Politics permeates everything this year, including views on international investing, and there are definite differences in attitudes between those who describe themselves as liberals and those who consider themselves conservatives, says a survey by Spectrem Group.
A large number from both ends of the political spectrum see international markets as having much greater potential for growth than domestic investments, with 47% of liberals and 36% of conservatives holding that view. The percentages almost reverse themselves when those surveyed were asked if international investments hold a much greater risk than domestic investments-47% of conservatives see a high potential for risk versus 30% of liberals.
More liberals (69%) than conservatives (50%) feel it is important to invest in countries with no human rights violations. But overall, 30% saw China as the top international investing opportunity despite its continued human rights problems. Europe placed second at 20%, followed by Japan at 12% and India at 11%.
Of those who don't currently have international investments, 12% of liberals say they are likely to invest internationally, while only 2% of conservatives say that is likely.
The data comes from two surveys: one of 250 households with $500,000 or more in investable assets; the second of more than 2,400 households with a net worth of $1 million to $5 million.