Private assets, AI play into growth plans say | Australian Markets

A new international report commissioned by Natixis Investment Managers (Natixis IM) has confirmed the “critical” function performed by personal belongings and artificial intelligence (AI) in wealth managers’ growth plans.

The Natixis IM Wealth Industry Survey polled over 500 investment professionals from 20 international locations together with Australia, the UK, the United States and others in Latin America and Europe representing a complete of more than $US38.4 trillion for public and personal pension and superannuation funds, insurers, foundations, endowments and sovereign wealth funds.

Of the people surveyed – together with those that labored for personal banks, wirehouses, unbiased financial advisers, wealth advisory platforms, and registered investment advisers – 92 per cent mentioned they plan to increase or keep their personal credit offering and 91 per cent plan the identical for his or her personal equity investments.

Among the native wealth managers who participated within the survey, 40 per cent mentioned a “lack of access” to personal markets is a menace to their business and 48 per cent mentioned satisfying shopper demand for unlisted belongings is taken into account “critical” to their growth plans. According to the survey, the average of Australian wealth managers’ portfolios consisted of 88 per cent public belongings and 12 per cent in personal.

“If one thing is certain amidst the current market volatility, a potential trade war, and inflationary fears; it’s that demand for private assets is still increasing,” Natixis IM Country Head of Australia and New Zealand, Louise Watson, mentioned.

“Wealth managers welcome the diversification and return advantages of personal markets as they purpose in the direction of an 8.3% growth goal for portfolios this 12 months.

“We are working intently with our personal wealth and advice shoppers to grasp their wants and desires for a retail-friendly personal asset offering, and the place demand exists, we’ll construct a customised, cost-effective resolution to match it.

“Pleasingly, Natixis IM’s private equity manager Flexstone Partners has secured approval from the French regulator to launch a retail private equity fund in Europe, and we can leverage this expertise in Australia.”

The survey additionally revealed that 40 per cent of respondents consider personal belongings will present a “safe haven” regardless of present high valuations, with a additional 68 per cent additionally indicating that development of more “retail-friendly” personal asset investment merchandise would help to spice up portfolio diversification.

The report additionally indicated that the quantity of Australian wealth managers integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into their investment methods has more than doubled since final 12 months (25 per cent), now at 56 per cent in 2025.