Investors think globally, invest locally

Although just 38% of consumers think the U.S. will be the world leader in the next ten years, few plan on investing internationally, according to a Schroders Individual Investor Survey. Forty-five percent of U.S. investors see China as the global economic superpower in the next 10 years. Despite this view, only 13% of Americans currently invest in international stocks and only 19% plan to invest in international equities over the next five years. The report found that only 10% of those with an income under $25,000 say they plan to invest in international stocks, while 38% with incomes over $75,000 say they plan to do the same. When comparing demographic groups, men are 50% more likely to invest in international equities than women, indicating a higher risk tolerance among male investors, the report said. The report was conducted among a sample of 1,000 American investors by telephone between May 31 and June 4. London-based Schroders PLC manages $259 billion in assets.