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| Rupert Hoogewerf |
Real estate and stocks might still top the investments of China's rich, alternative investments like art, jewelry, fine wine and watches are gaining ground, according to Rupert Hoogewerf, in a new report of the Hurun Rich list, released this week, writes the Global Times.
Art, jewelry, fine wine and watches are the most popular alternative investments for millionaires in China, defined as individuals with assets of over 6 million yuan ($1 million) in the report.
"The continuing housing control policies and the stock market slump last year have pushed millionaires in China to look for new investment opportunities," said Rupert Hoogewerf, Hurun Report chairman and chief researcher.
The report was based on interviews with 1,219 millionaires in China last year.
China's stock market also remained lukewarm, with the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index rising by just 3.2 percent in 2012 compared to 2011.
Alternative investments could bring satisfaction to investors that property and stocks could not, Hoogewerf noted.
"Buying more houses will not bring investors much emotional gratification. But investing in art, such as a painting by Wu Guanzhong (the late renowned Chinese painter), will bring more satisfaction to individuals and increase their social standing," he said.
But as alternative investments are still new in China and do not necessarily offer a good return, he advised investors to seek help from professional consultants.
China has become the world's leading art market. Total transactions in China's art market surged from 20.4 billion yuan in 2008 to 61.6 billion yuan in 2012, according to data from Chinese art website Artron.
He Ping, a retired millionaire in Shanghai, said he currently invests in bonds and stock futures. "I prefer investments that are less risky and have a more stable return," he told the Global Times Monday.More in The Global Times. Hurun founder Rupert Hoogewerf is a speaker at the China Speakers Bureau. Do you need him at your meeting or conference? Do get in touch or fill in our speakers' request form.
Will China change under the new tenure of president Xi Jinping? The China Weekly Hangout discussed this in earlier this month with China hands +Steve Barru and +Fons Tuinstra.
What has China learned since SARS ten years ago, now a new bout of bird flu is hitting the country? On Thursday 18 April the China Weekly Hangout will discuss the current status of the bird flu and was is happening on the ground with +Harm Kiezebrink, a Beijing resident who assisted the WHO and the Chinese government during SARS. Also sustainability expert +Richard Brubaker of CEIBS (the China Europe International Business School) published this week a paper on the "Lessons from SARS" and promised to attend. Moderation is done by +Fons Tuinstra, president of the China Speakers Bureau. You can see an overview of all hangouts here.
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