Observed Signal · Oct 20, 2026 · Research Report · Source: Retail-News · Impact: 1/5 · Sentiment: Neutral
McKinsey: Global Assets Reach $165T, ETF Boom Drives Growth
According to a McKinsey study, global assets under management reached a new high of $165 trillion in H1 2026, up from $151 trillion at the end of 2025. Net inflows are projected to grow by 5% annually, the highest in a decade. European ETFs saw strong inflows, with $255 billion raised in H1 alone, nearly matching the previous full year. However, market concentration is increasing, with the top five ETF providers in the US capturing 94% of net inflows, and the top ten private credit funds accounting for 72%. Technology spending by asset managers rose 13% to $41 billion in 2025, driven by IT modernization and AI investments, which currently add costs before delivering significant savings. McKinsey concludes that growth in assets does not automatically translate into higher profitability, and firms must focus on specialization and efficient tech investment.
News about asset management industry is only tangentially relevant to AdTech/MarTech. The mention of AI investments is not specific to marketing or advertising.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- Global assets under management reached $165 trillion in H1 2026, up from $151 trillion at end of 2025.
- European ETFs attracted $255 billion in net inflows in H1 2026, nearly matching the previous full year.
- In the US, the top five passive ETF providers captured 94% of net inflows, up 8 percentage points from five years ago.
- Technology spending by North American and Western European asset managers rose 13% to $41 billion in 2025.
- McKinsey projects 5% organic growth for 2026, the highest in a decade.
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