MQ5: Investment by Insurance Companies, Pension Funds and Trusts: Quarter 3 (July to September) 2015

• Total net investment by insurance companies, pension funds and trusts is estimated at £33 billion in the third quarter (July to September) of 2015. This was the highest level of net investment since the second quarter of 2009

• The Quarter 3 2015 estimate of net investment by unit trusts and property unit trusts (£26 billion) was the highest level of net investment since records began in 1987

• The net investment of £24 billion in overseas securities in Quarter 3 2015 was the largest since the start of this series in 1986. This was driven by net investment in ordinary shares (£23 billion)

• This release reports on these institutions’ balance sheets at the end of 2014. Total assets were valued at £3,655 billion compared with £3,473 billion at the end of 2013, an increase of 5%

• The total net investment of £13 billion in 2014 was the lowest since the start of this series in 1987

Information about the investment choices of insurance companies, self-administered pension funds, investment trusts, unit trusts and property unit trusts. This release contains quarterly net investment data arising from financial transactions (investments and disinvestments) made by these institutional groups. Also included are quarterly balance sheet data for short-term assets and liabilities, along with quarterly income and expenditure data for insurance companies and self-administered pension funds. All data are reported at current prices (effects of price changes included).

Every Quarter 3 (July to September) release contains annual balance sheet data for all the institutional groups; providing information on the market values of assets and liabilities. Annual income and expenditure data for insurance companies are also reported at this time.

A question often asked of the MQ5 release is “why does it only cover certain institutional groups?” The answer is that these institutions control a substantial level of assets (over £3 trillion) and engage in considerable volumes of investment activity to fund their operations. An understanding of their investments and assets is important in order to monitor the stability of the financial sector and is used in the compilation of the UK National Accounts.

We make every effort to provide informative commentary on the data in this release. As part of the quality assurance process, individual businesses are contacted in an attempt to capture reasons for extreme period-on-period data movements. It can prove difficult to elicit detailed reasons from some businesses to help inform the commentary. Frequently, reasons given for data movements refer to a “change in investment strategy” or a “fund manager’s decision”. Consequently, it is not possible for all data movements to be fully explained.

We are aware that a number of users make use of these data for modelling or forecasting purposes. In doing so, careful attention should be paid to the revisions policy (113.1 Kb Pdf) for this release. Comparing the first published estimates of total net investment with the equivalent estimates published 3 years later, the average quarterly revision (without regard to sign) is £8 billion. The estimate of total net investment for Quarter 2 (April to June) 2015 (last quarter) has been revised downwards by £10 billion (see background note 7 for further information).

A glossary is available to assist users with their understanding of the terms used in this release.

There are several ways to view the data underlying this release.

The reference tables (1.82 Mb Excel sheet) show data from both the quarterly and annual series:

• Tables A to D combine information from the different institutions

• Section 1 combines information from the long-term and general insurance surveys

• Section 2 covers information from the surveys of long term insurance companies

• Section 3 covers information from the surveys of general insurance companies

• Section 4 covers information from the surveys of self-administered pension funds

• Section 5 covers information from the surveys of investment trusts

• Section 6 covers information from the surveys of unit and property unit trusts

If you are interested in particular series or groups of series covering a longer period of time (pre-2010), then you can access the data through the time series route. Information here is structured in a similar way to the reference tables.

The ONS Data Explorer and Open API are additional tools which enable users to access, use and customise data more effectively. The Data Explorer makes it easier for users to find, view and download data. The Open API allows data to be used directly by other applications. This quarter is the first time the MQ5 data has been available via this route. The data have been categorised into 4 datasets:

• MQ5QNI: Net investment by insurance companies, pension funds and trusts

• MQ5AAL: Assets and liabilities of insurance companies, pension funds and trusts

• MQ5QAD: Acquisitions and disposals of insurance companies, pension funds and trusts

• MQ5QH: Holdings of insurance companies, pension funds and trusts

There is scope to expand coverage of these datasets and/or add further datasets. We would be very keen on hearing your views – please email us: financial.inquiries@ons.gov.uk.

We are constantly aiming to improve this release and its associated commentary. We would welcome any feedback you might have, and would be particularly interested in knowing how you make use of these data to inform your work. Please contact us via email: Financial.Inquiries@ons.gov.uk or telephone Fred Norris on +44 (0)1633 456109.

The total assets of the businesses covered by this release (insurance companies, pension funds and trusts) were valued at £3,655 billion at the end of 2014, the latest period for which annual results are available. During 2014, these businesses acquired £1,613 billion and disposed of £1,581 billion longer-term financial instruments. Net investment is the difference between these substantial levels of acquisitions and disposals, as well as changes in holdings of short-term assets, and can therefore be volatile. Table 1 (at the end of this section) displays net investment data by asset type.

In Quarter 3 (July to September) 2015 there was net investment of £33 billion (Figure 1). Total net investment varies across the quarters of a calendar year and so an increase or decrease in investment from one quarter to the next is not necessarily an indicator of improved or worsening economic activity – these estimates are more likely to reflect varying investment strategies. In terms of context, the 5-year quarterly average for this series is net investment of £11 billion. The highest quarterly estimate of net investment since records began (in 1987) was £43 billion in Quarter 3 2007.

For 2014 as a whole, net investment reported by the institutions covered in this release is estimated at £13 billion. The 5-year annual average for this series is net investment of £42 billion.

Short-term assets

Investment in short-term assets (those maturing within 1 year of their originating date) can be affected by the level of the net inflows of funds into the businesses concerned (premiums or contributions, for example) and by the relative attractiveness of other investments, both in terms of their potential returns and in their perceived risk.

In Quarter 3 2015 there was net disinvestment of £3 billion in short-term assets (Figure 2). The 5-year quarterly average for this series is net investment of £3 billion.

There was net disinvestment in short-term assets in each of the years 2008, 2009 and 2010. This contrasts with all subsequent years, where a net investment has been reported. This longer-term comparison highlights how institutions, taking account of the prevailing economic climate, have chosen to restructure their investment portfolios.

UK government sterling securities (Gilts)

Gilts are fixed income or index-linked bonds issued by the UK government. On the primary gilt market, the purchaser of a gilt lends the government money in return for regular interest payments and the promise that the nominal value of the gilt will be repaid (redeemed) on a specified future date. These assets may then be bought and sold by investors in the secondary market. Gilts are very liquid assets which offer virtually risk-free returns.

The institutions covered by this release reported net investment in gilts in Quarter 3 2015 of £6 billion (Figure 3) and £8 billion in Quarter 2 (April to June) 2015, following net disinvestment in gilts in the previous 2 quarters. This may indicate a shift towards the relative security and liquidity of gilts. On 6 July 2015 the Financial Times, reflecting on recent investment trends, reported “increased appetite for gilts reflecting concerns over Greece and improving government finances”. The 5-year quarterly average for this series is net investment of £2 billion.

Net investment in gilts is estimated to have been £10 billion in 2014, following net investment of £13 billion in 2013. This was preceded by net disinvestment in 2011 and 2012. Looking at this annual picture, it would seem to suggest that some market participants (particularly pension funds) have been switching back to gilts in recent years, possibly in an attempt to avoid the relative volatility of equity markets.

In recent times, the market for gilts has been notably influenced by the Bank of England’s Quantitative Easing (QE) programme. Approximately £375 billion of gilts have been bought by the Bank under QE since the start of the programme in 2009.

Investment trends in gilts can best be explained by reviewing the role they play in financial markets. Gilts are attractive investments when interest rates are high and are likely to fall. If interest rates fall, the price of the gilt rises and it may therefore be sold at a profit. Conversely, if interest rates are low (as they have been since early 2009) the price of gilts is high and a loss might be anticipated if the stock is held to redemption. These characteristics, coupled with the QE programme, helps to explain the longer-term profile of net investment in gilts.

UK corporate securities and overseas securities

These asset categories comprise ordinary shares, corporate bonds and preference shares. In addition, non-UK government securities are included as part of overseas securities.

UK corporate securities

In Quarter 3 2015, there was net investment (£3 billion) in UK corporate securities (Figure 4). This was the first period of net investment since Quarter 3 2012 (£2 billion) and only the third quarter of net investment since the end of 2009. In terms of context, the 5-year quarterly average for this series is net disinvestment of £5 billion.

Overseas securities

In contrast to the general trend of net disinvestment in UK corporate securities, Figure 5 shows that in recent quarters, there has been net investment in overseas securities. This may indicate that businesses have more confidence in their ability to make money from overseas securities than they do from UK corporate securities.

In Quarter 3 2015, the institutions covered by this release reported net investment in overseas securities of £24 billion. This was the largest net investment in this asset type since the time series began in 1986 and was driven by net investment in overseas ordinary shares by unit trusts and property unit trusts (£18 billion).

In March 2015, the Daily Telegraph commented that: “Investors of all sizes, from individuals overseeing their Isas to huge institutional pension funds, are increasingly global in their outlook.” and that “This trend is gaining momentum so rapidly that most stockbrokers are refining their overseas shares service, cutting charges and offering new features such as the ability to hold different currencies or trade across many niche markets”.

The 5-year quarterly average for overseas securities is net investment of £6 billion.

Other assets

The category “other assets” covers UK and overseas investment in:

• mutual fund investments

• insurance-managed funds

• UK government securities denominated in foreign currency

• local authority and public corporation securities

• loans

• fixed assets

• insurance policies and annuities

• direct investment

• other assets not elsewhere classified

In Quarter 3 2015, there was net investment of £3 billion in other assets (Figure 6). In terms of context, the 5-year quarterly average for other assets is net investment of £6 billion.

Net investment data for each of the institutional groups covered by this release are displayed in Table 2 (at the end of this section).

Long-term insurance companies

These are companies which provide either protection in the form of life assurance or critical illness policies, or investment in the form of pension provision.

Long-term insurance companies showed net investment of £5 billion in the third quarter (July to September) of 2015 (Figure 7). This was the first period of net investment since Quarter 4 (October to December) 2012 (£2 billion). The 5-year quarterly average for this series is net disinvestment of £1 billion.

In Quarter 3 2015, long-term insurance companies reported net investment of £2 billion in overseas securities. This was driven by net investment of £4 billion in overseas ordinary shares, which was the largest net investment in this asset type by these businesses since Quarter 3 2007.

General insurance companies

These are companies which undertake other types of insurance such as motor, home and travel. This type of insurance is usually over a shorter period, most commonly 12 months.

General insurance companies showed net investment in Quarter 3 2015 of £2 billion (Figure 8). The 5-year quarterly average for this series is net disinvestment of £0.1 billion.

Self-administered pension funds

These are funds established by pension scheme trustees to facilitate and organise the investment of employees’ retirement funds.

Self-administered pension funds reported net investment in Quarter 3 2015 of £7 billion (Figure 9). The 5-year quarterly average for this series is net investment of £5 billion.

In Quarter 3 2015, self-administered pension funds reported net investment in overseas securities of £5 billion. This was the largest net investment in this asset type by these businesses since Quarter 3 2010.

Net investment in gilts by self-administered pension funds is estimated to be £14 billion in 2014, following net investment of £17 billion in 2013. These are the highest levels of net investment in gilts by these businesses since the time series began in 1963.

Investment trusts

Investment trusts acquire financial assets with money subscribed by shareholders or borrowed in the form of loan capital. Investment trusts are not trusts in the legal sense, but are limited companies with 2 special characteristics: their assets consist of securities (mainly ordinary shares) and they are debarred by their articles of association from distributing capital gains as dividends. Shares of investment trusts are traded on the Stock Exchange and increasingly can be bought direct from the company.

In the third quarter of 2015, investment trusts reported net investment of £0.5 billion, in line with the 5-year quarterly average for this series.

Unit trusts and property unit trusts

Unit trusts include open-ended investment companies (OEICs) but do not cover other unitised collective investment schemes or those based offshore. They are set up under trust deeds; the trustee usually being a bank or insurance company. The funds in the trusts are managed not by the trustees, but by independent management companies. Units representing a share in the trusts’ assets can be bought from the managers or resold to them at any time.

Property unit trusts invest predominantly in freehold or leasehold commercial property yet may hold a small proportion of their investments in the securities of property companies.

Unit trusts and property unit trusts have reported net investment in each quarter since Quarter 4 2007. In Quarter 3 2015, unit trusts and property unit trusts reported net investment of £26 billion (Figure 10). This was the highest level of net investment by these businesses since the series began in 1987. The five-year quarterly average for this institutional group is £12 billion.

In Quarter 3 2015, unit trusts and property unit trusts reported net investment in overseas ordinary shares of £18 billion. This was the largest net investment by these businesses in overseas ordinary shares since the start of this time series in 1986.

The full-year estimate of net investment for 2014 (£49 billion) follows net investment of £53 billion in 2012 and £51 billion in 2013.

Rather than provide analysis on total income and expenditure for the institutional groups, it is considered more beneficial to users, based on their feedback, if commentary is concentrated on particular components. For insurance companies, premiums and claims are the focus, while contributions (net of refunds) and payments are the focus for self-administered pension funds (see Table 3, at the end of this section). It should be noted that income and expenditure data are not currently collected for the trusts institutional group.

Long-term insurance companies

In the third quarter of 2015 (July to September), the value of long-term insurance premiums was £31 billion (Figure 11), broadly in line with the 5-year quarterly average for this time series (£28 billion).

The value of premiums exceeded the value of claims between 2003 (when records for this series began) and 2007. However, this trend reversed and has continued in each of the years 2008 to 2014. In 2014, the value of claims was 32% greater than the value of premiums.

In Quarter 3 2015, claims (£35 billion) were approximately 14% greater than the value of premiums (£31 billion).

General insurance companies

For general insurance, premiums (£8 billion) were around 51% greater than the value of claims (£5 billion) in Quarter 3 2015 (Figure 12).

Self-administered pension funds

Contributions to self-administered pension funds (net of refunds) in Quarter 3 2015 (£9 billion) were lower than the 5-year quarterly average for this series of £11 billion.

In recent years there seems to be a pattern for pension funds to make one-off payments in Quarter 1 (January to March) of a given year, in order to reduce the deficits in their funds. This would lead to generally higher net contributions in this quarter compared with other quarters of the year (Figure 13). A possible explanation for this pattern is that companies with defined benefit schemes, while compiling their end of year accounts, are better placed to determine the level of contributions needed to fund any deficit. Deficits can be addressed in the form of employers’ special contributions. Estimates of these one-off payments were relatively high in the first quarters of 2012 (£8 billion), 2013 (£8 billion), 2014 (£5 billion) and 2015 (provisionally estimated at £4 billion).

Market value is an estimate for how much the assets would be bought or sold for on the market, at a given time. The total assets held by insurance companies, pension funds and trusts (at market values) has increased each year since 2008 and at the end of 2014 was valued at £3,655 billion. This compares with £3,473 billion at the end of 2013 (Figure 14). This rise of 5% reflects both the revaluation of assets held through the year and the balance between the sales of some assets and the purchase of others (net investment or transactions).

Between 2013 and 2014, the value of assets rose for each of the 5 asset types except for other assets (Figure 15). The value of assets increased for short-term assets (by 15%), UK government sterling securities (by 11%), overseas securities (by 8%) and UK corporate securities (by 1%). The value of other assets decreased by 5%.

In 2014, overseas securities were the largest asset type as a proportion of total holdings (30%).

Holdings of UK corporate securities as a proportion of total holdings has decreased from 29% in 2009 to 23% in 2014 (Figure 16). Over the same period (2009 to 2014), short-term assets as a proportion of total holdings increased (from 11% to 15%), UK government sterling securities (gilts) increased (from 12% to 14%) and other assets decreased (from 19% to 18%).

Analysing patterns of investment and the final value of different asset types during 2014 highlights some of the defining features of financial markets during this period (Table 4). For example, the institutions covered by this release disinvested £23 billion in UK corporate securities in 2014, but the value of their holdings in 2014 increased by 1%.

Balance sheet estimates for the end of 2014, showed that the value of overseas ordinary shares held by the institutions covered by this release continued to exceed the value of UK ordinary shares (Table 5). This trend was seen for the first time in 2010 (this time series started in 1964). Since 2009, holdings in overseas ordinary shares have increased by 48%, while holdings of UK ordinary shares increased by only 2%. This may suggest that investors feel overseas share markets offer a more profitable return.

In 2014, “mutual funds and assets not elsewhere classified” comprised 79% of the other assets total, which is in line with estimates in previous years (Table 6).