Affluence Redefined: UBS Investor Watch Report Finds Most Millionaires Do Not Consider Themselves We
Affluence Redefined: UBS Investor Watch Report Finds Most Millionaires Do Not Consider Themselves Wealthy
4 out of 5 investors provide financial support for adult children or aging parents, with 1 out of 5 sharing a home
Investors more aggressive with investments because they hold 20% in cash
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- UBS Wealth Management Americas (WMA) today released its fourth UBS Investor Watch revealing wealth is defined as being able to live one's life with no financial constraints, rather than reaching a specific asset level. That said, investors feel that it would take at least $5 million to be considered wealthy.
UBS Investor Watch 3Q 2013
In addition, of those who have adult children, 80% are providing financial support for adult children, grandchildren or aging parents. This support ranges from funding education (42%), sharing their home (18%), helping them borrow (20%) and paying for large purchases (18%).
A cash cushion of more than 20% goes beyond providing cash for emergency needs and seems to give investors permission to invest other assets more aggressively. This level of cash has been consistent for three years, despite significant equity market gains during that time.
"Investorsare telling us that wealth isn't just about money. It's about being able to do what you want to do when you want to do it," says Emily Pachuta, Head of Investor Insights, UBS Wealth Management Americas. "If you ask, 'what is wealthy?' we observe that it's about having no financial constraints, holding a lot of cash, taking care of family."
UBS Investor Watch is a quarterly publication analyzing the latest in investor sentiment and behavior. Dedicated to generating insights that help UBS Financial Advisors deliver exceptionally for their clients, UBSInvestor Watch is the industry's definitive guide to what's on investors' minds right now. www.ubs.com/investorwatch
Highlights from the July 2013Investor Watchinclude:
What is wealthy: The survey of high net worth (HNW) and affluent investors found that nearly 70% of investors with more than $1 million in investable assets do not consider themselves wealthy. Investors define wealth as having no financial constraints (50%), as opposed to never having to work again (10%) or being able to afford a luxurious lifestyle (9%). Investors feel that it would take at least $5 million in personal wealth for them to be considered wealthy.
Providing financial help for adult children and enjoying it: While the ability to afford healthcare and long-term care remains the top personal concern (27%) for investors, their children's and grandchildren's financial situations rank second (20%), trumping the ability to afford retirement (14%) and the potential to outlive one's assets (14%).
The survey found that investors most enjoy financially helping their grandchildren (82%), followed by their adult children (76%) and their parents (59%). Two-thirds of investors with adult children ages 18-39 currently financially support their children. Thirty-six percent pay for minor expenses (e.g., clothes, phone bill), 31% fund/help fund their education, 17% pay for larger purchases and 16% provide a home (and this is generally at least in part financial necessity).
Cash is still king: Investors continue to hold high levels of cash (23%), and with large cash holdings use them as a way to reduce their overall risk level. Investors find it important to have cash because they know they are extremely unlikely to lose it and generally find peace of mind in holding a lot of cash.
"Investors are using significant cash holdings as a type of 'security blanket' to give themselves peace of mind, but also to allow them to feel comfortable getting out there and participating in the market again," says Pachuta. "This has translated to a greater confidence - and faith - in the economy over the long term despite investors' expectations of continued market volatility in the near term."
Redefining the "comprehensive financial plan": Investors are more confident when financial plans are dedicated to long-term healthcare expenses and to providing financial support across multiple generations. When a financial plan includes these two elements, confidence skyrockets to 85%, compared to 57% with a more traditional financial plan.
Investors control risk by bucketing money: Investor Watch found that 80% of investors think about their assets as different buckets, with varying risk/return profiles, based on their expected use (e.g., savings, necessary purchases and recreational spending).
Feeling on the Fed: Investors see the Fed ending stimulus as positive for the long term. More than half (51%) expect this change to have a negative short-term impact on the economy but will stabilize the economy in the long run. The majority of investors (59%) are not changing their investment strategy as a result of the Fed announcement.
Other key findings
67% of investors believe the economy is strengthening and 60% say their long-term economic outlook is bright.
56% of investors find the idea of a 5% constant return highly appealing for the next 12 months. A smaller but still significant portion (40%) find this highly appealing for the next 10 years, indicating long-term return expectations remain higher than 5%.
Long-term care planning; only 33% are highly prepared and 36% are not prepared.
We invite you to read the full report.
Notes to Editors
About UBS Wealth Management Americas
UBS Wealth Management Americas provides advice-based relationships through financial advisors who deliver a fully integrated set of products and services specifically designed to address the needs of ultra-high net worth, high net worth and core affluent individuals and families. It includes the Wealth Management U.S. business, the domestic Canadian business and the international business booked in the United States.
About UBS
UBS draws on its 150-year heritage to serve private, institutional and corporate clients worldwide, as well as retail clients in Switzerland. Its business strategy is centered on its pre-eminent global wealth management businesses and its universal bank in Switzerland. Together with a client-focused Investment Bank and a strong, well-diversified Global Asset Management business, UBS will drive further growth and expand its premier wealth management franchise.
UBS is present in all major financial centers worldwide. It has offices in 57 countries, with about 35% of its employees working in the Americas, 36% in Switzerland, 17% in the rest of Europe, the Middle East and Africa and 12% in Asia Pacific. UBS employs about 65,000 people around the world. Its shares are listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).
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