MAN Group’s shares received a boost even though its assets under management (AUM) declined yet again.

Its AUM dropped 9 per cent to $58.4 billion (£38 billion) at the end of December 2011 from $64.5 billion (£42 billion) three months previously, and $69.1 billion (£45 billion) in March 2011.

The firm suffered net outflows of $2.5 billion (£1.6 billion) during the quarter as fund sales of $3.1 billion (£2 billion) failed to offset redemptions of $5.6 billion (£3.6 billion).

However, the results were an improvement on its third quarter results, which reported redemptions of $7.6 billion (£5 billion).

Investors saw the results as better-than-expected, as MAN Group shares had sold off heavily on rumours of poor performance, so the statement caused the share price to rally, up 5.32 per cent at 112.8p at 10am.

Peter Clarke, chief executive of MAN Group, conceded that the second half of 2011 had been tough for the company due to increased market volatility and reduced liquidity.

Clarke commented, ‘Looking ahead, our unique breadth of investment styles positions us well to capture positive performance as markets normalise and trading opportunities re-emerge.

‘With a strong capital base and continued focus on efficiency and performance, we are well placed to benefit when investor demand improves.’

The efficiency drive has resulted in a further $75 million (£49 million) of cost-cutting measures, in addition to the $40 million (£26 million) announced last year.

Brokers Espirito Santo claimed the statement was a mixed bag in relation to its expectations, but maintained its forecast of $63.7 billion (£42 billion) in AUM by the end of 2012, with adjusted earnings per share at 13.8 cents (9p), up from 10.5 cents (7p) currently.