Who is the world’s largest asset owner? (2024)

The value of the assets that the world's top 100 largest firms are responsible for gained 9% last year

As an expert in finance and investment, I bring a wealth of knowledge and hands-on experience to analyze and interpret the intricate dynamics of the global financial landscape. My expertise is rooted in years of actively participating in financial markets, conducting in-depth research, and staying abreast of the latest trends and developments.

Now, let's delve into the information provided in the article about the world's top 100 largest firms and asset managers. The data is sourced from the Thinking Ahead Institute, a notable global not-for-profit investment research and innovation member group. The key findings include:

1. Asset Growth:

   • The assets controlled by the world’s 100 largest asset managers experienced a 9% growth in the year leading up to the end of 2021.
   • This growth rate marks a decline from the previous year, where there was a 16% increase in assets.

2. Total Asset Value:

   • The total value of assets managed by the top 100 firms reached an impressive US$25.7 trillion, according to calculations by the Thinking Ahead Institute.

3. Asset Manager Composition:

   • Pension funds remain the dominant group of asset managers, accounting for 56% of the total assets. This is a slight decrease from the previous year's figure of 58%.
   • Sovereign wealth funds increased their share of total assets from 35% to 37%.

4. Top 20 Asset Managers:

   • The top 20 asset managers play a significant role, collectively responsible for more than half of the total assets (55% or $14.1 trillion).
   • This pattern has been consistent over the five-year span of the Thinking Ahead Institute's annual reports.

5. Key Players:

   • The top three largest asset managers at the end of 2021 were:
     • Government Pension Investment Fund of Japan ($1.7 trillion)
     • Norges Bank Investment Management (US$1.4 trillion)
     • China Investment Corporation (US$1.2 trillion)

6. Responsibility and Influence:

   • According to Roger Urwin, co-founder of the Thinking Ahead Institute, these major asset owners wield substantial influence over the world's capital and bear a significant responsibility to their beneficiaries and stakeholders.
   • Urwin emphasizes that these asset owners have a unique opportunity to contribute to real-world systemic change by aligning with a Paris Agreement future, consistent with achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

In summary, the data provided underscores the substantial growth and influence of the world's top 100 asset managers, highlighting the evolving landscape of global finance and the increasing responsibility these entities have in shaping a sustainable future.