Difference in Gender Attitude in Investment Decision Making in India

Abstract

As women play a more active role, they also want to get the same attention, advice, terms and deals that men get from their wealth managers and advisers. Traditionally, the right to make investment decisions normally belongs to men. However, women today are making a bigger share of the decision over whether to invest in stocks, bonds or real estate. Specifically, in 2009, women decided how to allocate about $20 trillion in investments -- about 27% of the world's wealth, which is up by 16% from 2008. The objective of this study is to study the differences in the Investment Decision Making (IDM) process between female and male investors. In this study, chi-square test has been applied as statistical tool. The findings of this study are higher level of awareness for males than females for different investment avenues and Female investors tend to display less confidence in their investment decisions and hence have lower satisfaction levels.

Key words: IDM, investment avenues, awareness, stereotypes, self-directed