The investible universe, and how investors access it, has expanded. Market and economic shifts, and tech advances are prompting investors to reconsider how they build portfolios. Read on for the trends shaping investment products in 2026.
Convergence. Convenience. Data & technology at scale
Overview
The investment industry is embarking on a dynamic era in product innovation. This era is expanding the investible universe, creating both opportunity and complexity amidst an increasingly complicated environment – underscoring the need to deliver high-quality products that effectively meet investor needs.
We identify three key trends emerging across the investment industry:
- Advances in data and technology: These rapidly evolving trends are transforming what and how to invest.
- Convergence across asset classes: Investors are looking to a broader, converging universe to find diversification and returns.
- Demand for convenience: Investors are seeking more convenient ways to access investments and manage portfolios.
3 trends shaping the product industry in 2026
Advances in data and technology
The explosion in data availability, coupled with new ways to analyze data sets, has opened up dynamic, precise ways to index the market, with the indexation of private markets emerging as the next frontier. Active investors are leveraging large language models, advanced machine learning techniques, and scalable tools to gather insights, build portfolio simulations, and generate alpha more efficiently.
Time needed for 5-year daily global equity simulation
Source: BlackRock as of June 29, 2025.
A key advancement is how investors are incorporating AI to efficiently find alpha and build portfolios.
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