Archive

09 Mar

Posted at 12:55h in
Geopolitical clouds gathered for the fund industry in the second half of the year, but platforms weathered the storm thanks in particular to robust pension product flows. As a result, platform flows rose to record highs in the fourth quarter, with gross sales totalling £22bn and net sales coming in at just over £12bn. According to the Fundscape Platform Report, it was a remarkable year for the industry. Platform assets rose by £50bn to reach £343.7bn at the end of the year, a growth rate of 17% that overshadowed the FTSE 100’s -2.7% for the same period. Pension freedom and the ongoing demand for income were the two main factors that drove flows and worked in the industry’s favour. Gross sales for the year rose by 21% to £82bn from £68bn in 2013, while net sales were up by 16% to £42bn from £36bn in 2013.

10 Nov

Posted at 11:39h in
New style ISAs, pension reform and an improving UK economy set the scene for a good start to the third quarter of the year for platforms. July was a bumper month, but the summer holiday season, growing economic uncertainty and the Scottish vote eventually took their toll on the quarter’s flows. Total platform assets under administration rose by £9.7bn to £326.4bn, a rise of 3.2% on the previous quarter, but 19.3% on the third quarter of 2013. Gross sales for the first three months of the year totalled £19.4bn, up 13.6% on like-for-like sales in 2013, but down on last quarter’s £21.2bn.  It was the same for net sales, which rose by 3.9% to £9.4bn relative to the third quarter of 2013, but were down 15% quarter on quarter. Click here to read the rest of the press release.

08 Aug

Posted at 10:15h in
The second quarter kicked off with a bang. Stock markets were on the rise and one ISA season was coming to its feverish close while another was just beginning. The UK’s ongoing economic recovery, shock budget announcements and the lead up to the world cup also provided that all-important feel-good factor that helps to drive investment. Total platform assets under administration rose by £14bn to £317.3bn, a rise of 5% on the previous quarter, while new records were set for sales. Gross sales for the first three months of the year totalled £21.2bn, up 19% on like-for-like sales in 2013, and net sales rose by 21% to £11.0bn. To download the full press release click here.

15 May

Posted at 08:06h in

Owing to geopolitical uncertainty, the first quarter of 2014 was more volatile for investment growth, but platforms swam against the tide thanks to strong sales. In the first three months of the year, the stock market contracted by 3%. Platforms are inevitably affected by market movements, but instead of shrinking, total platform assets actually increased by 3.3% to £304bn over the quarter.

Click here to read the full press release.

22 Nov

Posted at 08:00h in
Last week we published the quarterly Platform Report, which attracted much attention.  Total industry assets now stand at £267bn, and although it was the quietest quarter of the year, gross and net flows were pretty robust at £17bn and £8.9bn.  (Download press release here and 60-second reviews here).

07 Nov

Posted at 09:23h in

The summer period is usually one of the quieter quarters of the year, but an improving economic outlook and the ongoing effect of the Retail Distribution Review (RDR) led to a bumper quarter for platforms. Total platform assets under administration were £267bn, up 7% in the second quarter, and comfortably ahead of FTSE All-Share growth of 5%.