Contrarian Investor: Could Aberdeen/Standard Life marriage be a game-changer?

It was perhaps obvious that news of the recommended merger between Aberdeen Asset Management and Standard Life would spark a wave of anxiety about more job losses.

The combined entity will boast 9,000 staff, and I am sure there will be growing concern about the inevitable cull. But what does this proposed deal say about the future of asset management? The first cynical, bearish line argues this is one last hurrah: one of those late business cycle mammoth mergers (Henderson/Janus) which is all about scale - and a common enemy in the shape of rampaging passive funds.  Monster merger In this reading, Aberdeen has sought refuge from the growing market anxiety by cuddling up with the more diversified Standard Life to create a £660bn monster. Upd...