Our regular round-up of the latest insights on investment distribution
From open to guided architecture
We’re seeing the initial signs of a rolling back of open architecture across Europe. Distributors are increasingly focusing on building overall ‘solutions’ rather than picking best of breed funds by asset class. They are also looking to limit the range of products...
Richard Bradley 22 November 2019
Adviser platform growth over an uncertain backdrop
Adviser platform assets continue to rise – despite some major headwinds. In our recently published figures for Q3 2019, the total adviser platform market stands healthily over £500bn, of which assets relating specifically to financial advisers represent around...
Andrew Ashwood 15 November 2019
Getting tough at the top of the D2C market
Over the past year, we’ve seen direct platforms significantly improving the investor experience and there are more companies that can genuinely claim to offer a top rate service. In particular, content and guidance have improved and new mobile features have been...
Cristina Puscas 08 November 2019
Platforms as a commodity
The long-term downward trend in UK adviser platform pricing continues. Headline charges have been trimmed over the past year and special pricing deals between platforms and advisers have driven overall costs even lower. For platforms charging 0.30%, and barely (if...
Andrew Ashwood 01 November 2019
The direction of travel for European Fund Distribution
Every European market is unique. Local regulations and interpretations of pan-European directives differ. Fund distribution channels differ. The mix of investments differs. The asset managers and insurance companies providing these investments differ. European...
Richard Bradley 25 October 2019
Woodford Exit
This week saw Link pull the plug on the Woodford Equity Income Fund (WEIF), leading to the investment manager’s exit from its other vehicles. WEIF investors don’t know how much of the 85p current valuation will be returned to them in 2020. The Patient Capital...
Jeremy Fawcett 18 October 2019