Happy Sunday, and welcome to Benzinga’s financial advisor newsletter.

Today we're talking about private investments when it comes to saving for retirement. According to a new survey, nearly half of participants say they would invest in private assets if they had the option to do so. In addition, a surprising amount of participants say they would increase their contributions if private investments were available.

Plus, a look back at the last week of market activity.

Table of Contents

• Industry Chatter

• Weekly Market Recap

• The Week Ahead

INDUSTRY CHATTER

New Survey Reveals More Americans Want Private Investments In Their Retirement Plans

Private equity and private debt are starting to catch the attention of everyday retirement savers. Whether they are participating in 401K, 403b or 457 plans, the interest and demand continues to grow.

According to Schroders' 2025 U.S. Retirement Survey, 45% of participants say they would invest in private assets if they had the option. That’s up from 36% just a year ago. What’s stands out even more is that 77% say they would increase their plan contributions if private investments were available.

So what does this mean for the industry?

First, there’s a clear gap between interest and access. Most plan participants don’t expect to see private assets show up in their retirement menus anytime soon. Only 30% think it’ll happen in the next five years. And yet, the desire is there — along with cryptocurrency — to diversify and generate higher returns.

While enthusiasm is rising, understanding is still shallow. Just 12% of respondents consider themselves “very knowledgeable” about private investments, and half say private assets sound risky. Most would prefer to dip their toes in the water as noted in the figures below:

• 51% would allocate less than 10% of workplace retirement assets to private assets

• 36% would allocate between 10-15% of workplace retirement assets to private assets

• 7% are unsure how much they would allocate to private assets

• 6% would allocate more than 15% of workplace retirement assets to private assets

This is where advisors can make a real impact with education and differentiating themselves from everyone else.

Whether or not clients have access to private investments in their 401(k), many are thinking about it and are hearing it from family and friends. They may not ask you directly, but they’re likely wondering: What are these, and should I care?

Even a brief conversation about the pros, cons, and suitability of private investments can add value. Particularly for Gen X and millennial clients, who are balancing long-term growth goals with a growing appetite for alternatives, clarity matters.

As access to private assets gradually expands in the retirement space, advisors who can speak confidently (and clearly) about them will be better positioned to guide clients through both the opportunities and the limitations.

WEEKLY MARKET RECAP

Wall Street Is At All-Time Highs, But Inflation Sends Warnings

Despite hitting fresh record highs midweek, U.S. equities lost steam by Friday as inflation indicators complicated the Federal Reserve's path forward on interest rates.

The Core Personal Consumption Expenditures price index — the Federal Reserve's preferred measure of underlying inflation — rose 2.9% year-over-year in July, the highest reading in five months.

Just a week earlier, Fed Chair Jerome Powell hinted that easing rates might soon be appropriate. But the new data reintroduces a layer of uncertainty on that timeline, especially as inflation remains above the Fed's 2% target.

Adding to economic headwinds, the U.S. goods trade deficit surged to $103.6 billion in July, up $18.7 billion from June and well above Wall Street forecasts of $89.5 billion. This marks the largest gap since March, when the deficit hit a record $162 billion.

The worsening balance underscores concerns that President Donald Trump's tariff policies may not be delivering the intended improvements to the trade balance.

Nvidia Corp. (NVDA) — the world's largest publicly traded company — struggled to lift markets despite posting strong quarterly results. The chipmaker topped Wall Street estimates on both revenue and earnings per share, but its forward guidance came in only modestly above expectations.

For investors used to blockbuster beats and aggressive outlooks from the AI bellwether, which helped drive this year's rally, the update fell short. Shares declined for a third straight week, extending the stock's recent losing streak.

MongoDB (MDB) and Snowflake (SNOW) were standout performers, rallying 40% and 20% respectively on the back of strong quarterly results and their growing relevance in the artificial intelligence landscape.

Cyclical sectors also extended gains, with Michigan-based automakers notching a positive August.

General Motors (GM) has climbed nearly 40% from its April lows, marking its second consecutive positive month. Ford (F) booked a fourth straight monthly gain, while Stellantis N.V. (STLA) rebounded after sinking to five-year lows in July.

Looking ahead, investors brace for September — historically the worst-performing month for markets. On Friday, Sept. 5, the key macroeconomic event will be the July jobs report, which could prove pivotal for interest rate expectations heading into the Fed's next meeting.

THE WEEK AHEAD

Salesforce, Figma, Broadcom, Lululemon and Zscaler report earnings, Fed Beige Book, Labor Day, and more

Economic Data

• Monday: Labor Day (Holiday)

• Tuesday: ISM manufacturing and construction spending

• Wednesday: Job openings, factory orders and Fed Beige Book

• Thursday: Initial jobless claims, ISM services, and oil inventories

• Friday: U.S. unemployment, hourly wages and nonfarm payrolls

Earnings

• Monday: KT Corporation (KT), PACS Group (PACS), TORO (TORO)

• Tuesday: Nio (NIO), Zscaler (ZS), Academy Sports (ASO)

• Wednesday: Salesforce (CRM), Figma (FIG), Dollar Tree (DLTR)

• Thursday: Broadcom (AVGO), Copart (CPR), Lululemon (LULU)

• Friday: ABM Industries (ABM), The Children’s Place (PLCE)

Click here for the full calendar of economic data and earnings reports.

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