• Two out of three institutional investors expect increased stock market volatility this year, Carne Group research shows

• Private debt, infrastructure, private equity and hedge funds are expected to see strongest growth in institutional inflows over next five year

LONDON – 13^th February 2024: Institutional investors are increasingly attracted to alternative asset classes as they predict increased volatility in stock markets this year, according to new research* from Carne Group, a leader in fund regulation and governance solutions for the asset management industry.

Its global study of 200 senior leaders found two out of three institutional investors (67%) believe the level of volatility in stock markets will rise this year, with 6% predicting a dramatic increase. The research found that stock market volatility is driving increased interest in alternative asset classes which are generally less affected by short term price volatility. Eighty-eight believe their organisation’s appetite for risk will be higher this year with 11% saying it will be much higher.

Considering pension funds alone, 92% expect risk appetite to be higher, with 6% expecting it to be much higher, while among family offices the corresponding figures are 83% and 20% respectively.

Around 86% of insurance asset managers expect an increased risk appetite with 6% saying it will be much higher, while for wealth managers the figures are 85% and 14% respectively and for consultants, they are 96% and 13%.

Overall, around 65% of institutional investors interviewed chose hedge funds among the top three private asset classes for growth in inflows, while 57% selected venture capital and 56% named private equity.

Private debt has seen considerable growth over recent years, and continues to be attractive to institutional investors, with one in three surveyed (30%) believing that it will increase its allocation over the next five years.

John Donohoe, CEO at Carne Group said: “Sustained stock market volatility and investors seeking higher returns have driven increased interest in alternative asset classes which generally show lower levels of correlation to short-term price movements, which is important not only for diversification but also for regulatory purposes.

“The growing focus on alternatives is not a short-term move either, with institutional investors predicting strong but selective growth in inflows to alternatives over the next five years. One area we are seeing a particular increase in inflows is private debt, and our research suggests this is likely to continue.”

About the research

*Carne Group commissioned the market research company Pure profile to interview 201 investors working for pension funds, family offices, wealth managers, insurance asset managers and consultants to institutional investors and asset managers in the UK, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, France, the Netherlands, Norway, Finland and Denmark with a total of $1.7 trillion assets under management.

The survey was conducted in December 2023 and January 2024.

About Carne Group

Founded in 2004, Carne Group is an international company that has established itself as an expert and pioneer in fund regulation and governance solutions, allowing it to become Europe’s leading third-party management company and trusted partner to the fund management industry.

Carne works with more than 650 clients – from boutique fund managers to global institutional investors –  supporting funds distributed in over 160 countries and overseeing more than $2 trillion assets under management. Carne employs more than 700 employees worldwide. https://www.carnegroup.com/

This publication has been prepared for general guidance on matters of interest only and does not constitute professional advice. You should not act upon the information contained in this publication without obtaining specific professional advice.

For further information, please contact:

Phil Anderson

phil@perceptiona.com

+44 (0)7767 491519

– or –

Noreen Biddle Shah

noreen.biddleshah@carnegroup.com

+44 (0)7391 055521