In this Yearbook edition of the Finance Dublin Funds Monitor the panel reflect on the major developments for the asset management and investment funds sector in 2022 and what is in store for the coming quarters. While 2022 was shaped by the return of war in Europe, the end of the extended period of low inflation and subsequent Central Bank policy responses, creating volatile market conditions and subsequent asset manager reaction to these changes, other key trends including ‘retailisation’ of alternative investment funds, a further move towards passive strategies and increased focus from all market stakeholders on ESG.

Part of the reaction to the changed market from asset managers is a sharper focus on costs, with an increased resort to outsourcing, for both cost and efficiency benefits.

Also, increased volatility is adversely affecting the performance of some asset managers’ FX execution resulting in services providers winning new FX mandates as managers focus on their key areas of competency. The reform of the European Long Term Investment Fund (ELTIF) is also analysed by the panel with the EU’s proposals to revamp the unpopular fund type broadly expected to make ELTIFs more attractive.