FUNDMARKET INSIGHT REPORT

Transcription

1 FUNDMARKET INSIGHT REPORT MAY 2013 LAUNCHES, LIQUIDATIONS, AND MERGERS IN THE EUROPEAN MUTUAL FUND INDUSTRY, Q CHRISTOPH KARG Content Specialist for Germany & Austria Executive Summary As of the end of March 2013, there were 31,854 mutual funds registered for sale in Europe. Luxembourg continued to dominate the fund market in Europe, hosting 8,581 funds, followed by France, where 4,907 funds were domiciled. For Q1 2013, 435 funds were created in Europe. During the same period 396 funds were liquidated and 204 were merged. The results of the first quarter show that the industry continues to consolidate its fund ranges. A total of 600 funds (396 liquidations and 204 mergers) were withdrawn from the market, while only 435 new products were launched. View of the Mutual Fund Market in Europe The chart below breaks down the European fund market by asset class as of the end of Q Equity funds dominated the scene with 37% of the funds available for sale, followed by mixed-asset funds at 25%. Bond funds stood at 22%, while money market funds represented 5% of the market. The remaining 11% of other funds were real estate funds, commodity funds, guaranteed funds, and funds of hedge funds. The total net changes in the European fund universe are still showing negative numbers. But since Q the trend is slowing. DETLEF GLOW Head of Lipper EMEA Research Figure 1 Distribution of Mutual Funds Registered for Sale in Europe by Asset Type as of the End of March 2013

2 During Q1 2013, 435 funds were launched in Europe. The quantity of newly launched funds showed the lowest number for first quarter results of the last five years. Compared with the peak in Q1 2010, the number of newly launched products for Q showed a decrease of around 46%. The 435 funds launched in Q showed a decrease of 71 funds (14%), compared to the same period in 2012, when 506 funds were launched. The number of liquidations also showed also the lowest number for first quarter results of the last five years. The 396 liquidations in Q showed 30% fewer liquidations compared with the peak of 566 (Q1 2009). Compared with the number for the first quarter 2012, the numbers were down from 493 to 396, a decrease of 20%. During the same period the number of fund mergers showed no real change - from 205 in Q to 204 in Q Figure 2 Overview of New Fund Launches, Mergers, and Closures of Investment Funds The trend to liquidate and merge products seems to be slowing considering the total numbers. This might be an indicator that the European fund industry has passed the peak level and is consolidating fund ranges. Nevertheless, there are still some fund promoters, who will clear their product ranges in the future. The low number of newly launched products seems to be a result of still existing uncertainty in the market and/or the lack of new products/trends.

3 Launches, Mergers, and Liquidations Over the Past Five Years The net size of the European fund universe has gone down consistently since Q We saw the lowest net growth in Q2 2012, with 340 mergers, 535 liquidations, and just 417 newly launched funds (for a total decline of 458 products). Figure 3 Launches, Mergers, and Closures of Investment Funds The number for Q has to be considered a direct reaction to the financial crisis. The immediately following quarters showed that the industry counter-steered this trend successfully. But currently, we are showing eight quarters in a row with negative net numbers caused by lower activity in the launch of new products. Figure 4 Net Change in Number of Funds Registered for Sale in Europe The total net changes in the European fund universe are still showing negative numbers. But since Q the trend is slowing: with a decline of 165 funds 50% fewer funds were closed in comparison to Q

4 Changes in European Fund Universe Asset Classes, Q Q witnessed the launch of 435 funds: 121 equity funds, 165 bond funds, 111 mixedasset funds, 35 other funds, and 3 money market funds. During the same period 396 funds were liquidated: 95 equity funds, 56 bond funds, 72 mixed-asset funds, 147 other funds, and 26 money market funds. In Q1 2013, 204 funds were merged: 56 equity funds, 35 bond funds, 57 mixed-asset funds, 33 other funds, and 23 money market funds. Figure 5 Overview of New Fund Launches, Mergers, and Closures, January 1, March 31, 2013

5 Outlook As per European Fund and Asset Management Association statistics the first months of 2013 show the European fund industry is growing. With over 9 trillion euros of net assets as of the end of February 2013, the overall picture seems to be very positive. In addition, the latest interest rate reduction from the European Central Bank stimulated the markets: real estate and equities have benefited especially. But this is just one part of the whole picture. The markets are still driven by politics, and the latest decisions in the context of the financial crisis in Cyprus indicate that the strategy of the European Union has changed. With the decision to obligate investors who are in the process of restructuring the banks in Cyprus, the sovereign debt crisis has entered a new stage. Additionally, in the near future we might see some Eastern European countries slipping below the limits of the euro rescue fund. In addition to the the known crisis countries, France is raising uncertainty. Regulation because of the upcoming Alternative Investment Fund Managers directive is a hot topic in the asset management industry, and many more regulations are on their way to the markets. The discussions about the financial transaction tax continue, and currently it seems we can expect inconsistent policies in the whole of Europe. Lipper U.S. Client Services Lipper Europe Client Services (UK) (Europe) Lipper Asia Client Services lipperweb.com 2012 Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Thomson Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters. 'Thomson Reuters' and the Thomson Reuters logo are registered trademarks and trademarks of Thomson Reuters and its affiliated companies.