Aberdeen under pressure as profits barely cover dividends

falling profits at the fund management giant Aberdeen are set to put pressure on its payouts to investors after a bruising year of stock market shocks and new regulation burdens.  Aberdeen is expected to report its fourth consecutive year of net withdrawals from its funds on Monday, and profits are forecast to fall more than 6pc to £331m. While most City analysts expect the company to maintain its dividend payment at 19.5p per share, Martin Gilbert’s firm could be forced to dip into its cash reserves to pay investors if profits disappoint. Aberdeen has vowed to strip away costs of up to £70m during the coming year to help stabilise profits as clients continue to pull their cash away from its investment strategies, particularly those that have been badly hit by declines in emerging markets.