Is now the time to buy or sell shares in asset managers?

Fund managers are boosting exposure to UK-listed asset management firms in their portfolios, seeing them as well-placed to act as a "tremendous play" on the next equity bull run.

The latest results from the largest standalone asset managers in the UK market have been mixed, with Henderson Global Investors and F&C Asset Management both reporting net outflows in the third quarter. However, Aberdeen’s promise of a dividend hike lifted its share price this month, and Jupiter reported significant inflows into its fund range.  The asset management arm of Schroders saw pre-tax profits fall in Q3, although AUM climbed and the group reported an uptick in demand within its intermediary business. Asset managers have been favourites among investors due to their high pr...