Clients show more faith than traders in the U.K.’s largest wealth manager despite troubles in its $4.5 billion segregated mandate.

St. James’ Place (SJP), the U.K.'s largest wealth manager, has become one of the most shorted companies in the FTSE 100, the «Financial Times» reported (behind paywall).

Even though it had net new money of more than $2.85 billion in the third quarter of 2019, taking assets under management to a total of $146 billion, the company has become the target of so-called short-sellers because it distributed what has now been identified as a troubled investment.

Behind the Move

Hedge funds and other investors have taken positions that would benefit from any fall in the company’s stock price, with the former shorting as much as 7.4 percent of SJP’s stock.

Despite its enduring popularity with the high-net-worth clientele in the country, some of the world’s best-performing funds, such Citadel and Blackrock are behind the move to short the stock, despite very little volatility in its price thus far. 

Tainted by Association?

A $4.5 billion segregated mandate with disgraced fund manager Neil Woodford is at the root of the wealth manager’s latest troubles.

The company was also confronted with allegations of sexual misconduct, reported by a whistleblower to the U.K.’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). The woman said she felt harassed by colleagues and superiors and under pressure to use her sexuality to push the firm's products. 

Complaining Footballers

Not long after, a group of retired footballers brought a lawsuit against the firm for advising them to invest in tax avoidance schemes. The 14 former clients alleged the wealth manager had suggested investments into film production and small businesses with a view to manipulating their tax liability.

In Asia, Saint James’ Place has offices in both Singapore and Hong Kong as well as several offices in China and although its appeal in the region is not as widespread as in its home market, it is one of the faster-growing financial intermediaries with a presence in all three key markets.