• Global survey of 2,100 investors sheds light on high net-worth, mass affluent behavior amid downturn
• 68 percent of survey recipients believe risk of further drop in asset prices too high to take advantage of investment opportunities
• Results reflected that almost 50 percent will spend more time selecting investments; due diligence of providers is main priority
• Survey indicates a retreat to familiar and simple asset classes favoring real estate, government bonds, cash

A report published today by Barclays Wealth, a leading global wealth manager, entitled “New Horizon, New Behavior,” reveals a window into how wealthy investors’ behavior has evolved since the start of the global recession. The study, conducted for Barclays Wealth by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), polled 2,100 high net-worth individuals globally in April and May. This is the ninth report in the Barclays Wealth Insights series.

For now, wealthy investors surveyed indicate they have little inclination to take on any added risk, even when they recognize that significant investment opportunities may exist in the current environment, specifically:

• 88 percent of wealthy investors surveyed said that opportunities exist in the current market
• 68 percent of these wealthy investors (UAE, 71 percent; India, 69 percent; US, 63 percent; UK, 55 percent) may be shying away from market opportunities because they believe the risk of further price falls is too high
• Of those surveyed, UK investors (37 percent) are most likely to increase the level of risk in their portfolios, followed by individuals in the UAE (36 percent) and Hong Kong (33 percent). Investors in Spain and India (13 percent and 16 percent, respectively) are the least likely to assume more risk

“The challenges presented by this economic upheaval have left many wealthy investors in untested, thorny territory,” said Aaron Gurwitz, Head of Global Investment Strategy for Barclays Wealth.