Largest asset owners in $26 trillion record

Rhea-AI Summary

As of November 30, 2022, WTW's latest research reveals that the world's top 100 asset owners now manage US$25.7 trillion in assets, a 9% increase from the previous year. Pension funds dominate, controlling 56% of these assets, while sovereign wealth funds hold 37%. The largest asset owner remains Japan's Government Pension Investment Fund with US$1.7 trillion. This research emphasizes the significant influence of these asset owners in global capital markets and their potential to drive systemic change towards achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

Positive

• Total assets managed by the top 100 asset owners increased by 9% to US$25.7 trillion.
• Pension funds still hold a major share at 56% of total assets.
• Sovereign wealth funds have increased their share to 37%.

Negative

• Pension funds' market share decreased from 58% to 56%.

ARLINGTON, Va., Nov. 30, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The world’s 100 largest asset owners are now responsible for US$25.7 trillion, according to new research by leading global advisory, broking and solutions company WTW’s (NASDAQ: WTW) the Thinking Ahead Institute.

The research, in its fifth year, reveals total assets among the largest organizations have grown by 9%, as of the end of 2021, down from 16% growth over the previous year.

Pension funds remain the single biggest group of asset owners in the global study, controlling 56% of total assets, although this has fallen from 58% the previous year. By contrast, sovereign wealth funds have seen their share rise comfortably above one-third, to 37%, up from 35% the previous year.

The Government Pension Investment Fund of Japan remains the largest asset owner in the world (US$1.7 trillion) followed by the two largest sovereign wealth funds: Norges Bank Investment Management (US$1.4 trillion) and China Investment Corporation (US$1.2 trillion).

The top 20 asset owners are responsible for US$14.1 trillion, or the majority (55%) of the top 100. This level of concentration has persisted since its inception, although individual asset owners have moved within the ranking.

Roger Urwin, co-founder of the Thinking Ahead Institute, said: “These big asset owners control the world’s most influential capital and hold great responsibility and growing influence in relation to their beneficiaries, and to a widening group of stakeholders.

“The research highlights that many of these asset owners act as universal owners — long-term, leadership-minded holders of portfolios that are exposed to the entire market and economy — and have a distinctive opportunity to contribute to real-world systemic change by contributing to a Paris-aligned future, consistent with net-zero emissions by 2050.”

AO 100 ranking

Rank	Fund	Market	Total assets (US$ million)
1.	Government Pension Investment	Japan	$1,730,900
2.	Norges Bank Investment Management	Norway	$1,402,000
3.	China Investment Corporation	China	$1,222,000
4.	SAFE Investment Company	China	$980,000
5.	Abu Dhabi Investment Authority	United Arab Emirates	$829,000
6.	National Pension	South Korea	$797,968
7.	Federal Retirement Thrift	U.S.	$774,176
8.	GIC Private Limited	Singapore	$744,000
9.	Kuwait Investment Authority	Kuwait	$738,000
10.	APG	Netherlands	$630,358
11.	Hong Kong Monetary Authority Investment Portfolio	Hong Kong	$587,000
12.	California Public Employees	U.S.	$496,820
13.	Public Investment Fund/Sanabil Investments	Saudi Arabia	$480,000
14.	Qatar Investment Authority	Qatar	$445,000
15.	Canada Pension	Canada	$426,746
16.	National Social Security	China	$406,787
17.	Central Provident Fund	Singapore	$374,990
18.	Mercer	U.S.	$370,168
19.	CDPQ	Canada	$329,000
20.	California State Teachers	U.S.	$313,940

Notes to editors

Figures were the latest available as of March 31, 2022.
New sources of information were used for some countries in 2021.

About the Thinking Ahead Institute

The Thinking Ahead Institute was established in January 2015 and is a global not-for-profit investment research and innovation member group made up of engaged institutional asset owners and service providers committed to changing and improving the investment industry for the benefit of the end saver. It has over 55 members around the world and is an outgrowth of WTW Investments’ Thinking Ahead Group, which was set up in 2002.

About WTW

At WTW (NASDAQ: WTW), we provide data-driven, insight-led solutions in the areas of people, risk and capital. Leveraging the global view and local expertise of our colleagues serving 140 countries and markets, we help organizations sharpen their strategy, enhance organizational resilience, motivate their workforce and maximize performance.

Working shoulder to shoulder with our clients, we uncover opportunities for sustainable success—and provide perspective that moves you.

Learn more at wtwco.com

FAQ

What is the total asset value managed by the top 100 asset owners according to WTW?

The top 100 asset owners manage a total of US$25.7 trillion.

How much did total assets among the largest asset owners grow by in the latest WTW research?

The total assets grew by 9% as of the end of 2021.

What percentage of total assets do pension funds control according to WTW's findings?

Pension funds control 56% of total assets among the top 100 asset owners.

Which asset owner is ranked as the largest in the world?

The largest asset owner is Japan's Government Pension Investment Fund with US$1.7 trillion.

What significant trend was observed regarding sovereign wealth funds in WTW's research?

Sovereign wealth funds increased their share of total assets to 37%.