CFA Institute Industry Guides: The Asset Management Industry

The asset management industry is an integral component of the global financial services sector, responsible for professionally managing more than $68 trillion in assets owned by a broad range of institutional and individual investors. Today, thousands of investment managers compete for clients in a highly competitive and mature industry. The universe of firms offering asset management services is varied and ranges from “pure play” independent asset managers to diversified commercial banks, insurance companies, and brokerages, all offering asset management services in addition to complementary and unrelated business lines. In this comprehensive examination of the global asset management industry, the author outlines the industry’s structure and provides perspective on portfolio management techniques, major investor client segments, and investment vehicles as well as practical guidance for effective analysis of publicly traded asset management firms.