2019 Investment Management Industry Outlook.pdf

2019 Investment Management Outlook A mix of opportunity and challenge2019 Investment Management Outlook: A mix of opportunity and challenge2Brochure / report title goes here | Section title goes here 02 2019: Another year of challenges with new opportunities for success 1Picking the right growth options 3Creating operational efficiencies 8Delivering the next level of customer experience 132019: Execution drives success 15Table of contents2019 Investment Management Outlook: A mix of opportunity and challenge12019: Another year of challenges with new opportunities for successInvestment management is in a period of rapid change, driven by shifting investor preferences, margin compression, regulatory developments, and advancing technologies. While the nine-year bull run has diminished the intensity of these industry challenges, experience tells us that markets work in cycles. Successful investment managers (which we define as managers of mutual funds, hedge funds, and private equity firms) in 2019 will likely be the ones that can continue to manage these challenges with plans designed to withstand changing market conditions. Priorities for long-only managers are more acute than those for alternative managers Passive funds continue to garner assets. In the first half of 2018, 16 of the top 20 funds by net flows were passive mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) garnering $143 billion.1 The advent of zero-cost ETFs may accelerate this growth even further. According to State Street Global Advisors’ estimates and Investment Company Institute’s data, global ETF assets could touch the $25 trillion mark by the end of 2025, up from $4.8 trillion in 2018.2,3 At the same time, making the case for alpha for many active managers remains a challenge. A study has shown that 86.7 percent of US active funds have underperformed their benchmark, on a net-of-fees basis, over the 10-year period ending in 2017.4 European funds have similar results: 85.4 percent of actively managed European equity funds underperformed their benchmark over the same period.5 In the private equity (PE) world, consistent strong performance rewarded accredited and institutional investors, which led to large capital inflows and record dry powder (undeployed capital) (figure 1). As of March 2018, global PE dry powder stood at $1 trillion, ready to be invested in new portfolio companies with growth potential.6Figure 1. PE funds exhibit strong performance globally0%5%10%15%20%25%Private equity funds―globalS&P 5001-year20.5%13.6%15.0%10.2%15.2%13.7%9.8%9.1%13.4%9.9%3-year5-year10-year15-year18-year11.4%5.4%Data as of 12/31/2017Source: Global PE & VC Fund Performance Report, PitchBook.Horizon internal rate of return2019 Investment Management Outlook: A mix of opportunity and challenge2Customer preferences are divergingExpectations are diverging between investor segments. Most Millennials and Gen Z (born from 1995 to 2010) have made a quantum change in their investment practices from those of their parents. These cohorts will eventually hold a significant share of global investable assets as the multitrillion-dollar intergenerational wealth transfer progresses in the United States and Europe.7 They tend to prefer engaging with online and mobile channels, a low minimum initial investment amount, and 24/7 access to investment advice on smart devices. Meanwhile, more experienced segments (Gen X and Baby Boomers) are often expecting elegant interactions through their mobile and online investment accounts and professional advice on demand. On the other side of the spectrum, most institutional investors are demanding better portfolio transparency, tailored investment solutions, and global products. Regulatory fragmentation continuesSecurities regulations across the United States, Europe, and Asia are changing according to diverse priorities. Navigating multiple regulatory regimes could be challenging for many global investment management firms. In addition, the onset of new rulings globally will likely complicate regulatory compliance management in 2019. Building regulatory-ready organizations to manage change as though it is ever-present may improve efficiency as firms manage regulatory and compliance risk.8 Tech-savvy firms are putting pressure on traditional firmsMany investment management firms are planning for potential disruption caused by new technology-based entrants. These disruptors could shake up online fund distribution, digital advice, or micro-investing with their expertise in digital experience delivery or large customer bases. These potential new entrants are likely to provide low-cost services, coupled with digital-age capabilities, aiming to build relationships with Millennial and Gen Z cohorts before they are targeted by incumbent firms. Given this complex and challenging industry environment, investment management business leaders should consider three core questions:1. How can we grow our business?2. What are the possibilities to run our ...