Janus Predicts Turnaround By Year-End Via Returns

Despite suffering massive outflows in recent years, Janus Capital Group's chief investment officer, Gary Black, is confident that the company will deliver the sound performance necessary for the firm to make a turnaround by year-end.

Janus has increased the number of stocks it covers from 500 to 1,000, added 10 analysts and strengthened its process on when to sell a stock. In addition, its portfolio managers are also focusing on stock valuations and putting their money, once again, on growth, which they think is poised to make a comeback this year, Black said.

After experiencing outflows of roughly $500 million to $1 billion a month after the scandal broke, Janus certainly is in need of strong performance to regain investors' trust; Dutch insurer ING Group NV recently announced it will pull out $2.6 billion in April.

"Investors want to be shown that Janus can put up great numbers consistently," Black said. "If we keep putting up the great numbers we've put up over the last three years, the assets return."

The dip in assets under management, which affects revenues negatively, has forced operating margins down to about 22% from a previous company norm of about 30%. Still, Black pointed out that in spite of low, single-digit returns at some of its biggest funds, Janus has ranked in the top third of its peers.

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