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BlackRock Study: Global Insurers are Future-Proofing Portfolios Amidst Shifting Markets
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BlackRock's 11th annual Global Insurance Report reveals that global insurers are adapting their investment strategies amidst market volatility. Notably, 79% of insurers plan to reassess their long-term strategic asset allocations while 68% are prioritizing technology for risk management. Adoption of fixed income ETFs is on the rise, aimed at enhancing liquidity and yield. Additionally, over two-thirds intend to integrate ESG targets into their portfolios within the next 24 months, signaling a significant trend toward sustainability in investing.
Positive
79% of insurers are reviewing long-term strategic asset allocations, indicating proactive investment strategies.
68% plan technology investments for better risk management, enhancing operational efficiency.
Growing interest in fixed income ETFs for liquidity and yield, with potential assets under management reaching $5 trillion by 2030.
Negative
None.
Incorporation of ESG and climate considerations into the investment process is growing in prominence amongst insurers
68% of respondents are prioritizing investment in technology for risk management at scale
Growing adoption of fixed income ETFs to help manage liquidity and seek enhanced yield
79% of insurers surveyed plan to review their long-term strategic asset allocation (SAA)
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Globalinsurers are innovating their investment approaches amidst rapidly changing market conditions this year, focusing on resilient portfolio construction, liquidity management, and integrated technology, according to BlackRock’s 11th annual Global Insurance Report. The firm surveyed 370 insurance investors across 26 markets, representing nearly $28 trillion USD in assets under management.
Charles Hatami, Global Head of BlackRock’s Financial Institutions Group, said, “The current investment landscape is a result of major upheaval over the past two years, and uncertainty is only expected to increase. The insurance clients with whom we partner understand that innovation at scale and a nimble approach will be critical to navigate the complexity ahead.”
Accelerated portfolio reviews to balance risk and liquidity
Seventy-nine percent of insurers surveyed plan to review their long-term strategic asset allocation (SAA) and nearly half (48%) will review risk appetite thresholds this year. Most insurers (60%) reported inflation as their top market concern, with asset price volatility (59%) and liquidity (58%) close behind. To further diversify their portfolios, most insurers (87%) plan to increase allocations to private investments over the next two years, which would represent a 3% average increase versus their current allocation. Insurers also plan to increase allocations to liquid assets, suggesting a barbell approach, with 37% of respondents intending to allocate to cash and 31% to fixed income.
Lyenda Delp, Head of BlackRock's Financial Institutions Group for the Americas, said, “Insurers maintain a sustained appetite for risk assets, but as we move on from a long period of steady growth and inflation to the new regime of heightened macro and market volatility, their goals are more dynamic than a search for yield or general diversification. On a whole portfolio basis, insurers are now re-evaluating the role that every asset class must play to build in resilience.”
Focused on an integrated approach to ESG and climate investing
More than two-thirds of the survey respondents reported they are either likely or very likely to implement broad ESG targets in their portfolios in the next 24 months. In addition, 85% reported they are either likely or very likely to commit to specific climate objectives for their portfolio. Sixty- two percent of insurers surveyed see decision making related to sustainability as a major trend shaping their industry in the coming years. The right technologies and tools will be critical for insurers to ensure consistency across sustainability analytics, with applications including regulatory disclosure and reporting, through to evaluating investment allocations.
Continued innovation in risk management: from digital transformation to ETFs
Sixty-five percent of insurers reported digital transformation and technology as the most important trend in the insurance industry over the next 12-24 months, compared to 44% in 2021. Nearly all (98%) reported using artificial intelligence, machine learning, predictive analytics, blockchain, or a combination of these technologies, with predictive analytics being utilized both for the management of insurance business (65%) and investment operations (72%). When it comes to future tech spend, the vast majority of insurers surveyed plan to prioritize investments for asset and liability management (68%), along with regulatory compliance (54%) and market data (53%).
The insurers surveyed are also driving adoption of new investment approaches such as bond ETFs. Insurers report they plan to increase the use of fixed income ETFs in their portfolios, primarily to potentially improve liquidity (54%) and yield (48%). According to BlackRock research, eight of the ten largest US insurers now report using bond ETFs, with five having adopted them after the volatile markets of March 2020.1 And so far this year, BlackRock has identified 17 insurers throughout Europe, the Middle East, and Africa who are using ETFs for the first time.2 Given fixed income ETFs are often seen as efficient vehicles to generate yield and income in a low-cost and scalable way, BlackRock recently forecast that global bond ETF assets under management could reach $5 trillion USD by 20303 – and insurance investors are a major driver of this new approach.
About the BlackRock Global Insurance Survey
The BlackRock Global Insurance Survey, now in its eleventh year, provides industry-leading insight into the thinking and plans of the global insurance industry through independently conducted online and telephone interviews of senior insurance executives across the globe. This year’s survey conducted in June-July 2022 encapsulates the views of 370 senior industry executives in 26 markets. Taken together these companies represent investable assets of approximately US$28tn. The associated interactive report complements the global findings with regional results, comments from industry peers and insights from BlackRock experts.
About BlackRock
BlackRock’s purpose is to help more and more people experience financial well-being. As a fiduciary to investors and a leading provider of financial technology, we help millions of people build savings that serve them throughout their lives by making investing easier and more affordable. For additional information on BlackRock, please visit www.blackrock.com/corporate
1 S&P Global Intelligence, BlackRock analysis of filings with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (as of April 2022).
2 BlackRock - New users are defined as investors allocation to ETFs in 2022 following at least 3 years on non-usage.
3 BlackRock - Estimated May 2022.
Important information
This communication is for information purposes only and does not constitute a financial promotion, marketing communication or an offer or invitation to anyone to invest in any BlackRock funds and has not been prepared in connection with any such offer. Accordingly, this material does not constitute an offer or solicitation by anyone in any jurisdiction in which such offer or solicitation is not lawful or in which the person making such offer or solicitation is not qualified to do so or to anyone to whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation. It is your responsibility to be aware of the applicable laws and regulations of your country of residence.
