International commerce disputes are the first concern for household workplaces worldwide, in response to 60 per cent of respondents within the 2025 International Household Workplace Report launched by Citi Wealth. The report, which surveyed 346 household workplaces from 45 nations, additionally discovered that US-China relations (43 per cent) and a resurgence of inflation (37 per cent) had been different main considerations.
The flagship publication from Citi Wealth’s International Household Workplace Group explores funding sentiment, portfolio actions, and operational greatest practices amongst a few of the world’s most subtle traders. The survey was performed in June and July 2025, shedding gentle on how methods have modified because the US tariff bulletins earlier this yr.
Optimistic outlook regardless of geopolitical considerations
Regardless of the geopolitical considerations, household workplaces expressed optimism about their 12-month portfolio returns, with almost 4 out of 10 anticipating returns of 10 per cent or extra. The report suggests this optimistic sentiment could also be pushed by potential US deregulation, rate of interest cuts and advances in synthetic intelligence.
In response to market volatility, 39 per cent of household workplaces reported favouring energetic administration to bolster portfolio resilience. Whereas most held their asset allocations regular, these implementing modifications had been predominantly bullish, with personal fairness seeing essentially the most optimistic exercise.
Hannes Hofmann, head of Citi Wealth’s international household workplace group, stated: “These are thrilling instances for household workplaces worldwide, particularly within the Center East. A excessive proportion of first-generation households proceed to manage wealth, reflecting a resurgence of wealth creation within the area. On the similar time, the UAE is experiencing a big influx of rich people relocating from overseas, additional reinforcing its place as a worldwide hub for household workplaces.”
The report discovered that the Europe, Center East and Africa (EMEA) area had the best proportion of first-generation households controlling wealth, at 56 per cent.
A concentrate on direct investing and AI adoption
The report highlighted a powerful dedication to direct investing, with 70 per cent of respondents engaged on this exercise. Of these, 4 out of 10 stated they’d elevated their direct funding exercise within the final yr.
“Household workplaces globally stay extremely centered on direct investing, as they search publicity to the important thing transformative applied sciences of tomorrow and attractively valued corporations throughout sectors,” stated Daybreak Nordberg, head of built-in consumer engagement for Citi Wealth.
The adoption of synthetic intelligence can be accelerating. The proportion of respondents who stated they’d deployed AI doubled since final yr’s survey, with a specific concentrate on automating operational duties and funding analytics.
Gaps in professionalisation and danger administration
Whereas the report reveals ongoing professionalisation amongst household workplaces, significantly of their funding capabilities, it additionally identifies areas needing additional improvement. Roughly half of the respondents acknowledged being underprepared to handle cybersecurity, private safety, and geopolitical dangers.
“Our survey reveals ongoing professionalisation amongst household workplaces, significantly within the funding perform,” defined Alexandre Monnier, head of worldwide household workplace advisory for Citi Wealth. “It additionally identifies areas the place additional improvement is essential, corresponding to danger administration and expertise acquisition for non-investment providers.”
