CAMRADATA Live activity: Private equity piques investor interest in Q1

Data for the first quarter shows rising interest in Private Equity – though in public markets, Global Equity leads the way, finds Mithursha Kesavan.

Market uncertainty continued into the first quarter of 2021. Even though the rapid rollout of Covid-19 vaccines gives hope for investors, a third wave of coronavirus was feared for some parts of Europe. 

The top searched asset classes in CAMRADATA Live during this first quarter of 2021* are Global Equity, Global Broad Bond, Global Diversified Growth, and Private Equity. 

Data around search activity within the private markets asset class has shown a shift from commodities – which was the most searched private markets asset class in January 2021 – towards private equity, which became the top searched asset class of the quarter.

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This reflects an optimistic outlook for private equity, including and perhaps even particularly for European private equity, which has potential to grow in 2021 due to the prominence of the technology, media and software sectors. 

Turning to other asset classes in CAMRADATA Live, Japanese Equity has proved to be a popular asset class. Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management was the top searched manager within the database. 

Interest in Japan possibly flows from the country’s economic recovery in 2020, which was relatively sturdy and may have led to an increase in foreign demand, particularly with fiscal stimulus measures seen around the world. 

However, a lack of vaccines available during this quarter could prove to be a limiting factor for Japan’s growth. 

Other notable asset classes showing up in quarterly search data include European Loans, European Income, UK Equity, UK Property and Global Tactical Asset Allocation.

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Fulcrum Asset Management is the top searched manager within the £0-5 billion assets under management (AuM) bucket; Unigestion SA for £5-20 billion; Lombard Odier Investment Managers for £20-50 billion; and Aberdeen Standard Investments for £50+ billion. CAMRADATA Live as a platform provides maximum exposure to all firms regardless of the scope of their business.

Investors remain hopeful that Q2 will bring a material recovery and that low interest rates will remain a feature as central banks focus on providing economic support.  Much depends on rapid vaccinations. However, with a third wave of coronavirus hitting parts of Europe, there is still a degree of unpredictability for the global economy.

Mithursha Kesavan is an associate at CAMRADATA, the owner of Funds Europe. *All figures are for January 1, 2021 to March 24, 2021 unless otherwise stated.