Russian private investors favor stocks but diversify more than ever
A new study reveals how private investors in Russia manage their portfolios. Stocks remain the most popular choice, but holding periods vary widely depending on asset type and portfolio size. The findings also highlight a clear trend towards diversification over the past decade.
Nearly half of investors (49%) focus mainly on stocks, while only 6% prefer bonds. Those with smaller portfolios, between 1 and 10 million rubles, tend to hold stocks for around four years. In contrast, large investors—those managing over 100 million rubles—keep their stock investments for more than six years, showing a stronger long-term approach.
Bonds have an average holding period of about a year and a half, though they typically circulate for around five years. Mutual funds, meanwhile, are held for just over a year on average. The study also found that 39% of investors concentrate on the most liquid assets, those ranked in the top 20 by trading volume.
Diversification has grown significantly over the last ten years. Today, 65% of investors spread their money across ten or more issuers. Sector-wise, the financial industry attracts the largest share of investments (35.4%), followed by oil and gas (20.2%). Other notable allocations include government and municipal bonds (15.1%) and metallurgy (10.9%).
The data shows a clear preference for stocks among private investors, with holding times stretching longer for wealthier individuals. Diversification has also become a key strategy, as more investors spread risk across multiple sectors and issuers. These trends reflect a shift towards both liquidity and long-term stability in portfolio management.
