The potential of an economic recession was named as the top concern by wealthy individuals in Asia Pacific, according to a study by Lombard Odier, though this group remains broadly confident about their investment goals.
More than half of high-net-worth individuals (HNWI) in Asia Pacific (53.5%) cited an economic recession as their most significant worry in the next three years, according to Lombard Odier’s 2026 APAC HNWIs Study. Other top worries include an equity market correction or crash (48.1%), a trade war (41.2%), and higher inflation (39.6%).
“For APAC’s HNW investors, uncertainty is no longer a passing phase – it is something to plan for over the long-term,” said Omar Shokur, Lombard Odier’s regional head of private clients, Asia, in a statement.
Confidence without a plan
While the report noted that APAC’s HNWIs remain confident about their investment goals in such an uncertain environment, many portfolios are not strategically constructed with just 21.5 percent of those polled having a comprehensive asset allocation strategy in place.
“Volatility and structural change are part of today’s investment landscape. In this environment, disciplined asset allocation, diversification and active monitoring are essential to long-term resilience,” added John Woods, chief investment officer and head of investment solutions, Asia, Lombard Odier.
Increasing diversification was the underlined as the most important reason for making changes to asset holdings in the next 12 months, as agreed by 50.4% of respondents, with the greatest interest in cash and highly liquid assets, listed equities, and private and non-listed companies.
Lombard Odier’s report, which is now in its fifth edition was based on insights from more than 390 HNWIs across the Geneva-headquartered bank’s nine key markets in APAC.
