Dutch institutional investors rely mostly on data providers

Research by Aureum Y finds a high reliance on colleagues and financial media as well 

Key points: 

• Data providers, colleagues and financial media are the most popular sources of information about investment strategies and managers for Dutch institutional investors. 

• Since 2019, the reliance on data providers and financial media has increased the most, while the use of investment consultants has dropped from 73% in 2019 to only 23% in 2024. 

• Half of respondents listen to podcasts with 38% listening at least once a week. 

Data providers, colleagues and financial media are the most popular sources of information about investment strategies and managers for Dutch institutional investors, according to research by Aureum Y, Fundamental Group’s research division. 

Since 2019, the reliance on data providers and financial media has increased the most, while the use of investment consultants has dropped from 73% in 2019 to only 23% in 2024. When selecting asset managers, fees, performance and ESG approach are the top three criteria for discarding unsuitable asset managers and creating a short list, while the top three decisive factors to select the winner are performance, fees and strategy/investment process.  

From August to October 2024, we surveyed 46 institutional investors in the Netherlands about their investment views, satisfaction with asset managers and media consumption. The Netherlands report is part of our institutional investors research, which also includes reports on Germany, the US, the UK, France and Switzerland. 

Asset managers are also an important source of information, with most respondents relying on them to a large extend, but most of them would prefer more support on investment strategies, market trends and ESG.  

Dutch institutional investors prefer tailored, targeted communications with fixed points of contact and frequent relevant updates, the use of simple, straightforward language and a focus on key points with clear explanations of returns, costs and risks.  

How has the media consumption of Dutch institutional investors changed? 

More than half of respondents still receive print media at the office, 9% receive them at home and 32% stated they do not read any print publications at all. However, the majority of publications are read online.  

Half of respondents listen to podcasts with 38% listening at least once a week. Meanwhile, 74% of respondents read newsletters at least a few times a week with 53% reading them daily.  

LinkedIn is by far the most used social media, followed by WhatsApp. LinkedIn also stands out as the platform that is most popular to read and watch content from asset managers.