Investment & Asset Management Industry Market Research

Competitive Intelligence, Business Analysis, Forecasts, Market Size, Trends, Companies, Statistics

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Investment & Asset Management OVERVIEW

The investment and asset management industry is evolving at a rapid pace, shaped by shifting demographics, new regulations, technology-driven disruption and fast-changing investor preferences.  From trillion-dollar asset managers and global exchanges to niche private equity and hedge fund specialists, today’s investment landscape is increasingly competitive, complex, and interconnected. 
1) Regulation continues to reshape risk and profitability.  Regulatory pressure remains a defining force, especially for banks and large financial institutions.  Rules such as Basel III, Dodd-Frank and the Volcker Rule have increased capital requirements and compliance burdens, often limiting how aggressively banks can trade or lend.  In Europe, frameworks like Solvency II and MiFID 2 have driven greater transparency and tighter rules around trading practices, research fees and “dark pool” activity.  While these reforms strengthen stability, they also compress margins—pushing firms to find new sources of revenue. 
2) Private credit and “shadow banking” are expanding quickly.  As traditional banks face restrictions, non-bank lenders have moved aggressively into lending markets.  Private credit, hedge funds, private equity firms and specialized lenders now provide trillions of dollars in financing globally, often offering borrowers faster approvals or more flexible terms than banks.  This growth has created new opportunities for investors seeking yield, but it also raises concerns about risk oversight due to lighter regulation.
3) Retirement investing is becoming the industry’s largest battleground.  Aging populations, especially Baby Boomers, are driving a massive demand for retirement-focused products and advice.  In the U.S. alone, retirement and pension assets reached $45.8 trillion in Q2 2025, with IRAs totaling $18.0 trillion and 401(k) plans holding $9.3 trillion.  Employers are also boosting participation through automatic 401(k) enrollment, increasing the long-term flow of assets into managed investment products.
4) ETFs are taking market share from mutual funds.  Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are one of the most disruptive trends in modern investing.  With low fees, intraday liquidity, and broad diversification, ETFs continue to attract both retail and institutional investors.  Global ETF assets climbed to $17 trillion in 2025, and ETFs now represent more than 30% of “mutual fund-like” assets.  Growth is also being fueled by actively managed ETFs and “smart beta” strategies that blend indexing with selective tilts. 
5) Trading is becoming cheaper, faster, and more digital.  Brokerage competition has driven trading commissions toward zero, forcing firms to monetize through payment for order flow, margin lending, interest on cash balances and premium services.  Meanwhile, exchanges and professional traders are locked in an arms race for speed, powered by high-frequency trading and ultra-low-latency infrastructure.  This shift is transforming market structure and how liquidity is provided.
6) AI and fintech are transforming investment management.  From robo-advisors to hedge fund “quant” strategies, artificial intelligence is becoming central to portfolio construction, rebalancing and predictive modeling.  Assets following AI-generated models reached $7.96 trillion in April 2025, and most U.S. financial advisors now use AI tools in some form.  At the same time, fintech platforms are expanding access to investing, payments, lending and insurance through streamlined mobile-first experiences. 
7) Alternatives are reaching individuals, not just institutions.  Private equity and private credit are no longer limited to pensions and ultra-wealthy investors.  New product structures and regulatory changes are expanding access through retirement plans and lower minimums, signaling a future where “alternative allocations” become more mainstream in diversified portfolios. 
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WE PROFILE HUNDREDS OF TOP COMPANIES:

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PLUNKETT PROVIDES IN-DEPTH STATISTICS TABLES COVERING THE FOLLOWING INDUSTRY TOPICS:

Top Companies Profiled

The following is a partial listing for this industry. As a subscriber, you will have access to the leading companies and top growth companies. This includes publicly-held, private, subsidiary and joint venture companies, on a global basis as well as in the U.S.


Hundreds of Top Companies Profiled, Including:

PLUNKETT PROVIDES UNIQUE ANALYSIS OF THE FOLLOWING TRENDS THAT ARE DRIVING THIS INDUSTRY:

Key Findings:

A complete market research report, including forecasts and market estimates, technologies analysis and developments at innovative firms within the Investment & Securities Industry. Gain vital insights that can help shape strategy for business development, product development and investments.

Key Features:

  • Business trends analysis
  • In-depth industry overview
  • Technology trends analysis
  • Forecasts
  • Spending, investment, and consumption discussions
  • In-depth industry statistics and metrics
  • Industry employment numbers

Additional Key Features Include:

Industry Glossary

Industry Contacts list, including Professional Societies and Industry Associations

Profiles of industry-leading companies

  • U.S. and Global Firms
  • Publicly held, Private and Subsidiaries
  • Executive Contacts
  • Revenues

  • For Public Companies: Detailed Financial Summaries

  • Statistical Tables

Key Questions Answered Include:

  • How is the industry evolving?
  • How is the industry being shaped by new technologies?
  • How is demand growing in emerging markets and mature economies?
  • What is the size of the market now and in the future?
  • What are the financial results of the leading companies?
  • What are the names and titles of top executives?
  • What are the top companies and what are their revenues?

This feature-rich report covers competitive intelligence, market research and business analysis—everything you need to know about the Investment & Securities Industry.

Plunkett Research Provides Unique Analysis of the Following Major Trends in the Investment & Asset Management Industry

  1. Major Trends Affecting the Investment & Asset Management Industry

  2. Investment & Asset Management Industry Overview

  3. Basel III, Dodd-Frank Act and Volcker Act Increase Regulation/European Solvency II and MiFID 2 Take Effect

  4. Non-Banking Alternatives Grow in Lending and Private Credit

  5. Aging Populations, Baby Boomers Create Opportunities/U.S. Pension Accounts Top $45.8 Trillion

  6. Employers Make 401(k) Enrollment Automatic

  7. Investment Firms and Banks Compete for Clients in High-Net-Worth Households

  8. ETFs Expand and Take Market Share from Mutual Funds/Mutual Fund Managers Are Forced to Change

  9. Online Brokers Close Storefront Locations/Trades Are Free

  10. Hedge Funds Play a Major Role in Financial Markets Including Derivatives, Lending and Insurance/Quantitative Analysis Widely Adopted

  11. Private Equity Funds and Venture Capital Funds Attract Major Investors

  12. Private Equity and Private Credit Investments Become Available to Individuals and Retirement Accounts

  13. Individual Investors Impact Markets

  14. Annuity Account Managers Create New Product Strategies

  15. Stock Exchanges Evolve/High Speed Technologies Force Massive Changes/Texas Stock Exchange (TXSE) Set to Launch

  16. Financial Technology (FinTech) and AI Enable Online Payments, Lending, Insurance and Robo Advisors

  17. Artificial Intelligence (AI) Powers Hedge Fund Investment Strategies

  18. Cryptocurrencies and Blockchain Explained

  19. Investment Product Facts

Plunkett Research Provides In-Depth Tables for the Following Investment & Asset Management Industry Statistics

  1. Investment & Securities Industry Statistics and Market Size Overview

  2. Sales, Profits & Stockholders' Equity, All Manufacturing Corporations, U.S.: 1990-Q3 2025

  3. Estimated Ownership of U.S. Treasury Securities: 2016-2024

  4. Public Debt Securities Held by Private Investors, U.S.: 1985 - June 2025

  5. Average Interest Rates of 3-Month & 10-Year U.S. Treasuries: 1990-2025

  6. Retirement Benefits in the U.S.: Access, Participation and Take-Up Rates, March 2025

  7. Employment in the Investment & Securities Industry, U.S.: 2019 - October 2025

  8. Securities, Commodity Contracts & Other Financial Investment Activities, Estimated Revenue for Employer Firms, U.S.: 2020-2025

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This industry onlyPublication date: Feb 2026
ISBN-13: 978-1-64788-590-8
ISBN-13: 978-1-64788-098-9
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