Fund manager turnover on the rise

Turnover of fund managers is increasing according to the latest Morningstar survey of European fund managers.

Morningstar.co.uk Editors 30 September, 2005 | 8:25PM
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn
Some 73% of fund management groups surveyed reported some turnover at their organisations over the past 12 months. Almost 10% said turnover had been high – with more than a quarter of managers moving to different funds internally or leaving the company altogether – compared with 4% in the year to September 2004.

Compared with this time last year (when Morningstar posed the same questions to fund groups) it has become more common for fund managers to leave to run hedge funds or to work for a smaller or boutique-style investment house. For example, last year 10% of those surveyed said managers had left to run hedge funds while this year some 17% cited it as the most common reason for managers to leave.

Over the past 12 months some 45% of fund groups have increased salary and bonus payments in order to retain talent within their companies. A small number of investment firms have launched their own hedge funds while 21%, down from 32% in 2004, have set up a boutique structure within their firms.

The companies that do pay managers bonuses tend to base them on the manager’s short term - one-year – performance. Only 14% base them on performance over three years while the use of risk-adjusted performance is a more popular option.

Regional outlook

Fund managers strongly favoured Japan this month. Some 44% expected it to be the best performing region over the next year. There was also strong sentiment behind the yen with 45% saying it would be the strongest currency over the next 12 months.

Managers were split on the prospects for the dollar and the euro. While the two currencies had a number of supporters some 45% also said the dollar would be the worst performing currency and some 30% said the euro would be the worst.

Half of those surveyed predicted America would be the worst performing region and none said it would be the best. Latin America also fell out of favour this month with 21% predicting it would be the worst performer, up from 11% in June.

In terms of sector preference healthcare and energy were expected to be the best performing sectors over the next year. The utilities sector was the least favourite with 22% saying it would perform the worst on a relative basis.

Morningstar’s European offices conducted this survey from September 19th-26th. In total 36 fund management groups from 11 countries participated. On average they each managed €51 billion (£35 billion) and offered 93 retail funds.

The information contained within is for educational and informational purposes ONLY. It is not intended nor should it be considered an invitation or inducement to buy or sell a security or securities noted within nor should it be viewed as a communication intended to persuade or incite you to buy or sell security or securities noted within. Any commentary provided is the opinion of the author and should not be considered a personalised recommendation. The information contained within should not be a person's sole basis for making an investment decision. Please contact your financial professional before making an investment decision.

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

About Author

Morningstar.co.uk Editors  analyse and report on shares, funds, market developments and good investing practice for individual investors and their advisers in the UK.

© Copyright 2024 Morningstar, Inc. All rights reserved.

Terms of Use        Privacy Policy        Modern Slavery Statement        Cookie Settings        Disclosures