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Rich young Americans are ditching the stock market

Phil Osagie

7 min read

Rich, young couple

LightField Studios/Shutterstock

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The stock market has long been the go-to choice for people looking to invest their money. But that could be about to change as a younger generation — with a preference for alternative investments outside the shaky stock market — enters the scene.

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According to a recent survey from Bank of America, individuals aged 21 to 43 with at least $3 million in assets only have 25% of their portfolio invested in stocks — compared to 55% for wealthy investors aged above 43.

Most rich, young Americans (93%) say they plan to allocate more of their portfolio to alternatives in the next few years. So, what alternative investments are capturing the interest of these young millionaires?

The Bank of America survey revealed that among wealthy young investors, 45% own gold as a physical asset, and another 45% are interested in holding it.

Historically, gold has served as a hedge against inflation and market volatility. Many investors turn to “safe haven” assets like gold during economic and geopolitical instability to preserve their wealth.

The enthusiasm of investors has indeed propelled the price of gold to record levels with the precious metal recently sitting around the $3,300 per ounce mark as of June 2025.

There are lots of gold assets to choose from, including gold bars, coins and gold stocks.

One way to invest in gold that also provides significant tax advantages is to open a gold IRA with the help of American Hartford Gold.

Gold IRAs allow investors to hold physical gold or gold-related assets within a retirement account — combining the tax advantages of an IRA with the protective benefits of investing in gold, making it an option for those looking to potentially hedge their retirement funds against economic uncertainties.

Even better, you can often roll over existing 401(k) or IRA accounts into a gold IRA without tax-related penalties. To learn more, get your free 2025 information guide on investing in precious metals.

Qualifying purchases can also receive up to $20,000 in free silver.