Tuesday 5 October 2010

Now, super rich look at alternative asset classes

CHENNAI: Equities, mutual funds and FDs can longer satiate the super rich. Instead, they are channelling their wealth into start-ups, unlisted companies, realty-focused private equity funds, gold ETFs and art. The burgeoning breed of HNIS, or wealthy people, are exploring and investing in a whole new range of asset classes.

According to a recent report by Karvy Private Wealth, the wealth management arm of the Karvy Group, individual wealth in India stands at Rs 73 lakh crore and this is expected to double to Rs 144 lakh crore within the next three years. While the bulk of investment is still in direct equity (31.1%) and fixed deposits and bonds (30.3%), private bankers said there is a growing preference for alternative investments. Most HNIs have ridden on the mutual fund and equity wave as they went into the market early. They are now looking at different asset avenues, said Nitin Rao, executive vice-president (private banking group and third party products), HDFC Bank.

HNIs are classified as people with an investible surplus of at least $1 million . Over the years, the profile of HNIs has also rapidly undergone a change.
  • Older HNIs largely comprised members drawn from business families. 
  • Today, nearly 45% of private clients are first-generation entrepreneurs or self-employed, 15% comprise professionals, 20% are senior salaried executives, 5% are young celebrities, with property inheritors accounting for remainder.

"We believe that individuals in India are under-invested in alternative assets. We believe this will be a huge area of investments in the next decade. PE, real estate funds, realty investment trusts and global investments are expected to be popular among HNIs," said the Karvy report.

Even with debt and equity, HNIs are exploring options that are offshoots in such classes. "They are looking at investing in unlisted equities, PE funds and in debt," said Rajmohan Krishnan, senior V-P, Kotak Wealth Management.

Read more: Now, super rich look at alternative asset classes - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/Now-super-rich-look-at-alternative-asset-classes/articleshow/6680959.cms#ixzz11R1yExbE

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