Aberdeen Asset Management

Aberdeen Asset Management was among the worst fallers on the FTSE 100 today, down nearly 5% in morning trading, as investors react to the recent sell-offs in EMs and panic over its impact on the group.

Fund buyers have been struggling to find alternatives to Aberdeen and First State's giant emerging market funds, but Rathbones' Mona Shah has uncovered four niche vehicles worth a closer look.

BIQ QUESTION

Martin Gilbert, chief executive of Aberdeen Asset Management, said there are currently no capacity constraints on the group's Asia Pacific funds, despite previously suggesting they will soon be soft-closed.

Aberdeen Asset Management was hard hit by June's market sell-off, which contributed to a 1% drop in AUM for the asset manager in the second quarter of 2013 compared to the end of March.

The FTSE 100 started the second half of the year positively after promising Asian numbers were followed up by a strong showing from the UK's own manufacturing sector.

Martin Gilbert, the chief executive of Aberdeen Asset Management, has announced he is to resign from his role as chairman of beleaguered transport business FirstGroup, on the day the group also announced it is undertaking a rights issue.

Investors have shown more interest in emerging market funds than any other asset class in Q1, according to Morningstar.

Former Aberdeen global fixed income bond chief Paul Griffiths has joined First State Investments as CIO of fixed interest and credit.

Paul Griffiths is leaving his role as global co-head of fixed income at Aberdeen Asset Management, handing over sole responsibility for the role to Brad Crombie.