Here's how wealthy Singaporeans invest compared with Hong Kongers and Swiss

Singapore gentlement don't prefer bonds.

LGT Group examines the investment behavior of high net worth individuals in Hong Kong, Singapore and Switzerland.

As a general principle, LGT found that the use of the different forms of investment is very similar in Switzerland and Hong Kong. However, significant differences emerge when these two countries are compared with Singapore.

Here's why:

In Switzerland and Hong Kong almost all those surveyed hold shares, this being the asset class with the greatest frequency. This is followed by funds and bonds with a penetration of approximately 70% and 50% respectively among interviewees in Switzerland and Hong Kong. Some 40% of investors surveyed from both countries stated that they invest in commodities/gold or precious metals.

Derivatives are held by 30% (Switzerland) and 24% (Hong Kong) of the interviewees, and alternative investments (e.g. hedge funds, private equity etc.)are used by some 15% of people surveyed.

Compared with Switzerland and Hong Kong, a statistically significantly lower frequency of shares, bonds, and investment funds is apparent in Singapore. Of particular note is the fact that in Singapore commodities/gold or precious metals is the third most frequent asset class, even ahead of bonds (which is the third most frequent in Switzerland and Hong Kong).

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