GAM Holding AG: Interim management statement for the period to 30 September 2014

Zurich, 21 October 2014

  • Assets under management of CHF 75.6 billion in investment management, up CHF 2.2 billion or 3% from 30 June 2014

    • Solid net new money inflows and positive currency impact in the third quarter

  • Private labelling assets under management of CHF 48.5 billion, up CHF 2.3 billion or 5% from 30 June 2014

    • Strong net new money inflows in the third quarter and positive currency impact

  • Tangible equity up CHF 38.5 million from 30 June 2014, at CHF 539.8 million, reflecting robust profitability

Investment management

Assets under management advanced to CHF 75.6 billion as at 30 September 2014. This represents an increase of CHF 5.8 billion (+ 8%) from year-end 2013 and of CHF 2.2 billion (+ 3%) from 30 June 2014.

The asset increase over the third quarter was the result of solid net new money inflows and the appreciation of the US dollar against the Swiss franc (the Group`s reporting currency). These factors more than offset the adverse impact of declining precious metals prices and generally challenging conditions in fixed income markets, including local currency emerging debt where the US dollar strength softened prices.

Net new money inflows for the quarter were largely consistent with the positive trends seen in the first half of the year. Client activity and demand remained resilient across the Group`s product range, despite increasing concerns regarding global growth and geopolitical developments.

The Group`s specialised fixed income strategies saw robust net inflows, particularly the Julius Baer-branded European asset-backed securities strategy and the GAM-branded credit opportunities and cat bond strategies. Flows into most emerging market fixed income funds were positive for the quarter, while traditional bond products and low-margin money market funds experienced net outflows.

Overall, the absolute return/unconstrained bond strategy recorded modest net new money inflows in the third quarter. While institutional inflows remained strong throughout the quarter, towards the end of the reporting period the strategy experienced redemptions from financial intermediaries.

Several directional equity strategies benefited from growing net new money inflows in the third quarter, notably the Julius Baer-branded Japan and European strategies, as well as GAM`s US, global, emerging market and technology strategies.

Inflows into the Group`s multi-asset capabilities were positive: GAM`s discretionary and advisory portfolios recorded net inflows, with positive flows into mandates directly managed for clients and into the risk-rated model portfolios offered to independent financial advisers. Swiss & Global Asset Management`s institutional business also ended the quarter with net new money inflows.