european 2012 fund sales to exceed 200bn

Sales of long-term funds in Europe are expected to have reached more than 200bn last year, figures from Lipper suggest.

european 2012 fund sales to exceed 200bn

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According to the analyst’s Fund Flash report, fund sales excluding money market products reached €191.2bn over the 11 months to the end of November. 

Lipper said it “seems more than likely” net sales will have topped €200bn for the whole year, especially as equity and bond markets were positive in December.

Long-term fund sales were €22.3bn in November as continued gains in bond portfolios offset outflow from equity products. 

The report said: “Bond funds were flavour of the month once more, with inflows of €20.7bn, bringing the year’s net sales of funds in this asset class alone to €204.3bn. 

“While inflows to the most popular bond sectors were generally lower than last month, activity still remained healthy for global, emerging market (€3.1bn, of which €1.4bn related to local currency funds) and high yield funds.”

However, Lipper noted that equity funds seem to be struggling to gain a sustained stream of new investment. Flows dropped into negative territory over the month with net outflows of €940m.

Investors remained interested emerging markets with positive flows of €2.1bn going to global emerging markets, €870m to China and €570m to Asia ex Japan.

But developed market funds tended to be hit with outflows – mostly notably those investing in the UK and eurozone companies.

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