In this article, we’ll explore 10 best asset management stocks to buy according to hedge funds.

It will go down in history as one of the best years for companies engaged in asset management. Their stocks are up by double-digit percentage points in response to one of the best investment environments. Central bank’s push for lower interest rates has bolstered investor sentiments and contributed to the market rally.

In return, asset management companies have enjoyed significant capital inflows and increased fee generation. Similarly, the companies have rewarded investors with buybacks and high dividend yields.

Due to strong market performance and healthier net flows, the value of assets under management (AUM) reached a record $132 trillion as of June 2024. Amid the significant net inflows, a global report by PricewaterhouseCoopers indicates asset management firms that deliver returns on both social and financial fronts stand to be clear winners.

“While financial return will always be important, increasingly investors are deciding that social return is just as important. What we’re seeing is asset and wealth management firms that deliver standout returns on both the social and financial fronts will be the clear winners over the coming decade — magnets for investment and able to sustain superior returns for shareholders and partners.”

The report also indicates that the asset management industry is poised to grow by up to 5.6% per annum to US$147.4 trillion by 2025. The growth is poised to come as the industry undergoes a substantial shift in managing investments. Technological advancements, changing investor preferences, and increased focus on sustainability should significantly impact growth rates.

In response to changing investor preferences, asset managers are increasingly coming up with customized investment products. Asset management product customization also seeks to align with specific financial goals, risk tolerance, and values.

Matt Ford, Co-founder and CEO at Sidekick explains: “We expect the shift to a more client-centric approach in the asset management industry to continue in 2025 and beyond, as high net worth and mass affluent individuals increasingly demand more than off-the-shelf products.”

Advancements in technology are also enabling the customization drive. Asset managers increasingly use artificial intelligence and machine learning to source wider information. In return, they can invest much earlier in successful companies and leave companies or investments facing challenges.

Passive investment products offered by asset management companies are becoming increasingly popular as opposed to active investment products. Their popularity stems from their solid performance as they track market indexes such as the S&P 500, Dow Jones Industrial Average and Nasdaq Composite. Passive Investment products have generated strong returns, given that the market indexes have been trending up. The S&P 500 which most track is already up by 26% in 2024 after gaining 24% in 2023.

Likewise, environmental, social, and governance considerations are gaining prominence in the asset management sector. Consequently, managers are under immense pressure to integrate these factors into their investment processes.

“ESG will increasingly become an important part of the due diligence process, which is where active managers like ourselves can make a difference not only by delivering alpha but also by identifying those companies that are set to contribute the most to a sustainable future,” said Mr. Ford.

Asset management stocks are crucial in the financial sector, earning revenue through advisory and management fees. They offer stability and diversification for investors, despite operating in a highly regulated environment.

Source: Pexels

Our Methodology

To make our list of best asset management stocks to buy according to hedge funds, we scanned the US markets for the biggest asset managers by market cap. We settled on asset managers with solid underlying fundamentals and tremendous upside potential. Finally, we ranked the stocks in ascending order based on the number of hedge funds that hold stakes in them.

At Insider Monkey, we are obsessed with the stocks that hedge funds pile into. The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 275% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 150 percentage points (see more details here).

10 Best Asset Management Stocks to Buy According to Hedge Funds

10. Artisan Partners Asset Management Inc. (NYSE:APAM) 

Number of Hedge Fund Holders as of Q3 2024: 22

Artisan Partners Asset Management Inc. (NYSE:APAM) is an asset manager that provides services to pension and profit-sharing plans, trusts, endowments, foundations, charitable organizations and government entities. It manages separate client-focused equity and fixed-income portfolios. It boasts an impressive 5.77% dividend yield and has paid dividends for 12 consecutive years.

In addition, Artisan Partners Asset Management Inc. (NYSE:APAM) has registered decent organic growth. Its net revenue has increased at a compound annual growth rate of 3.3% over the last five years. Its revenue for the first nine months was up 12.2% compared to the previous year’s period.  The robust growth stems from a diverse product offering and investment strategy, which allows the company to generate significant client fees.

Artisan Partners Asset Management Inc. (NYSE:APAM) delivered solid third-quarter results on October 30, 2024. Revenues logged in at $279.6 million, up 12.4% year-over-year. The increase can be attributed to an 11.7% increase in management fees, totaling $174.7 million. Artisan Partners demonstrates its steady growth and strategic expansion through strong financial results despite difficulties in the fixed-income market. Delivering long-term shareholder value remains the company’s top priority, with a focus on financial stability and shareholder commitment.

9. T. Rowe Price Group Inc. (NASDAQ:TROW)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders as of Q3 2024: 26

T. Rowe Price Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:TROW) is an asset management firm that provides services to individuals, institutional investors, retirement plans, financial intermediaries, and institutions. It launches and manages equity and fixed-income mutual funds.  It also invests in public equity and fixed-income markets across the globe.

The company charges fees for providing financial services to customers who buy its mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and other investment products. T. Rowe Price Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:TROW) is up by about 14% year to date.

The outperformance comes from the company delivering strong financial results that underscore strong demand for its services and products. It reported strong third-quarter results on November 3, 2024. Its assets under management were up 3.9% year-over-year to $1.63 trillion. Even as net outflow increased by 18%, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:TROW) delivered an 18% increase in adjusted earnings per share to $2.57.

Furthermore, TROW reported strong net inflows of $3.6 billion in the target date franchise and inflows of almost $1 billion in the ETF business. T. Rowe Price Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:TROW)’s outlook remains upbeat, with positive trends in active stocks and mutual funds anticipated and more advancement expected in 2025. The company has returned over $1.1 billion to shareholders in the first nine months of the year, affirming its ability to generate shareholder value.