Investors seek 8.2% returns but raise cash holdings: survey

Singapore

SINGAPORE investors expect average investment returns of 8.2 per cent in 2015, but they risk disappointment as they continue to hold high levels of cash, a survey by Manulife has found.

Although investors expect equities to be the top performing asset class, they also say they will "invest" more in cash than in any other asset in the next six months. The findings are part of the latest Manulife Investor Sentiment Index.

Nine out of 10 respondents said they held cash as an investment, and the proportion in cash has climbed steadily in recent quarters. The allocation to cash averages 36 per cent of the total asset allocation, excluding their home. This is equivalent to 46 months of incom…