German fund manager DWS returned to net inflows in the first quarter, benefiting from various sales deals it struck last year — as parent Deutsche Bank confirmed its willingness to consider deeper partnerships or mergers and acquisitions for its subsidiary.

Investors put a net €2.5bn into DWS funds during the three months to March 31; a turnaround from the net withdrawals posted throughout 2018, and the missed business targets that were a contributing factor to the departure of chief executive Nicolas Moreau.