Centimillionaires, individuals with a total net worth surpassing $100 million, represent a minuscule fraction of the global population, standing at around 28,420 individuals. This exclusive group is primarily concentrated in major financial hubs such as New York City, the Bay Area, Los Angeles, London, and Beijing. According to Kevin Teng, CEO of WRISE Wealth Management Singapore, these cities offer robust financial infrastructures, vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystems, and lucrative real estate markets, making them desirable destinations for the ultra-wealthy.
Contrary to the typical investment strategies of average investors, centimillionaires are highly selective when it comes to allocating their capital. Salvatore Buscemi, CEO of Dandrew Partners, a private family investment office, emphasized that these ultra-wealthy individuals do not engage in high-risk, speculative investments or participate in traditional investment avenues such as publicly traded equities or cryptocurrencies. Instead, they prioritize preserving their wealth and legacy through stable and tangible assets such as high-quality real estate properties.
Centimillionaire portfolios often consist of “trophy asset” Class A real estate properties, which are characterized by their premium quality and recent construction. These individuals typically allocate a significant portion of their wealth, approximately 27%, to real estate investments. Michael Sonnenfeldt, founder and chairman of Tiger 21, a network of ultra-high net worth entrepreneurs and investors, highlighted the importance of real estate in wealth preservation strategies adopted by centimillionaires.
Due to the complexity and scale of their financial affairs, centimillionaires often entrust their wealth management to single-family offices. These specialized entities oversee various aspects of their clients’ finances, including inheritance planning, household expenses, and charitable contributions. Andrew Amoils, an analyst at New World Wealth, noted the rise in the number of family offices worldwide, with over 4,500 such entities managing an estimated $6 trillion in assets. Additionally, centimillionaires are increasingly exploring alternative investment opportunities, such as private credit, venture capital, and real assets, to diversify their portfolios and enhance yield generation.
Beyond traditional investment avenues, centimillionaires often display interest in owning stakes in professional sports teams as a means of social validation and exclusivity. Salvatore Buscemi highlighted the appeal of such investments, emphasizing the status associated with owning a sports franchise. The acquisition of a sports team is regarded as a symbol of prestige among the ultra-wealthy, granting them access to an elite circle of individuals who share similar financial standings.
Kevin Teng of WRISE Wealth Management Singapore emphasized centimillionaires’ growing interest in non-traditional asset classes such as fixed income, private credit, and alternative investments. Private credit, in particular, has gained traction among investors seeking alternative sources of yield amid conventional market uncertainties. Teng noted that this trend signifies a shift towards unique risk-return profiles offered by alternative investments, encompassing venture capital, private equity, and real assets.
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