In this, our fourth annual investor survey, we queried 345 investors and analysts across geographies, asset classes and investment approaches to learn more about their expectations for the companies they invest in and cover. Through the survey and follow-up interviews with investment professionals, we explored perspectives on global threats, the promises and challenges of technology and generative AI (GenAI), what quantitative and qualitative information professionals would like companies to provide, and their trust in management. (Read more on our methodology.)
Other key findings
Reinvention imperative: Innovation and new ways of doing business continue to be top of mind for investors. More than 70% of investors identify technological change as the most important factor compelling companies to change the way they create, deliver and capture value. Nearly two-thirds of investors also say it is very or extremely important that companies innovate in response to government regulation, changes in customer preferences and supply chain instability. And half or more say the same of competitor actions, geopolitics and demographic shifts.
Technology and artificial intelligence: A large majority of investors remain optimistic about the promise of GenAI, especially regarding scalability, measuring return on investment (ROI), workforce impact, stakeholder perception and capital expenditure (where respondents are more than twice as likely to perceive it as an opportunity than a challenge). Nearly three-quarters of investors also indicate that the companies should moderately (42%) or significantly (31%) increase their investments to deploy AI at scale.
Climate transition and adaptation: Amid increasing scrutiny in some countries or territories on company investment in sustainability, 50% of investors say that it is very or extremely important that companies change the way they create, deliver and capture value in response to climate change. A further 26% describe such changes as at least moderately important. Moreover, 71% of investors agree that companies should incorporate ESG/sustainability directly into their corporate strategy—a level similar to what we found last year. A third agree or strongly agree that companies should make expenditures that address ESG/sustainability issues relevant to their business, even if it reduces short-term profitability—and a further 35% somewhat agree.
Trust through communication: Notably, about two-thirds of investors trust management boards to make decisions for the long term, to make decisions consistent with the company’s purpose and values, to guide their companies through a crisis, and to address shareholder interests. Additionally, 86% of investors agree that the agility of a company to manage through a crisis is an important factor in their investment decision-making.
These four key findings suggest actions companies should take to address the issues that matter most to investors. We’ll explore each in more detail below.
