Indian Gen Z Investors Lead in Value-Based Investing, Survey Reveals WhatsApp as Preferred Platform

Global Investor Survey Highlights Key Trends Among Young Investors

A recent survey by the CFA Institute examined the advice usage, asset allocation, decision-making behavior, and expectations from advisers among Gen Z and millennial investors in six major markets, including India, the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Singapore, and the UAE.

Key Findings

• 92% of Gen Z investors use financial advice, compared to 89% of millennial investors.
• 70% of investors who use paid advisers interact with them at least once a month.
• WhatsApp is a primary channel for adviser interaction in India and the UAE, while investors in the US and Canada rely more on email and phone-based communication.
• 48% of young investors hold cryptocurrency, and 49% hold mutual funds, alongside exposure to real estate and alternative investments.
• 55% of young high-net-worth investors have made investment decisions driven by fear of missing out, particularly in emerging asset classes such as cryptocurrency.

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Values-Based Investing

• India records the highest share of values-based investing among surveyed markets at 45%, compared to 41% in the United Kingdom and 35% in the United States.
• Social outcomes influence investment decisions for 31% of Indian respondents, compared to 14% in Singapore.

Adviser Trust and Expectations

• Human advisers remain the most trusted source of investment guidance.
• 86% of young investors want help with budgeting, 84% with insurance, 81% with financial education, and 72% with strategic philanthropy.
• The report identifies five priorities for advisers: holistic financial planning, behavioural coaching, high-frequency digital engagement, integration of artificial intelligence with human advice, and staying current on market trends.

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Wealth Transfer and Adviser Retention

• A global wealth transfer of $83 trillion is projected by 2050.
• Over 95% of Indian respondents expect to receive an inheritance, with 85% expecting it within ten years.
• Only 19% of investors retain their parents' financial adviser, indicating limited intergenerational continuity.