Asian investors turn to housing, real assets as global tension shakes market confidence
Amid various macro uncertainties, interest in private credit declined sharply to 48 per cent from 71 – among alternative investments – while interest in real estate jumped to 52 from 39 per cent, according to the 2026 Asia Advisor Survey released today by financial technology company iCapital. This marks a 23 per cent decline for private credit, which was the leading area of interest among Asian…
Asian investors are increasingly turning to housing and other real assets as global markets become more uncertain, according to new survey data released by iCapital. Interest in private credit has plunged by 23 per cent, while real estate has seen a 50 per cent increase in interest. Real assets, in general, are also gaining popularity, with interest nearly doubling to 31 per cent.
This shift is attributed to concerns over geopolitical disruption, energy security, and inflation resilience, as investors look for tangible assets to protect their portfolios. The report surveyed 62 professionals in Hong Kong and Singapore, representing a client base of at least 50 per cent individuals and families. Despite a decline in confidence in local, US, and global economies, 28 per cent of advisers plan to increase their allocation to alternative investments over the next year, indicating a move towards treating alternatives as long-term portfolio allocations rather than short-term reactions to market conditions.
However, alternatives remain uncommon among clients, with only a small minority of clients currently holding alternative investments. Compliance and regulatory concerns have emerged as the fastest-growing challenge in integrating alternatives into investment models, cited by 59 per cent of respondents.
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