HSBC Survey: U.S. Firms Redesign Global Strategy as Capital Flows Concentrate
NEW YORK – Despite volatility, 90% of U.S. firms plan to increase cross-border trade and investment over the next five years as capital flows become more concentrated and regionally aligned. This is according to a new independent survey from HSBC ahead of its annual HSBC Global Investment Summit *.
The survey of 3,000 international businesses and institutional investors in 10 markets, includes 250 U.S. corporates and 50 U.S. Institutional Investors. It shows that a decade of economic shocks has fundamentally reshaped how businesses approach international growth. For U.S. firms, volatility is no longer a temporary disruption, it is a feature of the operating environment.
Key US Findings:
- Firms are adapting to volatility
- 92% say they continue to see strong opportunities for international growth
- Cross-border strategy is expanding, but becoming more regional
- 90% plan to increase cross-border trade or investment over the next five years
- 89% expect trade and investment flows to become more regional in pattern
- Capital flows are concentrating into fewer, more strategic corridors
- 92% expect cross-border capital flows to remain strong, but increasingly focused on a smaller number of preferred hubs or markets
- AI and Technology investment is accelerating – but near-term expectations remain measured
- 31% of the business leaders surveyed believe AI will transform their core business model within the next three years
Jason Henderson, CEO, HSBC US, said: “The global economy hasn’t slowed, it has shifted. U.S. companies are repositioning around the trade corridors and capital hubs shaping the next phase of growth. At HSBC, we’re helping clients navigate uncertainty, enabling them to embrace more targeted and resilient cross-border strategies.”
These trends will be a central focus at HSBC’s Global Investment Summit (GIS), taking place in Hong Kong from April 14-16, 2026. Now in its third year, the summit convenes global leaders to discuss how trade, capital flows, and financial networks are evolving in response to a more complex and interconnected global economy.
HSBC has confirmed several prominent US-based speakers who will contribute perspectives across policy, capital markets, institutional investing and new financial infrastructure, including:
- Dr Janet Yellen, former Chair of the US Federal Reserve and former US Treasury Secretary
- Michael Arougheti, Chief Executive Officer, Ares Management
- Yie-Hsin Hung, Chief Executive Officer, State Street Global Advisors
- Jeremy Allaire, Co-Founder, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Circle
Additional speakers and sessions will examine macroeconomics and geopolitics, shifting trade and investment corridors, the growing role of private finance networks, and developments in digital assets and currencies.
* The independently commissioned survey was conducted in mid-March 2026, ahead of the annual HSBC Global Investment Summit
The full report is available here: HSBC: New networks of capital - The world rewired
About the Survey
The HSBC GIS survey is based on the insights of 3,000 Senior Business Decision Makers and 500 Global Institutional Investors conducted by FTI and British Polling accredited Savanta. 300 businesses and institutional investors were from the US. Responses were collected from 9-15 March 2026 across 10 markets: UK, France, Hong Kong, Germany, Mainland China, Singapore, USA, India, UAE, & Saudi Arabia. The sample comprised 250 Senior Business Decision Makers and 50 Global Institutional Investors in each market. Of the 3,000 corporate respondents, 726 reported global turnover of over USD2 billion in the past 12 months, 900 turned over between USD500 million and USD2 billion, and 874 had turnover of USD50 million to USD500 million. Of the 500 Global Institutional Investors, 164 reported that their company manages $10bn+ in AUM, 128 managed between $1bn to $9bn AUM, and 208 manage less than $1bn AUM.
Full findings and methodology: https://www.business.hsbc.com/en-gb/insights/macro-outlook/new-networks-of-capital-the-world-rewired
Media enquiries:
Conor Gronbach | Communications Manager | HSBC US Media Relations
Conor.gronbach@us.hsbc.com | +1 (919) 609-9423
About HSBC
HSBC Holdings plc, the parent company of HSBC, is headquartered in London. HSBC serves customers worldwide from offices in 56 countries and territories. With assets of US$3,233bn at 31 December 2025, HSBC is one of the world’s largest banking and financial services organisations.