America's high net worth individuals have a pessimistic outlook on the financial health of the US and this affects their business decisions and lifestyle choices, a new survey by Insite Security and IBOPE Zogby International found.

Some 73 per cent of the more than 300 high net worth individuals polled said they rate the current climate for individuals looking to invest globally as negative, while 24 per cent rate the general investment climate as poor. 

Ninety-four per cent said they are "very concerned" about the global unrest in various parts of the world, leading to 90 per cent carrying a negative outlook on the global economic climate as a whole. Thirty-five per cent said security issues had negatively impacted their investment plans, while 28 per cent said they had actually changed their business direction due to the political unrest in other markets. Forty-one per cent said they have little to no faith that the US will be able to bounce back given the current conditions. 

The survey also notes that HNW individuals have become more careful about their financial choices, with 54 per cent admitting the need to limit luxury purchases and 24 per cent already doing so. A good 70 per cent of the respondents also say that they are taking measures to mitigate another financial collapse.

"In a new age of political unrest and increased global security concerns impacting the economy, the wealthy must educate themselves on how to protect both their families and their businesses," said Christopher Falkenberg, president of Insite Security.

The full study may be viewed here.