About three-quarters (73 per cent) of global institutional investors have a positive outlook for 2026, according to a new survey from the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan.
The survey, which gathered responses from 1,270 investors, found 81 per cent of respondents think 2026 will be a particularly good year for private markets despite rising concerns about geopolitical tensions and market volatility.
Read: Growing risk concerns pushing institutional investors to private markets: report
Canada-based investors view technological change (83 per cent) and the private markets environment (81 per cent) as the most favourable factors in their 2026 investment outlook. Meanwhile, investors in the U.S. were the most bullish of the bunch with 81 per cent expressing a positive outlook for 2026, an increase from 64 per cent the year before.
Almost nine in 10 (86 per cent) investors said they’re encouraged by the pace of technological change driven by the artificial intelligence race and continued demand for advanced technology services.
The majority (98 per cent) said they’re reviewing the use of embedding AI capabilities in their businesses, while 30 per cent are interested in leveraging the technology to help make investment decisions.
“All nine of the countries captured in the survey list private markets as one of their top two most favourable aspects of the investment environment, with the U.S., U.K. and India among the most positive,” the report said.
Read: U.S. institutional investors increasing private market exposure, leaving ESG behind: report