Low returns erode investment FUM/A


Low investment returns in the major asset classes and negative returns in other asset classes have taken a toll on funds under management and advice (FUM/A) growth across investment sectors for the 12 months to June, DEXX&R found.
The DEXX&R Analysis Market Share Report, based on retail and wholesale FUM/A data as at 30 June, found that multi-sector returns for the 12 months to 30 June, averaged one per cent, Australian shares 0.5 per cent, and international shares negative three per cent.
The retirement income segment, however, showed growth, with an average return of 4.7 per cent over the same period due to the higher proportion of total assets held in fixed interest.
Retail and wholesale managed funds FUM/A increased by 0.2 per cent or $2 billion to $1.117 trillion over the 12 months to 30 June.
Retirement income FUM increased by 2.1 per cent, of $13 billion for the year.
Among the five largest retail and wholesale managers, National Australia Bank (NAB) recorded a one per cent decrease to $151.8 billion, AMP a 6.2 per cent increase to $148.4 billion, while the Commonwealth Bank (CBA) recorded a 1.9 per cent decrease to $138.5 billion, and Westpac a 0.7 per cent increase to $132.2 billion.
"Note AMP reclassified and included additional FUM/A not previously reported in the June quarter. This additional FUM/A accounts for a significant portion of AMP's increase in FUM/A in the June Quarter," the report said.
Retail and wholesale FUM/A increased by 1.2 per cent, from $1,104 billion at March 2016, to $1,117 billion at June 2016.
Retail investment (non-super) FUM/A increased by 7.2 per cent, or $12.5 billion, to $185.6 billion over the year to June 2016.
"Excluding the $10.43 billion Macquarie internal asset transfer made during the December quarter retail non-super FUM/A increased by 1.2 per cent, or $2.0 billion, up from $173.2 billion at June 2015 to $175.2 billion at June 2016," the report said.
NAB FUM/A declined by 5.3 per cent, down $1 billion to $16.6 billion, while CBA recorded a 2.6 per cent increase to $30.9 billion.
Recommended for you
Lonsec and SQM Research have highlighted manager selection as a crucial risk for financial advisers when it comes to private market investments, particularly due to the clear performance dispersion.
Macquarie Asset Management has indicated its desire to commit the fast-growing wealth business in Australia by divesting part of its public investment business to Japanese investment bank Nomura.
Australia’s “sophisticated” financial services industry is a magnet for offshore fund managers, according to a global firm.
The latest Morningstar asset manager survey believes ETF providers are likely to retain the market share they have gained from active managers.