Investment trends that helped shape 2025

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Volatility has been a major storyline this year.

Several of the largest AI-related companies now have valuations in the trillions, with little to no profit to show for it. Many experts worry about over-concentration and hear echoes of the dot-com bubble.

Announced in April, President Donald Trump’s reciprocal tariffs immediately caused markets to tumble in one of their worst days in years. Months later, many sectors are still struggling.

Meanwhile, in the background, inflation has proved to be a stubborn foe, ballooning prices everywhere. After cooling off somewhat during the first months of the year, consumers have seen it creeping back.

That’s not to say it was all bad news. Markets hit some major milestones throughout 2025. However, the record highs didn’t come without some major lows.

This lack of stability had many advisors steering clients back to proven strategies. While these may be less attractive than the quick gains to be made on the flashiest stocks in the market, they do provide peace of mind for client portfolios.

READ MORE: Tech serving higher-value clients beats expanding capacity: Kitces

But, there was still room for innovation in investment management. For example, alternative assets are rising in prominence and availability. The so-called “democratization of alts” is well underway.

Here are five major investment strategy trends that helped shape wealth management in 2025: