Mergers and launches: The state of the European funds industry

Providers launch 1,027 funds in H1 2017

Industry commentators have been predicting larger scale fund range rationalisations for some time, as regulatory and commercial pressures build in this area.

But although mergers and liquidations are continuing across Europe, there has been little impact in terms of a reduction in the overall number of funds. Providers launched 1,027 funds in the first half of 2017 alone, well on track towards meeting last year's total (see chart, bottom), according to Thomson Reuters Lipper.  Although European fund promoters have liquidated 505 funds over the course of 2017 so far and merged 468 funds, this still leaves an extra 54 vehicles in the market. These half-year merger figures point to a similar full-year total compared to last year, but the n...