REUTERS/Chris Helgren/File Photo/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsNEW YORK, Sept 12 (Reuters) - Wealthy families loaded up on bonds and private equity investments in the first half of the year while slashing their stock exposure, according to a survey by Citigroup's (C.N) private bank. More than half of the 268 family offices polled, accounting for a combined net worth of $565 billion, increased their allocations in fixed income, while 38% boosted their private equity holdings. Investors sought out private equity investments in the first half while the market for initial public offerings (IPOs) stayed sluggish. But the private equity investments are more conservative now than in previous years. The family offices surveyed had an average portfolio allocations that included 22% in both public and private equities respectively, 16% fixed income and 12% cash.

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Persons: Chris Helgren, Hannes Hofmann, Ida Liu, Tatiana Bautzer, Lananh Nguyen, Stephen Coates Organizations: Citigroup Inc, Citi, REUTERS, Citigroup, Treasury, Citi Private Bank, Citi's Private Bank, Thomson Locations: Toronto , Ontario, Canada, U.S, China