London, Jan 19, 2026, 14:35 GMT — Regular session
- Shares of Aberdeen Group dropped roughly 2% in afternoon trading, shedding part of the gains they made last week
- Broader UK equities dropped as renewed U.S. tariff threats shook risk appetite
- Wednesday’s assets-and-flows update is drawing investor attention for signs of client money shifts
Shares in Aberdeen Group plc slipped 2.1% to 220.4 pence by 1435 GMT, marking it as one of the lagging financial stocks amid a risk-off mood in European markets. 1
The timing was crucial, coming as London markets wrestled with new trade tensions. The FTSE 100 fell 0.6% earlier following U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat to impose tariffs on Britain and seven other European countries, rattling investors and stirring worries of an escalating trade war. 2
Aberdeen investors face tricky timing. The firm will release its Q4 2025 assets under management (AUM) and flows update on Jan. 21, with full-year results set for March 3, as per its financial calendar. 3
“The market moves underline how disruptive tariff threats remain,” ING economists said. Capital.com analyst Kyle Rodda added that trade uncertainty might put “some downside pressure” on equities after a quiet start to the year. 4
Aberdeen’s shares continued their wild ride this month, moving between 217.8 pence and 224.0 pence on Monday, after kicking off the day at 221.0 pence, according to market data. 5
Aberdeen, previously known as abrdn, operates investment and adviser services. Its earnings often fluctuate with market conditions since fee income depends on assets under management. 6
Client money remains a major hurdle. In October, the firm posted another quarter of outflows and warned that more withdrawals were likely before year-end as it tried to turn around performance. 7
Management has shifted focus to sectors it considers more resilient. In December, Aberdeen announced plans to acquire roughly $2 billion in U.S. closed-end fund assets through a consolidation deal. 8
There’s a chance the tape turns choppy before any update arrives. Should the tariff threat become policy and volatility spike, asset managers face a double whammy — tumbling markets shrink fee-based assets, while jittery clients might start withdrawing funds.
The next key event is Wednesday’s AUM-and-flows update and analyst call. Investors will be watching closely for any indication that net flows are stabilising following recent market gains.