Looking To The Upside

According to the recent Wall Street Journal Intelligence's Consumer Confidence and Economic Monitor survey, affluent Americans feel better about their financial situations. Fifty-three percent of respondents with more than $5 million in investable assets said they are better off today, while 38% of those with assets below $5 million said the same. About 40% of both groups reported they expect to be better off financially one year from now.

On Stock Investments

Nearly three-quarters (73%) of respondents said it was a good time to invest in stocks, a seven-point increase from the previous survey and the highest percentage since October 2022, when only 50% felt that way. More survey findings: 61% continue to be bullish on stocks (the same percentage as the previous survey), and 47% are bullish on commodities, a significant 10-point increase from before. Wealthier respondents were more likely to be upbeat about international stock investments than less affluent ones.

Passion Investments

The most affluent have more discretionary income to invest in so-called passion investments. They were less interested in buying a second home (a drop of eight points from the previous survey). Other high-net-worth respondents (21%) were looking to buy, which is the same percentage as the last survey.

In contrast, the percentages more likely to invest in jewelry held strong over time at 28% (most affluent) and 17%. Respondents reported they were more likely to invest in art and collectibles, which grew to 27% from 23% for the most affluent and 20% from 18% for other respondents.

Investing in Charity

The survey also found that 41% of wealthier respondents were more likely to support charitable events such as galas and dinners (although that figure is down two points from the last survey) and to direct their philanthropic giving through donor-advised funds (down six points from the last poll). Other respondents were slightly more likely to donate directly to a nonprofit (91% compared to 90% for the wealthier segment), a switch from the previous year when 93% of wealthier readers donated directly compared to 90% of those with fewer assets.