In the UAE, just under a quarter of investors said they would invest based on professional financial advice in 2015, with 44% planning to invest on their own, based on reactions to market conditions.
In Hong Kong, only 16% of investors said they would seek professional investment advice, despite HK being one of nine Asian markets surveyed to expect a single-digit return during 2015.
Despite 88% of the respondents in the region achieving an average investment return of just 7% last year, 80% said they would continue to rely on their own judgment to make investment decisions.
Global perspective
Grace Ho, head of marketing, Asia, Schroders, said: “Those planning to go at it alone may be too focused on their home region or the asset classes they are most familiar with. They are not maximising their investment capital, and at the same time exposing themselves to unnecessary risk.
“Professional advice can give investors a global perspective, to help them achieve their investment target and provide sustainable income.”
The survey showed 67% of investors living in the UAE felt the Middle East could deliver the best returns globally in the next year, higher than any other country’s view of the region.
However, 90% expected to make a profit in the next 12 months, compared with 93% of Asian investors and 91% globally.
