The ability to manage and generate insights from vast quantities of data becomes critical in an investment climate that is volatile and uncertain. Building on our previous research on data use and management, our industry survey of more than 900 asset managers, asset owners, insurers and wealth managers reveals why investing in advanced data strategies is an increasingly important priority for the industry.

Many firms see HDS as a strategic imperative with significant economic benefits, enabling them to respond rapidly to new market conditions, customer needs or evolving regulatory requirements. German institutions show strong momentum in adopting data-driven strategies. Half of German respondents in the survey expect to have a data strategy in place within the next two to three years, double the global average of 25 percent. This reveals how German firms are prioritizing the need to strengthen their data capabilities to compete in today’s challenging market environment.

German firms are also ahead of their peers at harnessing the power of AI to support strategic decision-making in the front office. Almost three-quarters (73 percent) of them report that GenAI is delivering the most value in defining investment objectives, ahead of the global average of 61 percent.

The country’s institutions are also adept at using data to improve their oversight of external managers. Half of German respondents (50 percent) rate their ability to use data to assess external managers and their strategies as “very good,” significantly above the global average of 42 percent.

The report goes on to reveal how firms in different regions are working towards a HDS. It provides insight into how leaders in HDS expect to boost investment returns, increase revenues and deliver significant cost savings for their organizations. It also shows where firms are prioritizing their technology investments to deliver an enduring competitive advantage.