Spare a thought for 95% of European asset managers forced to scrounge a living from one fifth of the €7.1 trillion ($9.6 trillion) in regional assets left over once the stars have captured their share.

At the end of 2009, 79 managers were responsible for €5.7 trillion in Europe-based mutual fund assets, according to figures from data monitors, Lipper and Fitch Ratings. A total of 1,497 fund management groups were left with €1.4 trillion.