Which Asset Pillar Will You Focus On Next Year?

Survey Insights: Where Investors Are Allocating in the Year Ahead

The study uncovers a broad range of investor interests—from exploring new avenues to deepening allocations in established asset classes.

Topline View: Caution and Exploration Lead the Way

Across all respondents, the leading sentiment is exploratory: 35% indicated they are “not sure yet, just exploring.” This significant portion suggests a level of uncertainty or openness to learning, especially in a volatile or evolving investment environment.

Following closely are Real Assets (22%) and Privately Held Cash-Flowing Businesses (22%), both pointing to a strong interest in tangible and income-generating assets. Credit Strategies (21%) trails slightly behind, reflecting a relatively balanced spread of interest across the asset types.

Seniority-Level Breakdown: Clarity Increases with Experience

Director-Level: Exploring with a Lean Toward Business Assets

Among Director-level professionals, 33% are still in the exploratory phase, but there's also a noticeable interest in Privately Held Cash-Flowing Businesses (24%) and Real Assets (23%). These professionals show slightly less interest in Credit Strategies (20%) than the overall average.

Leadership / Head-Level: A Cautious Approach

A striking 50% of leadership-level respondents are not ready to commit to a specific asset class, the highest of any group. Only 11% showed interest in Real Assets—significantly below the all-respondent average. This group appears to be taking a more cautious or strategic stance, possibly awaiting further market clarity.

Product / Tech / Engineering: Balanced Diversification

Respondents in Product, Tech, and Engineering roles display one of the most balanced spreads across the categories. 33% remain undecided, while 25% show interest in both Credit Strategies and Real Assets. This even distribution may reflect a diversified mindset or a hybrid investment strategy.

VP-Level: Bold and Decisive

Vice Presidents stand out for their decisive investment focus. Only 38% are still exploring—lower than the Leadership group—and an impressive 38% are prioritizing Real Assets, the highest among all roles. Their elevated interest in Real Assets and Credit Strategies (25%) points to a strategic shift toward inflation-hedged and income-generating instruments.

Key Takeaways

• Uncertainty Reigns: Across all levels, a sizable portion of respondents are still evaluating their options, highlighting a potential opportunity for education or advisory services.
  

• Rising Interest in Real Assets: Particularly among VP-level investors, Real Assets are emerging as a favored pillar.
  

• Leadership Hesitation: Senior leaders are taking a wait-and-see approach, potentially signaling broader caution at the top.
  

• Diverse Preferences by Function: Roles outside of finance—like Product and Engineering—show balanced interests, suggesting broader democratization of investment decision-making.

Final Thoughts

The results of our survey show clear momentum toward income-generating and resilient assets—with privately held businesses and real assets leading the charge. Executives and senior leaders are actively diversifying into credit and ownership models, while a sizable portion of the audience remains curious but cautious.

At BuildWealth, we believe these three asset pillars—cash flow, appreciation, and resilience—are essential to building long-term financial strength. As always, we’ll continue sharing insights to help our readers confidently navigate their wealth journey in the year ahead.