The Drive to Build Better Client Portfolios Fuels Interest in Private Markets: Hamilton Lane 2026 Global Private Wealth Survey

Rhea-AI Summary

Hamilton Lane (Nasdaq: HLNE) 2026 Global Private Wealth Survey of 390 advisors finds rising interest in private markets for 2026. 86% of advisors plan to increase allocations; current allocations cluster at 1–20%. Venture Capital & Growth leads planned increases (47%), with Infrastructure close behind (46%).

Respondents view private markets' risk/reward positively (83% similar-or-better) and cite performance, diversification, and client education (81%) as primary drivers. Hamilton Lane reports its Evergreen Platform manages $15B AUM across 11 funds.

Positive

• 86% of advisors plan to increase private markets allocations in 2026
• 47% of advisors plan to increase Venture Capital & Growth allocations
• 83% view private markets risk/reward as similar or higher than public markets
• Hamilton Lane Evergreen Platform manages $15B AUM across 11 evergreen funds

Negative

• 97% of advisors currently allocate only 1–20% of client books to private markets
• 81% say client education is required to boost private markets interest

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• Allocations to private markets continue to rise, with Venture Capital & Growth emerging as the leading strategy in 2026
• Vast majority of respondents do not view private markets as riskier than public markets, with 83% classifying the risk as similar or viewing the reward as higher

          The survey polled 390 financial advisors across the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific

CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa., Jan. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- In 2026, private wealth investors plan to increase allocations to private market investments, according to insights from 390 advisors surveyed in leading global private markets firm Hamilton Lane's (Nasdaq: HLNE) 2026 Global Private Wealth Survey.

Private Markets Allocations on the Rise

The survey found that 86% of private wealth professionals plan to increase private market investments this year, with portfolio optimization being the top motivator. Currently, 97% of private wealth professionals surveyed allocate between 1–20% of their book of business to private markets, and the majority expect those allocations to grow in 2026. Within this allocation, respondents reported an even spread across private markets strategies, with Private Equity at 19%, Private Real Estate at 18%, Private Credit at 16%, Venture Capital & Growth at 16% and Private Infrastructure at 15%.

In terms of what drives client interest, advisors ranked performance and diversification as the top reasons for investing in private markets.

Risk vs. Reward

Despite common misconceptions, the survey findings show that most private wealth clients do not see private markets as riskier than public markets. In fact, 83% of respondents view private market risk/reward as similar, or view the reward as higher compared to public markets, reinforcing confidence in these strategies.

Growing Interest in Venture Capital

While respondents' allocations today are fairly evenly spread across strategies, Venture Capital & Growth emerged as a favorite among respondents for 2026, with 47% planning to increase allocations to this strategy. Further, when asked which strategies resonate most with new, highly engaged investors, more than half pointed to Venture Capital & Growth.

Additional global key findings:

• Education continues to be important, with 81% of wealth professionals reporting that client education significantly boosts interest in private markets, underscoring the importance of addressing knowledge gaps, particularly at the product level.
• Entry points into private markets tend to start with Private Equity and Venture Capital & Growth.
• Forty-six percent of respondents named Infrastructure as the strategy to which they plan to increase allocation in 2026, just behind Venture Capital & Growth (at 47%).

James Martin, Head of Global Client Solutions at Hamilton Lane, commented: "The survey results point to the increasingly important role private markets play within wealth management portfolios, due to the portfolio optimization and diversification benefits these investments can provide. Across our own client base and in the survey results, we see investors and their wealth advisors becoming more sophisticated around assessing risk/reward tradeoffs and recognizing the strong link between education and interest in the asset class."

Beth Nardi, Head of U.S. Private Wealth at Hamilton Lane, added: "This year highlighted a shift among private wealth investors and their advisors toward building more resilient portfolios, and the findings reflect what we're hearing in the market today: private markets are viewed through a more nuanced risk‑reward lens than in the past. As we look across strategies, Venture Capital & Growth stands out as investors seek access to innovative, high-growth private companies, many of which are not available in the public markets."

Today, Hamilton Lane's Evergreen Platform serves thousands of advisors, offers 11 evergreen funds and manages $15B AUM*. For more information on Hamilton Lane's Private Wealth business, click here. To view the full report and findings, click here.

Survey Methodology

The online survey was conducted in partnership with Wakefield Research between October 23 and November 4, 2025. The 390 global respondents included private wealth firms, RIAs, family offices and other advisor professionals from the Americas, APAC and EMEA. Hamilton Lane's affiliation with the survey was not disclosed to respondents.

*AUM is calculated as the net asset value (NAV) as of November 30, 2025, plus net subscriptions received for the December 1, 2025 dealing date, and is presented in USD millions.

About Hamilton Lane

Hamilton Lane (Nasdaq: HLNE) is one of the largest private markets investment firms globally, providing innovative solutions to institutional and private wealth investors around the world. Dedicated exclusively to private markets investing for more than 30 years, the firm currently employs approximately 770 professionals operating in offices throughout North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and the Middle East. Hamilton Lane has $1.0 trillion in assets under management and supervision, composed of $145.4 billion in discretionary assets and $859.8 billion in non-discretionary assets, as of September 30, 2025. Hamilton Lane specializes in building flexible investment programs that provide clients access to the full spectrum of private markets strategies, sectors and geographies. For more information, please visit our website or follow us on LinkedIn.   

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SOURCE Hamilton Lane

FAQ

What did Hamilton Lane (HLNE) report about advisor plans for private markets in 2026?

Most advisors plan increases: 86% intend to raise private markets allocations in 2026. According to the company, the survey of 390 advisors shows portfolio optimization drives this shift and allocations are expected to grow.

How much of client portfolios do advisors currently allocate to private markets, per HLNE survey?

Nearly all advisors allocate modestly: 97% report 1–20% allocations today. According to the company, respondents expect those percentages to expand in 2026 as interest rises.

Which private market strategy will HLNE survey respondents favor in 2026?

Venture Capital & Growth is the top choice: 47% plan to increase allocations to this strategy. According to the company, VC also resonates most with new, highly engaged investors.

What do HLNE survey respondents say about private markets risk versus public markets?

Respondents largely do not see higher risk: 83% view private markets risk/reward as similar or the reward as higher. According to the company, this reflects growing advisor sophistication on risk/reward tradeoffs.

How important is client education for private markets interest, according to Hamilton Lane (HLNE)?

Client education is critical: 81% of wealth professionals say education significantly boosts interest. According to the company, addressing product-level knowledge gaps is key to expanding allocations.