The Certitude Global Investing Index for the month of July, which surveyed 630 actively engaged Australian investors, found 22 per cent of investors plan to increase their exposure to international shares, up from 16 per cent the previous month.
The index also showed investors are eager to increase their overseas investments sooner rather than later, with 38 per cent of investors saying they plan to increase exposure within three months, up from 30 per cent in June.
Certitude Global Investment chief executive Craig Mowll said the month’s results indicate there is real optimism about investing in overseas markets.
“Despite some concerns about China and recent events in the Middle East and Ukraine, investors appear undaunted about any negative effect on offshore markets,” said Mr Mowll.
“This may be one reason that demand for international funds covering multiple regions decreased slightly this month, when compared with other geographic options, and increased confidence can lead investors to want overweight to particular regions themselves,” he said.
The index also found the US remained the preferred option when it came to international markets, with its popularity rising sharply since May this year.
“This is likely the result of better economic data coming out of the US, and the fact that US corporate profits and earnings are strong,” said Mr Mowll.
“[Also] interest in investing in Western Europe reached a 12-month peak, which again reinforced the view that investors are positive about the pace of recovery in the eurozone, despite issues in the Ukraine,” he said.
