HSBC Securities (USA) Inc.

07/30/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 07/30/2026 20:07

Affluent investors hit cash inflection point as gold takes bigger role in portfolios, finds HSBC -commissioned survey

30 July 2026

Affluent investors hit cash inflection point as gold takes bigger role in portfolios, finds HSBC -commissioned survey


Download HSBC's Global Affluent Investor Snapshot 2026 (53-pages PDF 3.96MB)

  • Cash allocations almost halved from 33 per cent in 2024 to 19 per cent in 2026. However, 9 in 10 investors said they plan to maintain or increase cash allocations this year.
  • Investment preferences for 2026: stocks for growth, with gold, alternatives and bonds as key Diversifiers.

Global affluent and high net worth investors set their long -term positioning at the start of 2026 with a clear diversification agenda: stay invested for growth through stocks while building resilience with cash -like instruments, bonds, gold and alternative s to help mitigate market volatility. This is according to the latest HSBC Affluent Investor Snapshot, an HSBC -commissioned survey which polled close to 10,000 affluent and high net worth individuals in January 2026 across ten markets, capturing portfolio positioning and future investment intentions.

The survey showed many affluent investors have reached a turning point in their approach to cash. Having almost halved cash holdings on average since 2024, nine in ten investors said they plan to maintain or grow their cash holdings this year.

It also shows wealthy investors taking a more sophisticated approach to diversification, with preferences diverging by generation and market. Younger investors surveyed said they tend to favour gold and alternatives as diversifiers, whereas older investors placed greater emphasis on liquidity and income alongside growth strategies.

Portfolio positioning: equities core as gold and alternatives gain ground

According to the poll, gold is increasingly viewed as a popular allocation rather than a selective hedge, with 52 per cent planning to ramp up investments in the metal in 2026. Interest is lower among Baby Boomers (43 per cent) than Gen Z, Millennials and Gen X (averaging 54 per cent). Regionally, gold is more popular in Asia and the Middle East (62 per cent) than in the UK, US and Mexico (averaging 38 per cent).

Stocks remain the portfolio anchor, with 66 per cent of respondents intending to hold equities for growth in 2026 across generations globally.

Four in 10 affluent investors said they intend to invest in alternative assets in 2026, with Gen Z investors leading this trend (53 per cent). Bonds (43 per cent) and cash -like instruments ( 26 percent) were also popular diversifiers, as investors seek resilience.

International diversification gains traction

International diversification is increasingly part of the core playbook, with nearly half of respondents (47 per cent) indicating a preference for adding non -local investment exposure. However, only one -third (34 per cent) of investors surveyed in the US a nd mainland China in January said they are considering investment abroad.

Lavanya Chari, Head of Wealth and Premier Solutions, HSBC, said: " As the global landscape evolves, the survey shows that investors now view the volatility and uncertainty seen over the last year as the new normal. Portfolio construction is becoming more intentional, with greater diversification and a wider search for opportunities beyond home markets to position for both resilience and long -term growth.

"This year's Affluent Investor Snapshot reflects this shift towards more globally diversified portfolios, a theme that has featured strongly in conversations at the HSBC Global Investment Summit."

Media enquiries

Jeremy Cheung +852 6131 6315 [email protected] Winnie Pang +852 2974 2344 [email protected]

Disclaimer

This document provides a high -level overview of aggregate survey findings relating to investment preferences and economic environment as stated in the methodology statement and has been prepared for information purposes only. Some of the survey results or statements contained in this document may be considered forward looking statements which provide current expectations or forecasts of future events. Such forward looking statements are not guarantees of future performance or events and involve risks and uncertainties. This document is not intended to provide and should not be relied on for accounting, legal, tax or investment advice.

Notes to Editors

  1. Respondents could select multiple savings or investment products that they are currently invested in or plan to invest in the next 12 months. As a result, the percentages shown reflect their current holding or future investment intention, not the proportio n of assets allocated within a portfolio.
  2. Respondents could select multiple markets or regions when asked about their preference for investment exposure outside their home market. Not all percentages add up to 100 per cent.

About the HSBC Affluent Investor Snapshot
The findings are based on research conducted by Ipsos Asia Limited on behalf of HSBC among 9,993 investors aged 21 -69. Respondents include affluent investors (with minimum investable assets of USD100,000) and high net worth investors (with minimum investab le assets of USD2 million). The online research was conducted from 6 January to 6 February 2026 across 10 markets, including mainland China, Hong Kong, India, Malaysia, Mexico, Singapore, Taiwan, the UAE, the UK and the US.

About HSBC
HSBC Holdings plc, the parent company of HSBC, is headquartered in London. HSBC serves customers worldwide from offices in 56 countries and territories. With assets of US$3,306bn at 31 March 2026, HSBC is one of the world's largest banking and financial services organisations.

HSBC Bank USA, National Association (HSBC Bank USA, N.A.) serves customers through International Wealth and Premier Banking (IWPB) and Corporate and Institutional Banking (CIB). Deposit products are offered by HSBC Bank USA, N.A., Member FDIC. It operates Wealth Centers in: California; Washington, D.C.; Florida; New Jersey; New York; Virginia; and Washington. HSBC Bank USA, N.A. is the principal subsidiary of HSBC USA Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of HSBC North America Holdings Inc.

For more information, visit: HSBC in the USA

HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. published this content on July 30, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on July 31, 2026 at 02:07 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]