Mutual funds target 2bn-euro assets in 2011

The domination of savings over investments will dictate the trend of mutual funds in 2011 as well, managers believe, expecting a 50% advance in net assets to 8.3bn RON (2bn euros) and the overshooting of the 300,000-investor mark.

The past two years have been record breaking years for the mutual fund industry, with managers succeeding in turning the changes the financial crisis brought in the curve of yields and investors' behaviour to their advantage. Thus, after in 2009, mutual funds' assets soared by 256% to 3.35bn RON, in 2010 the growth pace slowed down to around 70% and net assets of over 5.5bn RON (1.29bn euros) from a number of 221,000 investors.

The number of new investors that entered the industry last year revolved around 60,000, a record high figure considering the difficult economic environment, euro zone uncertainties, as well as last year's taxation changes.

Judging from the biggest fund managers' forecasts, 2011 is not due to be much different from 2010: the growth pace will maintain and low-risk funds will still be investors' favourites.