When stock markets first started, they were aimed primarily at wealthy individuals and a few institutions. In many ways that has never changed, because people should be investing with their savings. If you have limited savings, it is difficult to invest. Over the years, companies have tried to make it easier for individuals to invest – Merrill Lynch was known for reaching out to individuals and with innovations such as buying partial shares, buying shares for the company you work for, individuals remain important. The big money is instutions.

In an article from Reuters, sovereign wealth and pension investors poured $132 billion or roughly half of their investments in 2025 into US stock markets. The pension plans, sovereign wealth funds and central banks have over $60 trillion in assets under administration.

Sovereign wealth fund assets reached $15 trillion, according to a report by Global SWF. The strength of the stock markets sent overall sovereign wealth fund investments up 35% to $179.3 billion.

With all the money coming into the US, stock markets in China, India, Indonesia and Saudi Arabia saw less money going into their stock markets. About 15% allocation but down 24% from 2024.

Private credit markets are adding more to emerging market including adding 11 new sovereign funds launched during the year originated in emerging markets. The price of oil speeds up or slows down savings in the Middle East.

Linking to dividend paying stocks, all over the world, investors are seeking good investments and as the markets do well, so does institutional money. For public pensions, it can be holidays for adding new money, but the pensioners are rest assured they will receive their pensions. Individuals have advantages over institutions, but knowing institutions agree with you is an advantage for holding dividend paying stocks.

There are more questions than answers, till the next time – to raising questions.