What is a Universal Asset Owner?
Posted on 12/09/2022
A Universal Asset Owner, also called a Universal Owner, are institutional investors that are so large and invest in so many securities and assets that they are a representative component of financial markets. Universal asset owners have a difficult time diversifying from systemic risks.
Universal asset owners are also known to advocate on positions to policymakers to indirectly influence their investment portfolios.
Examples of universal asset owners include sovereign wealth funds, large public pensions, and large mutual funds. Specific examples of these investors include Norway Government Pension Fund Global and Japan’s Government Pension Investment Fund. For example, in 2022, Norway Government Pension Fund Global approximately owns 1.3% of all listed stocks.