“The asset management industry is at the crossroads of enjoying rising markets and growing pools of capital to manage, and navigating significant disruption, changes and pressures from all sides. Taking the right path and making the right choices to adapt, evolve and transform will distinguish winners from losers.”

That is the thoughts of KPMG following the publication of report in to State of the Asset Management Industry

KPMG have identified three game changes that they believe are “fundamentally changing the landscape for this industry. How the asset and wealth management firms respond to these will likely determine their success in the next 5 -10 years.”

KPMG identify three main Game Changers:

1. ETFs
2. China
3. Responsible Investing

 

Responsible Investing

The focus on Responsible Investing (RI) was interesting and a little concerning.

KMPG notes the global asset management has a lower level of trust than the banks and insurers. This is a big issue for the industry.

Therefore KMPG calls for the industry to “truly embrace responsible investment and embed Environmental, Social and Governance criteria into the investment process”

KMPG see this as an important part in restoring trust within the industry. They encourage the “industry to be much more wholehearted and convincing in embracing responsible investment and embedding ESG factors into the investment process.”

“The next generation of retail, pension fund and institutional investors want to see their capital being used to create an impact and contribute to a better world”.

 

Of course Responsible Investment and ESG are not new. The Responsible Investment Association of Australia (RIAA) was set up in 2002. Australia has likely lead the rest of the world in this respect.

Therefore, a key issue is that Asset Managers, and Asset Owners, can clearly demonstrate to clients and regulators they are doing what they say they are doing, a point noted by KPMG. A more convincing approach is required.

 

The other two changes are well understood, ETFs and China.

ETFs

KPMG note:

• Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) assets are already bigger than hedge funds and index tracker funds, and are expected to overtake mutual funds within the next 10 years. Currently the global ETF market is at US$5 trillion and is expected to more than double in the next 5 years.
• There are rapidly growing markets where ETFs are the vehicle of choice. They fit well with digital technology used by Roboadvisers. They work well as efficient building blocks for asset allocation solutions and model portfolios in the wealth management industry and in the increasingly important self-directed market.
• Wealth Managers are increasing their use of ETFs. Areas of growth include smart beta, while active ETFs are increasing in popularity

KMPG sum it up: “The traditional asset management industry is at an inflection point. Regulatory scrutiny around value for money and transparency, disruptive D2C technology and new investor preferences, necessitate that firms adapt and innovate if they are to flourish in the new order.

 

China

Pretty simple, “KPMG expects the industry to grow at a double digit rate, year on year, over the next 15 years.”

“In 1998, six Fund Management Companies (FMCs) managed US$1.27 billion, while today 132 firms manage US$2.0 trillion of funds. KPMG forecast USD$5.6 trillion of assets under management in China by 2025, which would make it the second-largest asset management market in the world.”

 

It is certainly a challenging environment for which industry leaders need to be aware.

 

Happy investing.

 

Global Investment Ideas from New Zealand. Building more Robust Investment Portfolios.

 

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