Nasdaq Investor Relations Intelligence

    7th Annual Global IR Issuer Pulse - Hero

    Nasdaq survey results

    7th Annual Global IR Issuer Pulse

    Discover key survey findings to assist investor relations professionals in navigating challenges, identifying opportunities and executing priorities in 2026.

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    Nasdaq IR Intelligence surveyed the corporate community in Q4 2025 to identify the key priorities and challenges influencing IR, and to gather perspectives on emerging practices and innovations for 2026 and beyond. Review the survey results and insights from nearly 700 corporate professionals across different sectors and market caps globally.

    Across regions, sectors and market capitalisations, two points are clear: investor relations professionals remain focused on deepening engagement with key stakeholders and utilising new technologies that can enhance their impact.

    Key findings

    Generative AI adoption has accelerated across investor relations teams

    More than half of investor relations professionals have already integrated AI or AI agents and systems into their workflows, a significant increase from 30% in 2024. Only 2% had no plans to use AI.

    Commonly reported practical applications included summarising peer and market events and supporting earnings preparation. Increasing interest across other processes reflects investor relations’ focus on scaling impact while operating with leaner resources.

    More than half of investor relations professionals have already integrated AI or AI agents and systems into their workflows, a significant increase from 30% in 2024. Only 2% had no plans to use AI.

    Commonly reported practical applications included summarising peer and market events and supporting earnings preparation. Increasing interest across other processes reflects investor relations’ focus on scaling impact while operating with leaner resources.

    51% of respondents have already embedded AI into their processes
    Broadening shareholder reach and composition remained a central focus

    Broadening shareholder reach and composition remained a central focus

    Nearly 45% of investor relations professionals cited enhancing engagement with new and/or existing shareholders as a top priority in 2026.

    While non-deal roadshows (NDRs) remained the primary method for targeting investors, fewer survey respondents identified them as their preferred approach compared with last year, indicating a growing desire to diversify engagement channels.

    Nearly 45% of investor relations professionals cited enhancing engagement with new and/or existing shareholders as a top priority in 2026.

    While non-deal roadshows (NDRs) remained the primary method for targeting investors, fewer survey respondents identified them as their preferred approach compared with last year, indicating a growing desire to diversify engagement channels.

    Greater focus on company-specific dynamics shaped equity stories

    Company-specific themes, including messaging, forecasting and new developments, emerged as the primary focus area. Conversely, 52% believed company-specific developments would be a tailwind in 2026.

    Investor relations professionals placed greater emphasis on clear articulation of strategy, performance drivers and forward execution to distinguish their equity story. 

    Company-specific themes, including messaging, forecasting and new developments, emerged as the primary focus area. Conversely, 52% believed company-specific developments would be a tailwind in 2026.

    Investor relations professionals placed greater emphasis on clear articulation of strategy, performance drivers and forward execution to distinguish their equity story. 

    73% of respondents anticipate company-specific dynamics will affect investor relations in 2026
    IR mandates expanded to include closer alignment with finance

    IR mandates expanded to include closer alignment with finance

    Investor relations professionals continued to be assigned responsibilities beyond the traditional IR function. While sustainability remained the most common additional remit, oversight of finance responsibilities more than doubled year on year.

    This development reflected increasing investor demands for closer alignment between financial performance, strategic narrative and capital markets positioning.

    Investor relations professionals continued to be assigned responsibilities beyond the traditional IR function. While sustainability remained the most common additional remit, oversight of finance responsibilities more than doubled year on year.

    This development reflected increasing investor demands for closer alignment between financial performance, strategic narrative and capital markets positioning.

    IR Pulse in practice: perspectives from investor relations professionals

    Oskar Bosson, Head of Investor Relations at BioArctic, explains how BioArctic is adapting its investor relations strategy to engage investors, establish a balanced shareholder base and support long-term value creation as it moves from a research-focused biotech to a commercial-stage organisation.

    Looking ahead

    Investor relations professionals shared their most innovative IR initiatives implemented in 2025 or planned for 2026 across the themes highlighted above, including AI, investor engagement, sustainability and more.

    AI-driven external investor engagement hub that features customised insights based on individual historical engagement data and an integrated monthly AI-curated CEO video briefing built from top investor themes.

    Annual collaboration with other companies in the same city and industry to coordinate hosting of headquarters visits or social events.

    Hosting Investor Day at an international location.

    Office hours that allow up to five attendees to meet with the IR team for a 45-minute discussion.

    Created a document similar to a sell-side initiation report and distributed it to prospective analysts in the hope they will pick up coverage.

    Nasdaq 7th annual Global IR Issuer Pulse

    Download the full report to uncover further takeaways to support the execution of investor relations priorities in 2026

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    Our translation tool aims for accuracy, yet no machine translation is flawless or a substitute for human translators. Translations are provided as a convenience, "as is." We do not guarantee the accuracy, reliability or correctness of translations from English into other languages. Some content may not translate accurately due to software limitations.The original English text prevails on the website. Variations in translation are non-binding and carry no legal weight for compliance or enforcement. For questions regarding the accuracy of translated content, please refer to the official English version of our site.
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