Deloitte Releases 2026 Investment Management Outlook
In the 2026 Investment Management Outlook, Deloitte highlights anticipated trends for the new year which include a renewed focus on ETFs, increasing access for retail investors to private markets, and further investment in AI technology and talent. The report notes “[w]hile passive ETFs still account for the majority of inflows, active ETFs are playing a more prominent role. Their share of total ETF net inflows in the United States rose—from just 1% in 2014 to 26% in 2024—highlighting a growing preference for investment vehicles that combine professional active management with the structural benefits of ETFs.” The report emphasizes that ETFs carry their own operational burdens and require distinct back-office capabilities that fund managers would need to invest in.
The report also highlights that 2026 will bring increased access to alternative investments, which likely includes options for 401(k) plan participants. The Trump Administration, through an Executive Order, is requiring the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Department of Labor to examine ways to increase access to private markets for retail investors. The report states “With these actions from the SEC and Department of Labor, we anticipate that collective investment trusts (CITs), as well as registered interval funds through which private funds can be packaged for investment at the individual level, may be the preferred vehicles for offering alternative investments within 401(k)s.”
The report also touches on AI and the increased demand for advanced technology capabilities for investment management employees. The report states “[f]irms are increasingly elevating technology-centric and interdisciplinary roles—spanning data science, artificial intelligence, liberal arts-informed communication, and specialized product expertise—reflecting a broader reassessment of which capabilities will likely define success in the years ahead.”
Click here to read Deloitte’s 2026 Investment Management Outlook.