Economists Offer Investment Advice for 2026: Savings in Fixed Deposits Will Continue to Shrink

Experts explain the more optimal investment directions in 2026.

Anna Chernykh, an associate professor at the Russian Federal Financial University, told "Rossiyskaya Gazeta" that future adjustments to monetary policy may reduce the appeal of traditional bank fixed deposits. She also proposed various alternative investment options to help investors preserve and grow their assets.

This expert pointed out that, with the expectation of a decrease in the key interest rate by the Central Bank of Russia, the yield on bank deposits will also decline.

"Fixed deposits will still be the simplest and most liquid investment tool, but in the long term, their ability to hedge against inflation is relatively weak."

Chernykh explained.

The economist predicts that, in the new market environment, the core focus of investors will shift toward the bond market — lower interest rates usually drive up bond prices. Among them, federal government bonds (Russian federal debt) have the most significant growth potential, with expected yields reaching 30% by the end of 2026. For corporate bonds, if investors can strictly screen the issuers, the yield could reach around 16%.

Stocks remain an investment option with high risk and high returns. Chernykh said: "If the economy stabilizes and monetary policy becomes more relaxed, the overall return on stocks (including dividends) is expected to reach about 28%."

The expert also recommends allocating gold in the investment portfolio. Gold will continue to play the role of a "safe haven," with its price expected to continue rising, and the optimal allocation in the investment portfolio is approximately 10% to 20%.

As for real estate investment, only a few specific areas are worth attention — for example, purchasing pre-construction properties or investing in commercial real estate. However, such investments usually require large amounts of capital and have poor liquidity.

Chernykh lists a balanced investment strategy as the core strategy for the coming period. She believes that the optimal investment portfolio should include the following types of assets:

  • Fixed deposits: used to build an emergency fund and ensure asset liquidity;
  • Bonds: used to obtain stable and predictable returns;
  • Stocks: used to achieve long-term capital appreciation;
  • Gold: used to hedge against market fluctuations and crisis risks.

Original: toutiao.com/article/7592525776411525659/

Statement: This article represents the views of the author.