Henderson made a pre-tax loss of £3.1m in the six months to 30 June, compared to a £41.6m profit in the first half of the year, partly due to Gartmore-related expenses.
Recent market sell-offs have prompted Henderson's Emily Adderson to buy distressed European banking stocks after sharp share price falls.
Major companies favoured by leading European fund managers are facing severe price pressures as the global flight to safety propelled the Swiss franc to new heights today.
VIDEO: WHY THE MARKET HAS SOLD OFF
Henderson is testing the water for a C-share issue to raise additional capital for John Pattullo's Diversified Income trust.
US investors sheltering in cash as politicians grapple with the debt crisis are set to reinvest during a short-term correction they said could see equities sell off as much as 10%.