Survey Shows Investors Still Rely on Human Advisors
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jun 25 2026
0mins
Source: CNBC
- Investor Trust in Human Advisors: According to HSBC's survey, 62% of high-net-worth individuals rely on financial professionals as their primary source of investment ideas, indicating a strong dependence on human judgment and expertise, especially in final decision-making.
- Limited AI Influence: The survey reveals that only 37% of respondents believe human financial experts have the greatest impact on final investment decisions, far exceeding the 12% who cited AI, suggesting that while AI is widely used in initial research, it falls short in critical decision-making.
- Youth Driving AI Adoption: HSBC found that 86% of Gen Z and 82% of millennials use AI for financial decisions, primarily to identify potential risks and expedite research, reflecting a positive attitude towards technology among younger investors.
- Regional Differences Noted: The survey indicates that the confidence boost from AI is more pronounced in parts of Asia and the Middle East, such as India, UAE, Malaysia, and Hong Kong, while investors in the U.S., Singapore, Taiwan, and the U.K. adopt a more measured approach, highlighting cultural market differences.
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Analyst Views on HSBC
About HSBC
HSBC Holdings plc (HSBC) is a banking and financial services company. Its business segments include Hong Kong, UK, Corporate and Institutional Banking (CIB), and International Wealth and Premier Banking (IWPB). Its Hong Kong business comprises retail banking and wealth and commercial banking of HSBC Hong Kong and Hang Seng Bank. Its UK business comprises UK retail banking and wealth (including first direct and M&S Bank) and UK commercial banking, including HSBC Innovation Bank. CIB segment is formed from the integration of its commercial banking business (outside the UK and Hong Kong) with its global banking and markets business. IWPB segment comprises premier banking outside of Hong Kong and the UK, its private bank, and its wealth manufacturing businesses of asset management and insurance. Its customers worldwide through a network covering 56 countries and territories. Its customers range from personal banking and wealth customers to large corporates, institutions and governments.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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- Significant Industry Impact: This decision by HSBC mirrors similar actions by Barclays, which is also constraining lending to certain structured finance counterparties, forcing private credit funds to seek alternative financing to maintain loan profitability.
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- Risk Management Shift: HSBC has decided to suspend support for high-risk private credit financing due to recent corporate insolvencies, particularly for private credit funds that fail to deliver sufficient returns, indicating a reassessment of its risk tolerance in the industry.
- Significant Industry Impact: This decision by HSBC mirrors similar actions by Barclays, which is also constraining lending to certain structured finance counterparties, forcing private credit funds to seek alternative financing to maintain loan profitability.
- Financial Loss Disclosure: HSBC has taken a $400 million charge due to its exposure through Apollo's Atlas SP unit to Market Financial Solutions (MFS), while Barclays provisioned £228 million for MFS-related losses, highlighting the risk exposure within the industry.
- Increased Regulatory Warnings: As the European Central Bank intensifies warnings about financial linkages, HSBC stated it will continue to offer services covering all stages of the private credit market, focusing on supporting deals for its most important clients in regions with the highest growth potential.
See More
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- Tightening Credit Policies: HSBC has decided to halt lending to riskier private credit clients, a move prompted by recent high-profile bankruptcies that have raised doubts about underwriting standards, indicating a cautious approach to risk management by banks.
- Significant Financial Losses: The collapse of UK mortgage lender Market Financial Solutions (MFS) amid fraud allegations resulted in a $400 million loss for HSBC and a £228 million write-off for Barclays, highlighting the vulnerability of both banks in the private lending sector.
- Eroding Industry Confidence: This series of bankruptcies has led banks to generally reduce their risk exposure to private credit, potentially tightening credit supply across the industry and impacting the financing capabilities of small and medium-sized enterprises.
- Increased Regulatory Pressure: As credit standards tighten, regulators may intensify scrutiny of banks to ensure transparency in risk management and lending approvals, aiming to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
See More
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- Earnings Reflect AI Demand: Micron Technology's latest quarterly results indicate that despite growing concerns about a slowdown in AI demand, artificial intelligence spending continues to support semiconductor industry demand, highlighting the sector's robust fundamentals.
- Market Sentiment Impact: HSBC noted that even as Micron delivered record financial results and a strong outlook, concerns surrounding Federal Reserve policy and leveraged exchange-traded products have weighed on market sentiment, suggesting that market narratives can temporarily overshadow fundamentals.
- Neutral Investor Positioning: Current investor positioning appears neutral rather than excessively optimistic, which reduces concerns about overheating in the semiconductor sector, indicating potential market stability in the near future.
- Positive Future Outlook: HSBC anticipates that continued strength in the AI trade will be one of several potential market surprises for the second half of 2026, while expectations of more accommodative U.S. monetary policy could provide additional support for equities.
See More
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- Rating Downgrade Impact: HSBC downgraded Stellantis from Hold to Reduce and slashed its price target from 5.50 to 4, implying a potential 21% downside, which directly undermines market confidence in the company.
- Inventory Pressure Intensifies: As of June 2026, U.S. dealer inventory reached 93 days, an increase of approximately 120,000 units year-over-year, with HSBC warning that the company may need to repeat deep price cuts and production curtailments to clear similar inventory pressures, impacting future profitability.
- Frequent Recalls: Stellantis issued 19 recalls covering 2.5 million vehicles in 2026, which HSBC cited as a central quality concern, potentially further affecting consumer trust and sales performance.
- Italian Production Data: Although production data from Italy shows a 13.7% year-on-year increase to 252,223 vehicles in the first half of 2026, it still falls short of the government's target of 1 million units, highlighting the company's challenges in recovering production levels.
See More
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- Sector Allocation Comparison: IEFA's top sector allocations are financials (23%), industrials (19%), and technology (12%), whereas VXUS has higher allocations in financials (22%), technology (21%), and industrials (15%), particularly highlighting the significant influence of technology in emerging markets, reflecting VXUS's investment potential in AI and other emerging sectors.
- Portfolio Selection: IEFA is suitable for investors looking to focus on developed markets, while VXUS offers a superior choice for those seeking comprehensive international stock coverage, especially in the context of today's diversified global economy, making VXUS's diversified strategy more appealing.
- Expense Ratio Advantage: Both ETFs boast expense ratios below 0.1%, providing competitive cost-effectiveness; however, VXUS's diversified portfolio may offer higher long-term return potential, particularly given the growth expectations in emerging markets.
See More
Comparison of Core International Stock ETFs
- ETF Fee Comparison: Both the iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF and the Vanguard Total International Stock ETF feature expense ratios below 0.1%, enabling investors to effectively manage costs when selecting core international equity funds, thereby enhancing long-term investment returns.
- Market Coverage Differences: The iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF focuses solely on developed markets, holding approximately 2,600 stocks with Japan and the UK accounting for nearly 40%, while the Vanguard Total International Stock ETF encompasses both developed and emerging markets with around 8,700 stocks, offering broader global investment opportunities.
- Sector Allocation Analysis: The iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF's top sectors include financials (23%), industrials (19%), and technology (12%), whereas the Vanguard Total International Stock ETF has a higher allocation in technology (21%) alongside financials (22%) and industrials (15%), reflecting a greater emphasis on emerging fields like AI.
- Investment Choice Recommendations: For investors seeking comprehensive international stock coverage in a single fund, the Vanguard Total International Stock ETF is the superior choice, while the iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF is suitable for those focusing exclusively on developed markets, highlighting the applicability of different investment strategies.
See More
