Key Takeaways

  • For private and alternative assets, the new regime highlighted throughout our 2026 CMA has two critical implications: first, higher nominal discount rates structurally cap valuation multiples, compressing the gains from the multiple expansion that defined the previous decades; and second, income and operational value creation remain at the driving seat of return generation.

  • Headline returns remain attractive versus liquid counterparts, but illiquidity and complexity premia are less generous than a decade ago, raising the bar for manager selection and vintage discipline.

  • Starting from this year, we have decided to harmonise the returns of private and alternative assets moving them to a net of fees standard to make them comparable with liquid assets. 

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