Latest news with #womeninvestors
Argaam
5 days ago
- Business
- Argaam
Diversification with Purpose: Why Women Investors Are Rethinking Their Wealth Strategies
As women continue to expand their presence in the workforce, launch businesses, and take the lead in financial decision-making, the conversation has shifted. The focus is no longer on whether women should invest, but on how they can do so with clarity and long-term purpose. One of the most effective, yet often underused, strategies in this journey is diversification, especially for women navigating longer life expectancy, career breaks, and evolving personal goals. A New Generation of Women Investors More women across the GCC are stepping into financial independence. In Saudi Arabia, nearly 40% of small and medium enterprises in Riyadh are run by women,[1] and countrywide women now lead about 45% of startups.[2] Female labor force participation has risen from around 17% at the start of Vision 2030 to over 35% in Q3 2024, eclipsing earlier targets.[3] This shift goes beyond statistics; it reflects women earning, saving, and making investment decisions at a growing pace. But with greater financial independence comes greater responsibility. Building and protecting wealth across decades, especially in a world of economic shifts and market volatility, requires a thoughtful, well-diversified approach. Why Diversification Matters More for Women Diversification is more than spreading money across different assets. It's about creating a portfolio that can weather different market cycles and life stages, which is something especially important for women, who often face: - Longer life expectancy: On average, women live five years longer than men, according to the World Health Organization.[4] This increased lifespan requires careful financial planning to ensure a comfortable and secure retirement. - Career breaks: According to LinkedIn's 2024 data, women are 43% more likely than men to have taken a career break.[5] Many of these women take breaks for caregiving responsibilities, whether for children or elderly family members, making risk management through diversification even more critical. - Gender pay gap: Despite progress, the gender pay gap persists, leading to significant disparities in earnings and savings over a lifetime. According to the World Economic Forum, it will take 131 years to close the global gender pay gap at the current rate of progress.[6] This gap can impact women's ability to accumulate wealth and secure their financial future. - Multiple life goals: From funding children's education to launching businesses or planning a philanthropic legacy, women juggle varied objectives. A diversified strategy provides flexibility to support these goals over time. Understanding Diversification Beyond the 60/40 Model For decades, traditional portfolios followed the 60/40 model, allocating 60% to public equities and 40% to bonds, as a way to balance risk and return. While this approach provided a foundation for many investors, today's market realities like persistent volatility, inflation pressures, and lower bond yields, have made it less effective on its own. Diversification today means going beyond this conventional mix. It involves building a portfolio that includes a variety of asset classes, such as private equity, private credit, real estate and infrastructure, each serving a distinct role. By allocating across these alternative assets, investors can reduce reliance on any single market or cycle. This helps create a portfolio that is better positioned to weather uncertainty while supporting long-term goals. The Pitfalls of Concentrated Investing Relying predominantly on local equities or real estate may feel secure, but it leaves portfolios vulnerable to market downturns. Global diversification, including private markets and international assets, can provide more stable returns and better risk management over time. Diversification Done Right: The Family Office Approach At The Family Office, our diversification strategy is hands-on and personalized. We help investors, including women building wealth in the GCC, construct international portfolios that go beyond traditional public markets. Our strategies include carefully selected opportunities in: - Private Equity: For long-term capital appreciation through exposure to high-quality, privately held companies. - Private Credit: For steady income with lower correlation to public market fluctuations. - Real estate: For tangible value and a potential hedge against inflation, across global markets. By working closely with each client to define their risk appetite, time horizon, and life goals, we create investment plans that evolve with their needs, not just for the next market cycle, but for generations. Take the First Step Diversification is not about playing it safe. It's about making intentional, data-backed decisions to protect and grow wealth across all chapters of life. Whether you're a professional planning early retirement, a business owner reinvesting profits, or a mother balancing multiple goals, the right strategy starts with clarity and the confidence to make your money work for you. Reach out to The Family Office to discover how a diversified strategy aligns with your aspirations. About The Family Office The Family Office Company B.S.C. (c) in Bahrain and Dubai, its Riyadh-based wealth manager, The Family Office International Investment Company, and its investment advisory firm in Kuwait, The Family Office Investment Advisory Company (Kuwait) K.S.C. (c) are regulated by the Central Bank of Bahrain, the Dubai Financial Services Authority, the Capital Market Authority of Saudi Arabia, and the Capital Markets Authority of Kuwait. Serving hundreds of families and individuals, the firm helps clients achieve their wealth goals through custom-made investment strategies that cater to their unique needs. Disclaimer Certain services and products offered by The Family Office may not be available to investors in certain jurisdictions where they reside. Investors are responsible for ensuring compliance with local laws and regulations before accessing our products or services. The Family Office Company B.S.C. (c) is a Category 1 Investment Firm regulated by the Central Bank of Bahrain. C.R. No. 53871 dated 21/6/2004. Paid Up Capital: US$10,000,000. The Family Office Company B.S.C. (c) only offers products and services to 'accredited investors' as defined by the Central Bank of Bahrain. The Family Office International Investment is a joint stock closed company owned by one person. Paid-up capital SR20 million. CR No. 101060698, Unified National Number 7007701696. Licensed by the Capital Market Authority (no. 17-182-30) to carry out arranging, advisory and managing investments and operating funds, with respect to securities. The Family Office Company B.S.C. (c) (DIFC Branch) is a recognized company in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) under registration number 6567 and regulated by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) as a Category 4 licensee to carry out Arranging and Advising Services. The Family Office Company B.S.C. (c) (DIFC Branch) is not permitted to deal with Retail Clients (as defined in DFSA's Conduct of Business Module). The Family Office Investment Advisory Company (Kuwait) K.S.C. (c), incorporated in 2024, is regulated by the Capital Markets Authority, State of Kuwait and authorized to conduct Investment Advisory and Subscription Agent (license no. AP/2024/0009). Paid-up capital KWD 1,000,000, CR no. 511443.
Times of Oman
21-07-2025
- Business
- Times of Oman
Dubai's Real Estate soars to record transactions of Dh431 billion in H1 2025
Dubai: In the first half of 2025, Dubai's real estate market recorded transactions worth of over Dh431 billion, which is about 26 per cent more than last year's first half, as reported by the Gulf news. This rise is a reflection of the Emirate's continued momentum as a global property investment hub. According to the new data from the Dubai Land Department (DLD), a total of 125,538 real estate transactions were registered between January and June 2025, up 26 per cent from 99,947 deals in H1 2024. Overall, real estate procedures (including sales, leases and other formalities) crossed 1.3 million, indicating a strong and growing investor base. With 30,487 women conducting nearly 35,000 transactions worth Dh73.2 billion, reflecting a significant growth in the role of women in shaping Dubai's property landscape. By nationality, foreign investors led with Dh228.35 billion, followed by Arabs (Dh28.4 billion) and GCC nationals (Dh22.56 billion), underlining Dubai's appeal as a cross-border investment destination. Additionally, with approximately 95,000 investors completing over 118,000 deals in the first half of the year, the value of real estate investments reached Dh326 billion, up 39 per cent from the previous year. Of these, 59,075 were new investors who contributed Dh157 billion, a 40 per cent increase in market value. Remarkably, 45 per cent of new investors were locals, demonstrating continued effectiveness in converting renters into homeowners and enhancing market stability over the long run. On the other note, The UAE's real estate sector maintained its growth momentum throughout 2024 as well, marked by an increase in real estate projects and infrastructure investments, reinforcing its position as a key pillar of the country's economic growth. The vibrant real estate markets across the Emirates underscored the UAE's status as a global hub for property investments and an attractive destination for high-net-worth individuals who play a vital role in stimulating market activity, particularly in luxury real estate.
Forbes
26-06-2025
- Business
- Forbes
From Invisible To Influential—Capturing The Rise Of Female Wealth
Female Wealth The financial influence of women is accelerating—but many firms are still using outdated models to serve them. Financial institutions that take the time to understand and support women investors thoughtfully are gaining both new assets and longer-term relationships. Women in the United States are expected to control an estimated $30 trillion in financial assets by 2030—a major realignment in asset ownership driven by demographic, economic, and social shifts. This transition is not abrupt or surprising. But some of the approaches companies are taking for success in managing female wealth are. To begin, why the rise of female wealth? It's the result of long-term trends--women are living longer, inheriting wealth, participating more in the workforce, and attaining higher levels of education. According to McKinsey in their recent paper 'The Face of Wealth, The Rise of the Female Investor,' from 2018 to 2023, the amount of wealth controlled by women grew by 51%, outpacing the broader growth in financial wealth of 43% over the same period. The opportunity then? Despite this growth, women today still remain less likely than men to work with a financial advisor—53% of female-controlled assets are unmanaged, compared with 45% for men. This difference represents a meaningful opportunity for firms that are able to adapt their approaches to serve female wealth. Understanding the Client, Not Just the Market Many firms still treat women as a niche audience or use superficial gender-based marketing approaches that fail to resonate. Do the ads targeting women investors really have to highlight the color pink? BCG's research highlights a better starting point is understanding how women think about wealth. Their investment decisions often reflect long-term goals tied to family, security, or legacy, rather than short-term investment performance. ESG investing presents another differentiating example: 64% of women consider environmental and social impact in investment choices, compared with 40–50% of men. And when women do invest, despite a tendency toward caution, their performance is often strong. Studies show women tend to earn slightly higher average returns than men, partly due to a longer-term approach and lower trading frequency. Women are also demonstrating increasing confidence in financial decision-making, particularly in younger age groups. For instance, among U.S. women under 50, the share expressing confidence in achieving their financial goals rose from 48% in 2018 to 61% in 2023, according to McKinsey. This growing self-assurance is accompanied by greater willingness to switch providers: 56% of U.S. women aged 25 to 34 report being likely to change banks, compared with just 19% of women over 65. Meanwhile, older women—particularly those over 50—are more inclined to pay a premium for in-person financial advice. This trend likely reflects the rising number of widows and divorcées in that demographic, and their preference for customized solutions. Tailoring Services to an Underserved Segment Client service models must be reshaped for women. Female clients consistently express different preferences than male clients—particularly around communication style, goal orientation, and transparency. Personalized advice, delivered clearly and aligned to values, matters more than chasing top-quartile returns. And a recent paper by Capital Group goes further in highlighting the effectiveness of appealing to a woman's aspirations--like financial freedom—in particular for younger women. Moreover, and not surprisingly, representation in advisory teams matters. Women are more likely to engage when they see diversity and feel that their perspectives are understood. And equipping advisors to have different kinds of financial conversations is critical, including style of communication. Savvy companies know to adapt to women's communication preferences, such as leading with questions rather than directives, and prioritizing phone calls over meetings for check-ins. The most successful firms are also implementing structural changes. Onboarding strategies are being tailored to ensure comprehensive financial goal capture, including planning around life transitions—such as caregiving, widowhood, or entrepreneurship. What happens now The increasing financial influence of women is already reshaping wealth management today. Yet many firms continue to apply outdated assumptions or treat women's needs as peripheral. Such an approach comes with a cost not just in missed business, but in lost relevance for those firms. Financial institutions that take the time to understand and support women investors thoughtfully are gaining both new assets and longer-term relationships. The opportunity is not in making bold claims—an approach most women abhor. It's in doing the basics—better.
Telegraph
07-06-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
Britons are great savers – that's the problem
The British aren't bad savers. But – as a nation – we hold much less of our wealth in investments than our American and European counterparts – limiting potential for long-term returns. The Government recognises this issue and is considering savings limits to cash ISAs, which could encourage investment in shares and other assets, but what about the root causes preventing appetite for investing? Robinhood, alongside Global Counsel, examined the barriers to investing for under-represented groups in the UK. Inclusion is foundational to Robinhood's mission: of our 25 million customers, around half are first-time investors. We're working to match that level of access in the UK – and that starts with listening. Research showed that people approach investing differently, with distinct barriers to investing for women and ethnic minorities. Women are significantly less likely to invest than men, and ethnic minorities invest considerably less than the majority population. When they do, motivations vary, and lack of confidence undermines actual capability. Ethnic minority investors are nearly four times more likely to invest to support elder family members, which may explain why they tend to be more focused on medium-term gains over longer-term, personal retirement goals. They are also twice as likely to hold exchange traded funds (ETFs). Confidence in social media is low for all respondents, yet 44pc of ethnic minority respondents are likely to rely on it for investment advice, versus 14pc for non-ethnic minority population. There is also widespread misunderstanding of the minimum amount of capital required to invest. For relatively accessible investments, like stocks and shares Isas, respondents believed they needed, on average, £2,383 to invest – more than 23 times the £100 minimum required by many providers. Policymakers and industry can address the barriers. The Financial Conduct Authority is clear that the consumer duty welcomes innovation, provided that it leads to better consumer outcomes. Historical, well-intentioned regulation has created a market where financial advice is out of reach for many. However, Advice Guidance Boundary review, and more specifically Targeted Support, can now address this by allowing firms to provide advice on the basis of 'people like you', opening financial advice to a wider range of investors. With this in mind, firms should be allowed to re-visit the way investment risk is represented – to help, rather than alienate, investors. Cash products are not required to carry warnings about lower long-term returns or the risk of wealth erosion due to inflation, while investing products must carry multiple downside warnings. Both should carry equally robust and proportionate information – so consumers understand the risks of investing and the risks of holding cash. Additionally, marketing materials should dispel myths about up-front capital requirements for investing. The move to a new Consumer Composite Investments regime should broaden the range of products retail consumers can invest in, including specifying US-domiciled ETFs in the overseas fund regime. The data is clear. UK consumers want to invest more, and in a wider range of assets. This requires coordinated action. But the opportunity to create a nation of long-term investors is too important to miss.
Al Jazeera
03-06-2025
- Business
- Al Jazeera
Ready to unlock financial freedom?
Did you know that women already control a third of the world's private wealth— and that number is expected to soar past 50% in the next 5 years? But how can you be part of that growth? Now You Know speaks with Cristina Jaeger, the founder of HerFinancialFreedom. Cristina's mission is to close the gender gap in wealth and investing and help women gain financial independence. She shares tips on how women can meet their financial goals.
