• Fund of Fund Managers. Highly evolved fund of fund managers selling to endowments and large institutions have raised significantly more assets than expected. Quantitative tools and improved reporting technology have led to the substantial growth in firms specializing in lower cost manager selection models that serve to diversify cautious university, Taft-Hartley and foundation assets.

    • Many such firms have now crossed into multiple billions in size and are high retention vehicles. Despite low fees, they can be quite profitable and should therefore find increased interest among buyers.

    While we are still a long way off from the pre-financial crisis days when it comes to deal flow in the industry, both opportunities and challenges are once again driving increased M&A activity in 2012 and beyond. By understanding the specific areas to monitor and the driving forces behind the activity uptick, participants in the industry can best develop their own planning and strategies for the future.

    Stephen Gibson is a Director for Gladstone Associates, LLC (http://www.GladstoneTA.com), where he leads the firm's Asset Management practice. Gladstone Associates is a national transaction and business advisory boutique, providing buy-side advisory, sell-side advisory, business transition planning, and strategic advisory services exclusively to Fee-Based Advisors, Money Managers, Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs), and Independent Broker Dealers.

    First « 1 2 » Next