World’s largest asset owners reach new record
WTW's Thinking Ahead Institute reports that the world's top 100 asset owners' assets grew by 12.3% in 2023, reaching a record $26.3 trillion, recovering from an 8.7% decline in 2022. Sovereign wealth funds (SWFs) now manage 38.9% of AO100 assets, while pension funds, despite holding the largest share at 51.2%, showed the lowest growth at 8.9%. The Government Pension Investment Fund of Japan remains the largest asset owner with $1.59 trillion AuM. EMEA leads regional distribution with 34.3% of total AuM, followed by Asia Pacific (33.0%) and North America (32.7%).
L'Istituto Thinking Ahead di WTW riporta che gli attivi dei primi 100 proprietari di asset nel mondo sono cresciuti del 12,3% nel 2023, raggiungendo un record di 26,3 trilioni di dollari, recuperando da un calo dell'8,7% nel 2022. I fondi sovrani (SWFs) gestiscono ora il 38,9% degli asset dell'AO100, mentre i fondi pensione, nonostante detengano la quota più grande al 51,2%, hanno mostrato la crescita più bassa all'8,9%. Il Government Pension Investment Fund del Giappone rimane il più grande proprietario di asset con 1,59 trilioni di dollari in gestione. La regione EMEA guida la distribuzione regionale con il 34,3% del totale degli asset in gestione, seguita dall'Asia Pacifico (33,0%) e dal Nord America (32,7%).
El Instituto Thinking Ahead de WTW informa que los activos de los 100 principales propietarios de activos del mundo crecieron un 12,3% en 2023, alcanzando un récord de 26,3 billones de dólares, recuperándose de una caída del 8,7% en 2022. Los fondos soberanos (SWFs) ahora gestionan el 38,9% de los activos del AO100, mientras que los fondos de pensiones, a pesar de tener la mayor participación con un 51,2%, mostraron el crecimiento más bajo con un 8,9%. El Government Pension Investment Fund de Japón sigue siendo el mayor propietario de activos con 1,59 billones de dólares en gestión. EMEA lidera la distribución regional con el 34,3% del total de activos bajo gestión, seguido de Asia-Pacífico (33,0%) y América del Norte (32,7%).
WTW의 Thinking Ahead Institute는 세계의 100대 자산 소유자의 자산이 2023년에 12.3% 증가하여 기록적인 26.3조 달러에 도달했고, 2022년의 8.7% 감소에서 회복되었다고 보고했습니다. 국부 펀드 (SWFs)는 현재 AO100 자산의 38.9%를 관리하고 있으며, 연금 기금은 51.2%로 가장 큰 비율을 차지하지만, 8.9%로 가장 낮은 성장률을 보였습니다. 일본 정부 연금 투자 기금은 1.59조 달러의 자산을 관리하는 가장 큰 자산 소유자로 남아 있습니다. EMEA 지역은 전체 자산의 34.3%를 차지하며 지역 분포에서 선두를 달리고, 아시아 태평양이 (33.0%) 뒤따르며, 북미가 (32.7%) 있습니다.
L'Institut Thinking Ahead de WTW rapporte que les actifs des 100 principaux propriétaires d'actifs au monde ont augmenté de 12,3% en 2023, atteignant un record de 26,3 trillions de dollars, se remettant d'une baisse de 8,7% en 2022. Les fonds souverains (SWFs) gèrent maintenant 38,9% des actifs de l'AO100, tandis que les fonds de pension, bien qu'ils détiennent la plus grande part avec 51,2%, ont montré la plus faible croissance à 8,9%. Le Government Pension Investment Fund du Japon demeure le plus grand propriétaire d'actifs avec 1,59 trillion de dollars sous gestion. La région EMEA est en tête de la répartition régionale avec 34,3% du total des actifs sous gestion, suivie par la région Asie-Pacifique (33,0%) et l'Amérique du Nord (32,7%).
Das Thinking Ahead Institute von WTW berichtet, dass die Vermögenswerte der Top 100 der Vermögensbesitzer der Welt im Jahr 2023 um 12,3% gewachsen sind und einen Rekordwert von 26,3 Billionen Dollar erreicht haben, nachdem sie im Jahr 2022 um 8,7% gesunken waren. Staatsfonds (SWFs) verwalten jetzt 38,9% der AO100 Vermögenswerte, während Pensionsfonds, die mit 51,2% den größten Anteil halten, das geringste Wachstum mit 8,9% zeigten. Der Government Pension Investment Fund von Japan bleibt der größte Vermögensbesitzer mit 1,59 Billionen Dollar verwaltetem Vermögen. EMEA führt die regionale Verteilung mit 34,3% des gesamten verwalteten Vermögens an, gefolgt von Asien-Pazifik (33,0%) und Nordamerika (32,7%).
- Record-breaking total assets of $26.3 trillion for top 100 asset owners
- Strong 12.3% year-on-year growth in 2023
- Full recovery from previous year's 8.7% decline
- Pension funds showing weakest growth at 8.9% compared to other asset types
- Declining proportion of pension funds in North America and EMEA since 2017
- High market volatility and uncertainty due to geopolitical events
Insights
The record
The regional distribution shows a relatively balanced split, with EMEA leading at
The rebound in asset values and changing institutional landscape has substantial implications for WTW's consulting business. As asset owners face increased complexity from geopolitical risks, monetary policy shifts and sustainability requirements, demand for sophisticated advisory services should grow. The trend toward SWF dominance in certain regions and the relative decline of pension funds suggests evolving client needs and potential new business opportunities.
The high market volatility and transition away from traditional risk management models mentioned in the report could drive increased demand for WTW's risk advisory and solutions services. This positions WTW favorably as asset owners seek guidance in navigating complex, interconnected risks in an uncertain macroeconomic environment.
NEW YORK, Nov. 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Assets of the top 100 asset owners globally returned to growth in 2023 after a fall of
As a result of a marked
The full Asset Owner 100 study also reveals the evolving split between different types of asset owners. Sovereign wealth funds (SWFs) remain a dominant force among other types of asset owners, now managing
Pension funds have represented a declining proportion of the AO100 in North America and in Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) since 2017, falling in favor of outsourced chief investment officers and SWFs’ accelerated growth. Across EMEA, the pattern is more pronounced, as SWFs now form
The Government Pension Investment Fund of Japan remains the largest single asset owner in the world, with assets under management (AuM) of US
EMEA is the largest region in the AO100 study, accounting for
“Asset owners globally are navigating a series of waves and occasional storms — from market volatility and geopolitics to technology and structural changes in societies and economies,” said Jessica Gao, director of the Thinking Ahead Institute.
“Macro trends matter. Over the past 12 months, the global investment macro environment has been marked by volatility and mixed performance across asset classes. Interest rates reached significant highs in 2023. The first half of 2024 brought some stabilization in global markets, as base rates remained relatively flat. After a sustained period of elevated rates aimed at controlling inflation, central banks began to implement gradual rate cuts in the latter half of 2024, marking the first reductions in years; however, market volatility remains high with uncertainty due to geopolitical events and several major elections.
“Meanwhile,” continued Gao, “the rise of political influence amid the increase in geopolitical risks, major elections and use of monetary policy to tackle inflation has necessitated asset owners to take a more sophisticated approach in managing the intersections between financial return and regulatory compliance. During this period of volatility, leading asset owners strived to balance political influence and achieve positive sustainability impacts with operating in macroeconomic environments of high uncertainty.
“Technology and more fundamental change — including to the global climate — are accelerating factors too. Traditional risk management relying heavily on historical data and linear models struggles to keep up with today’s complex, interconnected risks,” concludes Gao. “A new approach will be required to understand and manage risks that arise from complex, systemic sources with limited historical precedent.”
Notes to editors:
Figures are the latest available as of Dec. 31, 2023.
About the Thinking Ahead Institute
The Thinking Ahead Institute was established in January 2015 and is a global not-for-profit investment research and innovation member group made up of engaged institutional asset owners and service providers committed to changing and improving the investment industry for the benefit of the end saver. It has over 55 members around the world and is an outgrowth of WTW Investments’ Thinking Ahead Group, which was set up in 2002.
About WTW Investments
WTW Investments is an investment advisory and asset management firm focused on creating financial value for institutional investors through its expertise in risk assessment, strategic asset allocation, fiduciary management and investment manager selection. It has over 900 colleagues worldwide, more than 1,000 investment clients globally, assets under advisory of over US
About WTW
At WTW (NASDAQ: WTW), we provide data-driven, insight-led solutions in the areas of people, risk and capital. Leveraging the global view and local expertise of our colleagues serving 140 countries and markets, we help organizations sharpen their strategy, enhance organizational resilience, motivate their workforce and maximize performance.
Working shoulder to shoulder with our clients, we uncover opportunities for sustainable success—and provide perspective that moves you.
Learn more at wtwco.com
Media contact
Ed Emerman: +1 609 240 2766
eemerman@eaglepr.com
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