Direct retail channel assets are forecasted to hit $5.9 trillion by year-end 2016, up from $4.3 trillion at the close of 2012, according to new research.
Cerulli Associates unveils this finding in "Retail Investor Product Use 2013: Impact of Change in Investor Risk Appetite" In its 5th iteration, the report examines the behaviors, opinions and preferences related to financial products and services used by U.S.-based investors across the wealth spectrum.
The Cerulli report indicates that advisory channel assets, pegged at $15.4 trillion at year-end 2012, retains the lion's share of an estimated $26.6 trillion in assets controlled by U.S. retail investors. The balance of the total is held by other intermediate channels.
"Households with $500,000 to $2 million in investable assets represent significant retirement product placement opportunities, and in many [cases] have substantial advice needs," the report states. "Investors in these segments in most cases have the potential, but not the guarantee, of creating reliable retirement income streams from their asset bases.
