Affluent Investor Survey | DBS Treasures Hong Kong

Amid ongoing global economic shifts, uncertain interest rate trends, heightened market volatility and the accelerating adoption of technology and AI, affluent investors are taking a more pragmatic approach to wealth planning — balancing growth, protection and risk diversification while seeking professional insights in a more complex investment landscape.

The DBS Treasures Affluent Investor Survey 2026 explores how affluent investors are diversifying across asset classes and markets, supported by Hong Kong’s international connectivity and professional wealth expertise.

Here is an overview of what the survey uncovered.

Affluent investors expect 8% returns in 2026 while diversifying across global markets and beyond traditional assets

Affluent investors expect 8% returns in 2026 while diversifying across global markets and beyond traditional assets

Affluent investors have recalibrated their outlook while deploying portfolios more selectively across assets and markets

Affluent investors have recalibrated their outlook while deploying portfolios more selectively across assets and markets

Return expectations have moderated but remain positive:
Affluent investors expect average returns of 7.9% in 2026. Chinese Mainland investors expect 8.1%, Hong Kong locals 7.9% and Hong Kong expats 7.2%.
Long-term wealth growth is the core priority:
Long-term wealth growth ranks as the leading investment goal overall cited by 66% of investors, followed by stable passive income at 62% and wealth preservation at 59%.

Affluent investors broaden product holdings while shifting portfolios toward stocks and alternatives

Affluent investors broaden product holdings while shifting portfolios toward stocks and alternatives

Product holdings are becoming more diversified:
Investors now hold an average of 4.5 product types, up from 4.2 in 2025. Chinese Mainland investors saw the strongest increase, rising from 3.9 to 4.5 product types.
Stocks lead and alternatives gain share:
Stocks account for 41% of investment portfolios in the past 12 months, up 1.8 percentage points year-on-year, while alternatives rose to 18%, up 10.3 percentage points.
Future rebalancing intentions vary by market:
Chinese Mainland investors show stronger intention to increase ETFs, virtual assets and gold, while Hong Kong locals continue to favour stocks, commodities and ETFs.

AI and technology, income opportunities and regional market recovery are shaping investment themes, with ETFs and funds emerging as key access tools

AI and technology, income opportunities and regional market recovery are shaping investment themes, with ETFs and funds emerging as key access tools

AI and technology leads investor interest:
AI and technology innovation is the top theme among both Chinese Mainland investors and Hong Kong locals, at 58% each. Chinese Mainland investors also show strong interest in Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong market recovery, while Hong Kong locals place more emphasis on income and yield opportunities.
Beyond individual stocks, ETFs and funds are key access tools:
Investors interested in AI and technology favor ETFs at 31% and investment funds at 27%, while those interested in Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong market recovery prefer funds at 30% and ETFs at 26%.

International investing has become mainstream, making multi-market access a practical wealth management need

International investing has become mainstream, making multi-market access a practical wealth management need

Overseas exposure is now mainstream:
Overall, 72% of affluent investors invest outside their home market.
Investors allocate meaningfully beyond home markets:
Non-home markets account for 38% of total investment allocation.
Future allocation plans point to preferred overseas markets:
51% of Chinese Mainland investors plan to increase allocation to Hong Kong, while 49% of Hong Kong locals plan to increase allocation to the US.

Hong Kong continues to serve as an international wealth hub, supporting wealth management needs, asset allocation and cross-border connectivity

Hong Kong continues to serve as an international wealth hub, supporting wealth management needs, asset allocation and cross-border connectivity

Hong Kong accounts serve key wealth management purposes:
Among Chinese Mainland investors and expats with Hong Kong accounts, the main uses are savings and deposits, wealth management, and purchasing or managing insurance products.
Hong Kong accounts hold a notable share of assets:
Among those with Hong Kong accounts, Chinese Mainland investors allocate 23% of their assets in Hong Kong accounts, while Hong Kong expats allocate 65%.
Hong Kong’s appeal is built on access and confidence:
A wide range of investment products and markets, financial system stability and cross-border banking convenience are among the leading reasons investors choose Hong Kong for banking and wealth management services.

AI is now a mainstream investment research tool, but professional advice remains important for major and complex wealth decisions

AI is now a mainstream investment research tool, but professional advice remains important for major and complex wealth decisions

AI adoption is already widespread:
Three in four affluent investors regularly use AI for investment research and decision-making, led by Hong Kong expats at 91% and Chinese Mainland investors at 88%.
AI helps investors simplify and compare information:
The most common AI uses include explaining investment products in simple terms (39%), summarising market news and key events (38%) and comparing product risks and potential returns (36%).
Human expertise is preferred for higher-stakes decisions:
Investors are more likely to prefer relationship managers or investment consultants when investing a large amount of money, planning for retirement or legacy goals, investing in unfamiliar overseas markets and managing cross-border wealth or multiple currencies.

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Remarks

Between June 23 and July 2 2026, online quantitative interviews were conducted with a total of 1,010 affluent investors from Hong Kong, 507 from the Chinese Mainland and 100 expats in Hong Kong. Each respondent managed liquid assets of HK$1 million or above and was recruited from YouGov’s proprietary panel.

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Investment involves risks. The above information is not and shall not be considered as investment advice. It does not constitute any offer or solicitation of offer to subscribe, transact or redeem any investment product. Past performances are not indicative of future performances. You should carefully read the product offering documentation, the account terms and conditions and the product terms and conditions for detailed product information and risk factors prior to making any investment. If you have any doubt on this material or any product offering documentation, you should seek independent professional advice.