RBS share price had fallen by close to 4% to 239.6p at the time of writing.
Shares in Standard Life, on the other hand, were trading only marginally lower at 374.2p (-0.24%), reflecting the relative strength of its final results.
The UK life insurer reported that assets under administration climbed by 16% to £357.1bn over 2016, partially offset by “modest” net outflows of £2.6bn.
However, the against the “backdrop of volatile investment markets,” “resilient” gross inflows of £27.7bn were comparably weaker than £30.5bn the year before.
Once again, Standard Life blamed the reduced level of inflows on a “lower demand” for its £25.7bn Global Absolute Return Strategies vehicle.
Data from RBC Capital Markets showed that GARS severely underperformed similar products offered by competitors Aviva Investors and Invesco Perpetual, delivering negative returns of -2.7% over 12-months.
Despite GARS inability to inspire over the year, Standard Life reported a 30% increase in gross inflows (£17.5bn) into “a broad range of other products.”
The life insurer’s investment division was able to generate higher fee based revenue of £1.7bn (+5%) and operating profit before tax of £723m, a 9% improvement.
Standard Life also drew attention to its 8% dividend hike to 19.8p and 13% higher diluted earnings.
