High-Net-Worth Individuals Said To Become More Aggressive

High-net-worth individuals want asset managers and investment advisers to shift their focus from wealth preservation to wealth creation while maintaining present service levels, according to a new report by Arthur Andersen of Chicago.

The report is based on a survey of 216 high-net-worth individuals and 248 asset managers worldwide from July to October 2000. The report defines high-net-worth individuals as those with $1 million or more in investable assets. Continued global prosperity, historically high stock market valuations in the U.S. and Europe, and opportunities created by the new economy have increased the number of high-net-worth individuals to as many as 10 million worldwide (five million of them in the U.S.) These 10 million people control $25.5 trillion in assets.

Such individuals want to expand their investments in new products and opportunities and have an increased appetite for risk, according to the report.

"Tolerance for risk and demand for value-added services among high-net-worth investors is growing, as competition among asset managers intensifies globally," said John Tesoro, a partner in the asset management practice for North America of Arthur Andersen. "[High-net-worth individuals] are migrating to pooled investments, such as hedge funds, which offer higher returns than traditional investments."

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