$7.4trn and rising: Asset management's rush to private markets

Value in private equity could hit $13trn by 2025

Several large name asset managers have recently declared their intention to lead the way on democratising access to private markets and offer retail investors an avenue to invest in high value companies, which together account for $7.4trn and are set to grow further.

However, this seemingly noble goal is tarnished as industry commentators are quick to highlight that investment trusts have been a long-standing way to gain access and can do so without the liquidity concerns. Why the rush? Is there room for everyone? And why are over half of private equity investment trusts trading on double digit discounts? Last week, BlackRock announced it was expanding its partnership with iCapital to increase access to its private markets product range. The week before Schroders brought its private markets strategies under a single brand and revealed plans for ne...