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Download the full report

2025 Global Institutional
Investor Survey

EQuilibrium

Dive into this year's themes and uncover insights that are shaping the future of institutional investing.

Nuveen’s fifth annual global survey of 800 institutional investors examines how evolving perspectives on markets, geopolitics and energy transition are influencing asset allocation decisions, particularly in private markets.

How institutions are navigating opportunity and uncertainty in 2025

Higher conviction meets calculated risk:

Institutions are embracing a more confident, risk-on approach, driven by changing macro conditions and shifting rate expectations.

Markets

39% are planning to decrease their cash exposure in 2025

Jump to Markets

Private markets continue to shape the evolution of institutional portfolios, with significant planned increases across private equity, credit, infrastructure and real estate.


Portfolios

92% of investors now hold both private equity and private credit, compared to 45% in 2021

Jump to Portfolios

Different motivations are driving climate actions, with some investors focused on net zero targets and others drawn by compelling risk-return opportunities.

Environment

64% of institutions without net zero commitments still invest in clean energy or carbon reduction strategies

Jump to Environment

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Balancing boldness with caution

Markets –

1

(800 survey respondents in 2024 and 2025).

In the next 12 months, indicate the directional changes you will be making in your portfolio(s) in the following areas.

Investors are taking cash off the sidelines and reengaging with risk

Institutions are becoming more comfortable adding exposure to risk markets. This year’s sentiment reflects a more decisive approach, with institutions making targeted tactical adjustments, taking cash off the sidelines and reengaging with risk. Over the past few years, institutions have increasingly prioritized internal agility, with many refining their operations and decision-making processes. This internal focus has strengthened their ability to pursue growth opportunities with conviction in the face of uncertainty.

Investors embrace risk as conviction rises

U.K. public pension, CIO

Geopolitical risks are the biggest ‘known unknown.’ We’re mindful of tariffs and the potential for economic disruptions but cautiously optimistic about a resolution in Europe’s energy crisis.

This year’s reading of 63 reflects greater-than-normal uncertainty, but it has declined from last year’s reading of 69. Notably, uncertainty readings are consistent across regions and investor types.

Measuring uncertainty with the Nuveen Institutional Investor Uncertainty Barometer

While confidence is improving, geopolitical risks remain a top concern for institutions, significantly influencing market dynamics and investment decisions. Reflecting this, institutions are:

  • Assessing the adaptability of companies and sectors to changing regulations.
  • Evaluating direct and indirect country exposures, including supply chains.
  • Adjusting sector exposures with both defensive and opportunistic strategies.
  • Reevaluating overall portfolio diversification to mitigate risk.

Uncertainty eases but risks linger

The barometer reflects answers to questions about investors’ levels of uncertainty across four key market drivers — geopolitics, capital markets, economic growth, and monetary and fiscal policy. We combined the answers and scored them from zero (much lower than normal uncertainty) to 100 (much higher than normal uncertainty) where 50 indicates an expected, normal level of uncertainty. The overall barometer reading is the average of all 800 scores.

Download the full report

Portfolios –

Private markets power the new era of portfolio construction

2

(800 global respondents, 164 U.S., 91 U.K., 67 Germany, 57 Japan. Data may not sum to 100 due to rounding.)

Based on the list below, please select the alternative investments you are currently allocated to and how you plan to adjust allocations over the next two (2) years.

Allocation plans across alternative asset classes

Private markets continue to dominate the institutional agenda, with significant planned increases in private equity, credit, infrastructure and real estate. Over 90% of investors now hold both private equity and private credit, compared with 45% in our first survey in 2021, highlighting the meaningful rise in private markets usage over the past five years.

Private infrastructure and private real estate saw the largest year-over-year increases in allocations (15% and 13%, respectively). Within real estate, data centers have emerged as a top priority, with 65% of investors planning to increase allocations to real estate focusing on this sector, driven by the surge in demand for digital infrastructure.

Private markets reshape portfolios

German insurer, head of strategy

We invest in forestry and agriculture because they are truly uncorrelated to
public markets. Private infrastructure debt is also a good fit for our portfolio because we have long-dated liabilities to match.

U.S. PUBLIC PENSION, INVESTMENT OFFICER

“Private credit remains a standout for us, particularly more unique approaches. We’re focusing on strategies that offer value-add beyond traditional cash pay — such as equity kickers and warrants — while maintaining conservative financing structures. The risk-reward trade-off has been compelling.”

(355 global survey respondents, 122 North America, 147 EMEA, 86 APAC. Multiple answers allowed.)

Percent of investors who plan to increase allocations to the following private fixed income investments over the next two years

Fixed income changes align with risk-on sentiment

Investors are gravitating toward higher-yield, higher-risk fixed income opportunities in 2025, with private fixed income leading the way — particularly in infrastructure and real estate debt. This marks a shift from last year when investment-grade fixed income was the top priority across both public and private markets.

Nearly half of respondents report expanding into new niche areas within private credit allocations, such as energy infrastructure credit and fund finance (e.g., NAV lending).

Download the full report

Environmental priorities in focus

Environment –

3

agree that rising energy demands will require both brown and green energy sources for the foreseeable future.

%

43

The transition to a low-carbon economy is inevitable.

To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement?

Investors are adopting a more balanced view of the energy transition, recognizing the need for both brown and green energy assets to meet global energy demands. This pragmatic approach is underscored by the fact that 73% of respondents agree that near-term energy needs cannot be met without incorporating both traditional and renewable energy sources.

While fewer investors now view the low-carbon transition as inevitable — 61% compared to 79% in our 2022 survey — the commitment to clean energy remains strong.

Balancing pragmatism and progress

U.S. insurer, portfolio manager

The energy transition is a multi-year if not a multi-decade project. Any new capacity should be mostly renewable, but it doesn't mean you eliminate all traditional sources. We should eliminate coal-fired power plants, but oil and gas-fired turbines need to be phased out in a systematic way.

Interim milestones are gaining traction: Nearly half of institutions with net zero goals have set interim 2030 targets, while 37% have established 2025 benchmarks to guide short-term progress. The vast majority of investors with 2025 goals (95%) say they are on track or partially on track to meet those targets.

investing/planning to invest in carbon reduction and clean energy strategies

%

53

Most institutions are prioritizing clean energy and carbon reduction, either as part of net zero goals or to capture compelling risk-return opportunities.

Overall, 44% of institutions have net zero commitments while another 25% plan to in the coming 12 months.

Even among the roughly 30% who do not intend to set net zero commitments, the majority (64%) say they are still investing in clean energy strategies or reducing carbon in their portfolios.

Clean energy goals meet opportunities

Download the full report

(352 respondents for 2025 interim goals; 548 respondents for 2030 interim goals)

Do you have or plan to have 2025 or 2030 interim net zero goals for your portfolio(s)?

Interim net zero goals for investors who have or are planning net zero commitments

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The views and opinions expressed are for informational and educational purposes only, as of the date of production/writing and may change without notice at any time based on numerous factors, such as market or other conditions, legal and regulatory developments, additional risks and uncertainties and may not come to pass. This material may contain “forward-looking” information that is not purely historical in nature. Such information may include, among other things, projections, forecasts, estimates of market returns, and proposed or expected portfolio composition. Any changes to assumptions that may have been made in preparing this material could have a material impact on the information presented herein by way of example.

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Investing involves risk; loss of principle is possible.

All information has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but its accuracy is not guaranteed. There is no representation or warranty as to the current accuracy, reliability or completeness of, nor liability for, decisions based on such information and it should not be relied on as such.

Risks and other important considerations

This material is presented for informational purposes only and may change in response to changing economic and market conditions. This material is not intended to be a recommendation or investment advice, does not constitute a solicitation to buy or sell securities, and is not provided in a fiduciary capacity. The information provided does not take into account the specific objectives or circumstances of any particular investor, or suggest any specific course of action. Financial professionals should independently evaluate the risks associated with products or services and exercise independent judgment with respect to their clients. Certain products and services may not be available to all entities or persons. Past performance is not indicative
of future results.

Economic and market forecasts are subject to uncertainty and may change based on varying market conditions, political and economic developments. As an asset class, real assets are less developed, more illiquid, and less transparent compared to traditional asset classes. Investments will be subject to risks generally associated with the ownership of real estate-related assets and foreign investing, including changes in economic conditions, currency values, environmental risks, the cost of and ability to obtain insurance, and risks related to leasing of properties.

This information does not constitute investment research, as defined under MiFID.

Responsible investing incorporates Environmental Social Governance (ESG) factors that may affect exposure to issuers, sectors, industries, limiting the type and number of investment opportunities available, which could result in excluding investments that perform well.
 
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