Nasdaq Investor Relations Intelligence

    7th Annual Global IR Issuer Pulse - Hero

    Nasdaq Survey Results

    7th Annual Global IR Issuer Pulse

    Discover key survey findings that will help IR professionals navigate challenges, identify opportunities, and execute priorities in 2026.

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    Nasdaq IR Intelligence surveyed the corporate community in Q4 2025 to surface top priorities and challenges shaping IR and capture perspectives on emerging practices and innovations in 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 caps, two things are clear: IR professionals remain focused on deepening engagement with key stakeholders and leveraging new technologies that can enhance their impact. 

    Key Findings

    Generative AI adoption accelerated across IR teams

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

    Commonly reported practical applications included summarizing peer and market events and supporting earnings preparation. Growing interest across other processes reflects IR’s focus on scaling impact while operating with leaner resources.

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

    Commonly reported practical applications included summarizing peer and market events and supporting earnings preparation. Growing interest across other processes reflects IR’s 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 IR professionals cited enhancing engagement with new and/or existing shareholders as top priorities in 2026.

    While non-deal roadshows (NDRs) remained the top avenue for targeting investors, fewer survey respondents cited them as their preferred avenue compared with last year, indicating an increasing desire to diversify engagement channels.

    Nearly 45% of IR professionals cited enhancing engagement with new and/or existing shareholders as top priorities in 2026.

    While non-deal roadshows (NDRs) remained the top avenue for targeting investors, fewer survey respondents cited them as their preferred avenue compared with last year, indicating an increasing desire to diversify engagement channels.

    Increased focus on company-specific dynamics shaped equity stories

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

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

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

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

    73% of respondents anticipate company-specific dynamics will impact IR in 2026
    IR mandates broadened to include deeper finance alignment

    IR mandates broadened to include deeper finance alignment

    IR professionals continued to be tasked with responsibilities outside of the traditional IR function. While sustainability remained the most common added remit, oversight of finance responsibilities more than doubled year-over-year.

    This evolution reflected growing investor demands for tighter alignment across financial performance, strategic narrative, and capital‑markets positioning.

    IR professionals continued to be tasked with responsibilities outside of the traditional IR function. While sustainability remained the most common added remit, oversight of finance responsibilities more than doubled year-over-year.

    This evolution reflected growing investor demands for tighter alignment across financial performance, strategic narrative, and capital‑markets positioning.

    Looking Ahead

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

    AI-driven external investor engagement hub that features customized 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 same city and industry to team up on hosting HQ visits or social events.

    Hosting Investor Day at an international site.

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

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

    Nasdaq 7th Annual Global IR Issuer Pulse

    Download the full report to discover more takeaways to help execute IR priorities in 2026.

    Access Previous Reports

    2025

    6th Annual Global IR Issuer Pulse Report

    2024

    5th Annual Global IR Issuer Pulse Report

    2023

    4th Annual Global IR Issuer Pulse Report

    2022

    3rd Annual Global IR Issuer Pulse Report

    2021

    2nd Annual Global IR Issuer Pulse Report

    2020

    1st Annual Global IR Issuer Pulse Report

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    <p>Our translation tool strives for accuracy, yet no machine translation is flawless or a substitute for human translators. Translations are offered as a convenience, "as is." We do not guarantee the accuracy, reliability, or correctness of translations from English to other languages. Certain content may not translate accurately due to software limitations.<br><br>The original English text prevails on the website. Variances in translation are non-binding and hold no legal weight for compliance or enforcement. For queries about translated content accuracy, consult the official English version of our site.</p>
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