Schroders sale puts more European money managers in play

Core Viewpoint - The sale of Schroders to U.S. asset manager Nuveen signifies a critical juncture for European money managers, highlighting the need to either consolidate or sell in a competitive global market dominated by U.S. firms [1] Group 1: Sale Details - Schroders, a 222-year-old British fund manager, has decided to sell up to Nuveen, creating one of the world's largest active fund managers with $2.5 trillion in assets [1] - The founding family's 42% stake was previously seen as a barrier to sale, but they ultimately chose to cash out [1] - The deal is expected to prompt further consolidation in Europe's fragmented asset management industry, where the top 10 players control only 25% of assets [1] Group 2: Market Context - U.S. asset managers have been gaining market share by offering low-cost passive products, which has structurally challenged traditional stock-picking firms like Schroders [1] - An index of the largest U.S. asset managers has increased by 40% over the past five years, outperforming many European firms [1] - Analysts suggest that independent players like Schroders are now prime targets for acquisition, with companies like Jupiter, Liontrust, and GAM being highlighted as potential candidates [1] Group 3: Future Deal Expectations - Consultancy Oliver Wyman anticipates an acceleration in mergers and acquisitions in the asset management sector over the next four to five years, predicting 1,500 deals involving firms with at least €1 billion in assets [1] - However, challenges remain, such as acquisition premiums and the difficulty of realizing cost savings in a people-driven business [1] Group 4: Impact on London Financial Hub - The sale of Schroders has raised concerns about the trend of companies leaving London for other financial centers, although the CEO claims the combined group will still invest in the UK [1] - The deal will result in another company exiting the FTSE 100 index following a foreign takeover [1] - The Schroder family will retain some ties to the company, with one member continuing to work in the London office [1]