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. Italian institutions are already using data to support a range of front-office tasks. In particular, they are driving improved business returns by using data to define investment objectives. This is also an area where Italian firms are particularly excited about using GenAI. Seventy percent of the country’s respondents see AI providing the most value by helping to define investment objectives, far exceeding the global average of 61 percent.

The survey indicates that there are some areas where Italian institutions need to invest more in their data strategies, however. For example, 59 percent of front-office respondents in Italy are focused on improving their use of data in capital markets and security-level research.

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.