Insight Articles

Ultimus recently celebrated its 18th anniversary and I recently celebrated my 33rd anniversary in the mutual fund industry. Those milestones gave me an opportunity to reflect on how much the fund industry has changed in the new millennium, while also highlighting the trends for success.

In the last 15 years, understanding the nuances of fund distribution has become a keystone issue for investment managers launching new mutual funds.After all, without assets, a solid investment strategy isn’t much more than that

As the impact of the fiduciary rule, fee compression, and numerous class action lawsuits by employees against plan sponsors factor into decision-making by plan consultants and sponsors alike, a “what’s old is new” product has re-emerged as the go-to vehicle: collective investment trusts.

The investment required to comply with the new SEC Modernization and DOL Fiduciary Rules, the Form ADV Part 1 Amendments, and to continue to maintain a robust Cyber-Security program will be substantial.

The mutual fund business is booming. In fact, according to the ICI, at the end of 2016 mutual fund assets increased nearly $700 billion, ending with $16.3 trillion in net assets.

Alternative mutual funds, or liquid alternatives as they’ve have come to be known as, are no longer an investment afterthought.