Global asset manager AuM tops $100 trillion for the first time
Assets under management (AuM) at the world's 500 largest asset managers surpassed $100 trillion for the first time in 2019, totaling $104.4 trillion, a 14.8% increase from 2018. The top 20 managers now hold 43% of total assets, up from 38% in 2000. Rapid consolidation and technological advancements are reshaping the investment industry. Passive assets grew to $7.9 trillion in 2019. Notably, 50% of managers increased diversity in leadership, while client interest in sustainable investing rose across 88% of firms.
- AuM increased by 14.8%, reaching $104.4 trillion in 2019.
- Top 20 managers' market share rose to 43%.
- Passive assets climbed to $7.9 trillion, up from $4.9 trillion in 2015.
- 50% of managers boosted diversity in leadership roles.
- 84% increased resources for technology and big data.
- Client interest in sustainable investing increased across 88% of managers.
- None.
Concentration continues among the top 20 managers
ARLINGTON, Va., Oct. 19, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Assets under management (AuM) at the world’s 500 largest asset managers exceeded
The research, conducted in conjunction with Pensions & Investments, a leading U.S. investment newspaper, confirms growing concentration among the top 20 managers whose market share increased during the period to
“The investment industry has always been dynamic, but the pace of change is speeding up, manifested notably through consolidation,” said Roger Urwin, co-founder of the Thinking Ahead Institute. “In addition, rapidly advancing technology is changing the shape of mandates and producing products that require less governance and are more streamlined. This has led to the growth of passive and index tracking, factor-based strategies and solutions. Private markets have also continued a significant growth trend in the past decade, during which investors have sought higher returns involving higher risk.”
According to the research, passively managed assets in the survey grew to
“Most asset management processes, including investment, operating and decision making, also must evolve. This is driven by, in particular, asset owners seeking the benefits of outsourcing; the increased use of the Total Portfolio Approach, especially when targeting absolute return; and the use of index tracking in exchange-traded funds, where there is an active choice of the index,” said Urwin.
Additional research findings*:
50% of managers increased the number of ethnic minorities and women at high positions.- Client interest in sustainable investing, including voting, increased across
88% of managers. 84% of managers increased resources deployed to technology and big data, and76% increased resources deployed to cybersecurity.- The number of product offerings during the year increased across
65% of surveyed firms. - Aggregate investment management fee levels decreased for
34% of managers and increased for7% of managers. 51% of managers reported an increase in the level of regulatory oversight.
“The topics of conversation of asset managers are also changing, to reflect changes in client expectations as well as those of their colleagues and broader society. These are increasingly linked to purpose and culture; inclusion and diversity; and environmental, social and governance – and are taking place at the highest levels of these organizations,” said Marisa Hall, co-head of the Thinking Ahead Institute.
The world’s largest money managers
Ranked by total AuM, in U.S. millions, as of Dec. 31, 2019
| Rank | Fund | Market | Total assets | |
| 1 | BlackRock | U.S. | $ | 7,429,632 |
| 2 | Vanguard Group | U.S. | $ | 6,151,920 |
| 3 | State Street Global | U.S. | $ | 3,116,424 |
| 4 | Fidelity Investments | U.S. | $ | 3,043,134 |
| 5 | Allianz Group | Germany | $ | 2,539,842 |
| 6 | J.P. Morgan Chase | U.S. | $ | 2,364,000 |
| 7 | Capital Group | U.S. | $ | 2,056,991 |
| 8 | BNY Mellon | U.S. | $ | 1,910,000 |
| 9 | Goldman Sachs Group | U.S. | $ | 1,859,000 |
| 10 | Amundi | France | $ | 1,617,280 |
| 11 | Legal & General Group | U.K. | $ | 1,568,891 |
| 12 | Prudential Financial | U.S. | $ | 1,550,982 |
| 13 | UBS | Switzerland | $ | 1,413,000 |
| 14 | BNP Paribas | France | $ | 1,257,603 |
| 15 | Northern Trust | U.S. | $ | 1,231,300 |
| 16 | Invesco | U.S. | $ | 1,226,173 |
| 17 | T. Rowe Price | U.S. | $ | 1,206,800 |
| 18 | Wellington Mgmt. | Canada | $ | 1,154,735 |
| 19 | Morgan Stanley | U.S. | $ | 1,131,824 |
| 20 | Wells Fargo | U.S. | $ | 1,091,100 |
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About the Thinking Ahead Institute
The Thinking Ahead Institute was established in January 2015 and is a global not-for-profit investment research and innovation member group made up of engaged institutional asset owners and service providers committed to changing and improving the investment industry for the benefit of the end saver. It has 45 members around the world and is an outgrowth of Willis Towers Watson Investments’ Thinking Ahead Group, which was set up in 2002.
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Media contact
Ed Emerman: +1 609 240 2766
eemerman@eaglepr.com
*Excludes U.S.-based asset managers
FAQ
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