62% HNI women favour listed equities over gold investments: Survey

Women residing in tier-1 cities have shown a preference for investing in listed equities over gold, gold jewellery, or real estate, according to a recent survey titled "Women of Wealth," conducted by HERitage by Waterfield Advisors.

The survey, which gathered insights from 104 High Net Worth Indian (HNI) women on their investment and wealth management practices, highlighted several key findings.

It revealed that 95% of the respondents expressed interest in investing in at least one asset class. Among them, 61.9% favoured investing in listed equities, surpassing the preferences for gold (54.3%) and real estate (41%). Interestingly, women also showed a significant interest in alternative investments like debt funds, which garnered a preference from 35% of the respondents.

Furthermore, the survey disclosed that 41% of the surveyed women identified themselves as level 1 investors. Level 1 investors are characterised by having a comprehensive grasp of investments, actively setting long-term goals, and reassessing their current wealth management relationships.

Additionally, 58% of the respondents identified themselves as risk-averse investors, less than 47% of the respondents are strongly involved in family’s investment decisions and 42% of homemakers are not involved at all. Notably, a significant portion of self-employed professionals (65%), entrepreneurs (50%), and corporate professionals (53%) expressed dissatisfaction with their current wealth managers.

The survey further showed that satisfaction levels among women with their existing wealth management partners are moderate, with an average rating of 5.9, and only 6.2% feel extremely satisfied.

The survey also highlighted the strong belief among more than 80% of the respondents regarding the necessity for dedicated wealth management services tailored specifically for women in India. The survey participants included 104 Indian women residing in tier-1 cities with a net worth exceeding ₹10 crores, aged between 22 to 60 years, and representing various professions such as corporate salaried professionals, entrepreneurs, self-employed professionals, and homemakers.

Nita Shivdasani, managing director & head of HERitage at Waterfield Advisors says, "The journey of financial enlightenment and empowerment for women diverges significantly from that of men, driven by distinct needs, risk profiles, and societal roles. Our survey findings echo the collective voice of affluent Indian women for a paradigm shift in how wealth management services are conceptualised and delivered, advocating for strategies that are more aligned with their distinct financial goals, risk appetites, and life stages."