Optimism has turned to confidence. And Asset Managers and Private Equity leaders are increasingly bullish about the prospects for their company and the wider industry. Nearly a quarter expect outsized earnings over the next three years. Expect deployments to skyrocket and disposals to follow as valuation gaps narrow and managers start to focus on executing strategic M&A.
Value creation will continue to be high on the Asset Management agenda, driven by investments into digitalization and AI. Sector CEOs are clear on how AI will create competitive advantages for their funds, their organizations and their portfolio companies. The vast majority are confident they have the skills and capabilities to turn these investments into tangible value uplift. Cyber security will remain a top concern, with AI creating both risks and opportunities.
Maximizing value will require Asset Managers and Private Equity leaders to adjust their organizational skills and capabilities. Yet while competition for top talent will remain fierce, CEOs are taking proactive steps to ensure they have the capabilities they need to deliver alpha to their investors. People are being upskilled, workplace models are being updated and new partnerships are being formed to drive AI adoption and retraining.
Sustainability has become part of the value equation, with sector leaders saying they are increasingly focused on understanding — and unlocking — the financial value of their ESG initiatives. That means both assessing the cost and value of their sustainability investments and ensuring they are reporting on the right metrics to meet the expectations of their investors and regulators.
As this report illustrates, Asset Management and Private Equity leaders expect 2026 to deliver increasing confidence and outsized growth. Our CEO Outlook explains why.