Net inflows of UCITS were €157bn in Q3 2019 compared to net inflows of €39bn in Q2 2019. Q3 2019 UCITS inflows are the highest since Q1 2018. In the first three quarters of 2019, UCITS attracted net sales of €246bn.
Twenty two countries registered net UCITS inflows in Q3 2019.
Q3 2019 was characterised by the continued bond rally (42% of total Q3 2019 net sales) however outflows from equity funds have slowed down as can be seen in the chart below.
Net Sales of Bonds and Equity Funds
More accommodative monetary policies in Europe (new round of stimulus) and the USA (further Fed rate cuts) and the market’s assessment that this stance will remain in place for a significant period continued to drive the bond fund rally.
Continued downside risks relating to trade policies (China/US) and geopolitical risks (Italian Government coalition broke up and a fourth Spanish election in four years) weighed on European equities. Sluggish economic data in the Eurozone was also a factor with growth in Q2 at just 0.2%. Inflation was down at 1% in August which is much lower than the corresponding figure in 2018.
Sources: EFAMA, Schroders, Broadridge.
Country Spotlight: Spain
The net assets of funds domiciled in Spain reached €300bn in Q3 2019. Multi-asset funds are the leading asset class in Spain (32%) followed by bond funds (28%). Spanish domiciled funds represent 1.9% of European net assets. The main asset managers in Spain are the asset management divisions of Spanish banks – La Caixa, BBVA,
Santander, Bankia and Sabadell.
Spanish Fund Market Net Assets
Spain is the 9th largest market for the distribution of Irish funds with 1,935 Irish funds registered there. Approx. 90% of fund distribution in Spain is channelled through banks (including cajas or savings banks). Insurance companies, independent financial advisors and robo-advisors make up the remainder of the market.
In early 2019, ESMA published an analysis, which showed that costs for Spanish domiciled funds did not compare favourably with other European countries. This has resulted in a review by the Spanish financial regulator, CNMV. It was reported in late 2019 that the CNMV will start asking Spanish managers to include liquidity warnings in their KIIDs where they invest in highyield bonds or small cap equities.
Sources: Ignites, EFAMA, Irish Funds.
The Quarter in Numbers
- 24 The number in €bn of UCITS ETF net sales – Q3 2019.
- 61.4% The % of European fund net assets represented by UCITS.
- 6,626 The number in €bn of AIF net assets at the end of Q3 2019.
- 13 The number of countries with net AIF inflows during Q3 2019.
Irish eyes…
Irish domiciled fund assets increased by over 8% in Q3 2019.
Total Assets of Irish Domiciled Funds
The CBI recently issued an updated Q&A on UCITS, including guidance to managers investing in illiquid assets. Regulators across the EU, led by ESMA, are taking a consistent approach to probe liquidity management processes in UCITS. It follows the 2019 high profile cases in H2O and Woodford. The CBI has stated that UCITS, which are marketed to retail investors, which invest in CLOs, CFDs and contingent convertible bonds will be subject to increased scrutiny. The use of CFDs is particularly common with long/short equity UCITS funds to gain short exposure. The CBI has stated that the CFD restrictions will consist of limits on leverage and a margin close (positions closed if you drop below margin requirements).
Sources: Irish Funds, Ignites, CBI.
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