The turbulences witnessed in global financial markets during the first quarter of 2025 led to a fall in Austrian investment funds’ assets under management by 1.2% or €2.8 billion to €227.8 billion. This is a finding from the Austrian Financial Market Authority’s Quarterly Report for Asset Management, which was published today. Mixed funds remain the largest funds category, with €104.1 billion of managed assets, a 1.4% fall quarter-on-quarter. The other main categories are bond funds (€62.9 billion, almost unchanged), equity funds (€46.2 billion, minus 1.7%) and real estate funds (€7.7 billion, minus 4.5%).
Nevertheless the total of 2,102 Austrian funds approved for distribution posted quarter-on-quarter net inflows of €624 million, driven primarily by inflows to equity funds (plus €1.088 billion) and bond funds (plus €215 million). There were again net outflows during the first three months of the year for real estate funds (minus €325 million) and mixed funds (minus €347 million).
The opening months of 2025 were also marked by implementation of a new European Guideline, that place new rules on funds if they use ESG or sustainability-related terms in the fund name – which forms an important reason for parts of the public when deciding on which fund to buy. The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) Guidelines determined on a European basis for the first time: where the fund’s name implies a specific ESG investment objective, then at least 80% of the managed assets must also meet this objective, and certain exceptions apply. The provision vary depending on the specific term used (“ESG”, “sustainable” etc.).
Regarding the implementation of the ESMA Guidelines on 21 May 2025, 239 Austrian funds fell within their scope of application. Of these, 186 funds managing €38.2 bn in assets amended their fund rules to the ESMA Guidelines’ requirements. 53 funds with a volume of €5.46 billion either removed the ESG reference from their name or closed the fund. As a result almost 80% (by number) or 90% (by volume) of Austrian funds have complied with the Guidelines.
All further data, facts and figures can be found in the FMA’s Quarterly Report on Asset Management (in German only). Information about ESG naming rules can be found on the FMA Website.
Journalists may address further enquiries to:
Boris Gröndahl (FMA Media Spokesperson)
Telephone: +43 (1) 249 59-6010
Mobile: +43 676 8824 9995
E-Mail: [email protected]