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. French institutions are at the forefront of this trend. According to the survey, they report being exceptionally effective at harnessing back-office data, outperforming their global peers in five out of nine important tasks. Excellence in data management gives French institutions an edge when it comes to generating competitor intelligence or producing deeper insight on risk.

Similarly, French firms are ahead of their global peers when it comes to leveraging generative AI for strategic asset allocation in the front office (52 percent versus 46 percent). They are also more eager to partner with industry specialists, with 55 percent of French back-office respondents ready to outsource data management for risk management, versus an average of 47 percent globally.

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.