their ability to retire at the age they want 2014-78% 2015-86% 2015-81% Risk for Additional Return 59% International stocks, gold and other precious metals 2014-49% More confident in their ability to manage their WORTH THE RISK? 77% Less worried about inflation say they are somewhat or very conservative On average, are willing to risk losing 7% of their portfolios to potentially gain an additional 2% in returns Risk tolerance varies widely by geography INTERNATIONAL INVESTMENTS Best opportunities for international 63% of say global uncertainty is a major barrier for investing internationally US 37% 33% Brazilians and Germans are most risk adverse (89% and 84%), while in China are most aggressive (49%) somewhat/very conservative -7% portfolio 89% +2% returns 84% 49% Australia aggressive Three most likely international SOUND ADVICE Nearly all agree advisors Top perceived benefit of working with a financial advisor 55% International share of total portfolios (%) 16% 55% 48% 21% Investment real estate Non-traditional International equities of work with financial advisors 93% 91% Decrease the risk Reduce the stress associated with they feel with investing investing 59% most likely to work with a financial advisor 11% Better investment performance 61% 13% 15% least likely to work with a financial advisor
TRENDING NOW AROUND THE REGION in are open to invest internationally, have a growing appetite for equities and are focusing on China and the US for investment opportunities. MIND THE GAP n expect a lower rate of return on than global and they re getting a lower actual rate of return on average, too. A HAZY OUTLOOK Excluding those in China, n are less optimistic than their global counterparts about their: Average actual rate of return Within, Taiwan see the biggest expectation gap Personal finances National economy in the next 15 years Top concerns for n 6.8% n 7.1% 10.6% Expected vs 7.3% Actual 3.3% 2.6% 2.5% 1.5% 81% 74% n GOING GLOBAL 85% 77% 66% 55% n holding international 26% 24% economic instability Interest in the US Inflation The US is also a market of interest for n, according to 63% 56% 42% Conservative Attitudes A GROWING APPETITE FOR EQUITIES Bullish Outlook for Investment in China China holds the strongest regional appeal, according to The expectation gap might be due to n conservative attitude towards : n plan to increase the proportion of investment assets to equities over the next 12 months, particularly in China 73% of Taiwan 72% of 52% of Singapore but Japan disagrees, with only 18% of citing China as the best market for investment opportunities in the next 12 months China Taiwan Singapore Top benefits n hope to gain by investing internationally Diversify risk across different markets Potential for higher returns than in home markets Greater range of investment choices 66% n who consider themselves somewhat/very conservative but in China are the exception, and by far the most aggressive globally 45% China 60% GOOD ADVICE working with a financial advisor 46% 8% increase in n working with financial advisors compared to last year leads the pack for Financial Advisors 61% of are now working with a financial advisor Taiwan working with a financial advisor almost doubled, increasing from 21% to 40% in one year Top benefits n receive from financial advisors Opportunity for better investment performance Understanding various in portfolio Access to investment opportunities they would not get on their own
TRENDING NOW IN HONG KONG We surveyed 200 with an average US$2.7M in investable assets and an average age of 49. are the most willing to invest internationally and to work with a financial advisor, yet they are less confident about their investment ablity than their peers and have concerns about their home market. MOST OPEN TO INTERNATIONAL INVESTMENTS Average percentage of assets held internationally by 25% 16% 57% More than half of cited increased social unrest as a reason for wanting to invest internationally at the time of the survey Almost half of (46%) ranked their own market the riskiest place to invest Only 11% of global shared this view CAUTIOUS APPROACH TOWARD INVESTMENTS Level of optimism for the next 15 years Somewhat/Very optimistic (%) Personal finances National economy economy 65% 81% Average 52% 66% Average 53% Average Top three concerns that will derail investment progress: 23% economy instability 19% Inflation 17% Increasing market volatility Appetite For Equities and Income-Generating Products 100% 46% of are planning to increase their proportion of equity of have some level of income producing assets 91% of consider investing in income producing assets as extremely important MOST REALISTIC BUT LACK CONFIDENCE 61% HKG has the highest percentage (61%) of working with a financial advisor in the world, notably higher than global average are 17% less confident in their ability to retire at the age they want to compared to their global peers REAL ESTATE REMAINS AN ATTRACTIVE OPTION 71% of believe that the property market is overvalued However. 41% of intend to increase their investment in real estate over the next 12 months
Methodology A quantitative online survey methodology was used to conduct the survey, with a total of 4,208 across 20 markets completing the survey questionnaire. Market Sample Size United States N = 458 Europe (UK, France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, Sweden) (, Singapore, Japan, Taiwan, China, South Korea) Latin America (Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Colombia) N = 1,600 (200 per market) N = 1,150 (150-200 per market) N = 800 (200 per market) Australia N = 200 Respondents had to meet the following screening criteria: Sole or joint decision-maker for household investment decisions. US$200,000+ investable assets (includes investment real estate but not primary residence/vacation property) Age 40-75 Field work for the survey was conducted between November 19, 2014 and December 16, 2014. In each market, samples included roughly equal numbers of respondents for the US$200K-US$999K group and US$1MM+ group; the data was then weighted to be representative of the US$200K-US$999K and US$1MM+ household total investable assets populations. investor figures are composites based on weighted average of country specific findings, weighted by relative incidence of qualified in each country. Note: Because of rounding, percentages may not add up to 100%. figures quoted are based on an average of all surveyed markets. figures quoted are based on average polled results in China,, Taiwan and Singapore. The research was conducted by Northstar Research Partners, an independent global marketing research firm with offices in New York, Toronto and London (www.northstarhub.com). Northstar conducts research across a wide range of industry sectors and is a recognized leader in financial services marketing research. About Legg Mason Legg Mason is a global asset management firm with US$711bn assets under management as of 28 February 2015. The Company provides active asset management in many major investment centers throughout the world. Legg Mason is headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland, and its common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (symbol: LM). www.leggmason.hk Source: Legg Mason Asset Management. This document is for information only and nothing contained herein constitutes investment advice. Investment involves risks. Past performance is not indicative of future performance. All charts, data, opinions, estimates and other information are provided as of the date of this document and may be subject to change without notice. Investment returns are denominated in the Fund s base currency. This document does not constitute an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any units or shares in any fund and the distribution of this document in jurisdictions other than may be restricted. Any person coming into possession of this document should seek advice for details of, and observe such restrictions (if any). This document has not been reviewed by the Securities and Futures Commission. Issuer of this document: Legg Mason Asset Management Limited.