Mutual Funds | |
Mutual Funds | |
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Tuesday,
March 26, 2019 2:00PM / First Ally / Header Image Credit: Moneycontrol
The first mutual fund (investment fund) was set up in 1774 in Netherlands by a Dutch merchant known as Adriaan Van Ketwich. Van Ketwich’s fund ran for about 49 years, but his innovation created a hallmark for personal investing globally and emergency of other mutual funds in Europe and its surroundings. Globally today we have over 100,000 mutual funds with a majority concentrated in the United States.
Mutual Funds emerged in Nigeria in the
early 1990s following the rapid growth in the financial sector after the
implementation of the deregulation policy. Over the years, there has been a
significant increase in the number of mutual funds as investors interest
increases. Mutual funds have become a vehicle used by
both advisors and institutions to access investible funds and diversify
portfolios.
Figure 1: Evolution & Mutual
Fund in Nigeria
Source: SEC, FAAM Research
As at December 2018, the sector’s total asset under management (AUM) was in excess of N600 Billion, with money market funds accounting for 67%. In comparison, this figure is 55%, 29%, 13% and 2% for Ghana, South Africa, United States and the United Kingdom respectively. In these markets, equity based funds dominate the sector. However, in Nigeria equity based funds are only 3% of Nigeria’s mutual funds. This figure rises to 17%, 19%, 46% and 59% for Ghana, South Africa, United States and the United Kingdom respectively.
Figure 2: Mutual Fund Composition
Source: ICI, Morningstar, SEC, FAAM Research
Economic Indicators
In a comparison of the mutual funds to
the population and AUM contributions to GDP, Nigeria’s asset management
industry ranked lower than other economies. In a group consisting of Ghana,
South Africa, United Kingdom and the United States, Nigeria ranked better than
Ghana alone on AUM contribution to GDP. While in term of access to mutual
funds, Nigeria ranked the lowest.
Table 1: Economic Indicators
Money Market Fund
A money market fund is an open-ended
mutual fund that invests in short-term debt securities characterized by short
maturities and minimal risk. They’re one of the lowest-volatility types of
investment. The funds balance income generation with capital preservation by
adopting a conservative investment strategy.
In Nigeria, average returns on Money Market Funds are very competitive in comparison to the average interest on savings account and inflation rate. Looking at other countries within our coverage, average returns on Money Market Funds exceeded the average interest savings accounts and inflation rate except in the United Kingdom where average return on Money Market Fund outperformed the average interest on saving accounts but was below inflation rate.
Figure 3: Comparing
MMF Return, Savings Rate & Rate of Inflation
Source: Deposit, NBS, NSE, ICI, FAAM Research
There is a positive correlation between
yield on a 364-day T-bill yield and growth in the industry’s AUM. The data also
show a negative relationship between the returns on Nigeria All Share Index
(NSE ASI) and 364-T-bill yield.
Table 2:
Correlation Analysis
Source: FAAM Research
Summary
Conclusion
The money market fund continues to evolve and grow. It is as an efficient vehicle for investors who may be interested in fixed deposit placement or hybrid current/savings account but seek to achieve higher returns on their investment.
Money market funds in Nigeria have not been fully exploited by short and medium term investors as there is room for more funds in relation to the population. In particular, low income earners that have limited or no access to other money market instruments except savings accounts will benefit from the advent of more money market funds.
In line with this, there is a need for the government and financial/investment houses to sensitize the public of the need of alternative investments such as mutual funds, the benefits. This will create awareness in the market and go a long way in creating strong relationship between the investors and investees.
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