Moody's downgrades outlook for 'underwhelming' global asset management industry

Passive growth accelerating

Natalie Kenway
clock • 2 min read

Moody's has downgraded its outlook for the global asset management industry to 'negative', as the level of flows moving into passive and low-fee products gathers pace.

The credit ratings agency said it had not reported a rating action, but had downgraded the industry's outlook from ‘stable' to ‘negative' as active management continues to "underwhelm". In addition, tighter regulation, such as MiFID II, could potentially constrain sales and further disrupt the industry. "Active management performance after fees continues to underwhelm," says Neal M. Epstein, Moody's vice president - senior credit officer. "Investors are remaining cost-conscious as skepticism of active management's value proposition increases." FCA Study: 'Tarring all active manager...

To continue reading this article...

Join Investment Week for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, analysis and opinion from the investment industry, including the Sustainable Hub covering fund news from the ESG space
  • Get ahead of regulatory and technological changes affecting fund management
  • Important and breaking news stories selected by the editors delivered straight to your inbox each day
  • Weekly members-only newsletter with exclusive opinion pieces from leading industry experts
  • Be the first to hear about our extensive events schedule and awards programmes

Join now

 

Already an Investment Week
member?

Login

More on Investment

Event Voice: Stepping out of cash into the Credit Sweet Spot

Event Voice: Stepping out of cash into the Credit Sweet Spot

Peter Marsland, Fixed Income Investment Specialist, from Aberdeen discusses the Short Dated Enhanced Income Fund at the June Fixed Income Market Focus.

Peter Marsland, Fixed Income Investment Specialist
clock 08 July 2025 • 4 min read
Investors undergo 'buyers' strike' in June sending order values to two year low

Investors undergo 'buyers' strike' in June sending order values to two year low

Middle East conflict did not deter investors

Eve Maddock-Jones
clock 08 July 2025 • 2 min read
The big questions around re-evaluating risk for the retail investment industry

The big questions around re-evaluating risk for the retail investment industry

Discussions at Global Investment Management Summit

Katrina Lloyd
clock 08 July 2025 • 8 min read
Trustpilot