Aberdeen Asset Management saw £2.9bn of net outflows in the first quarter of 2017, a 16th consecutive period of redemptions but one which was viewed more positively by analysts.
While the quarterly net outflows continues the long-run trend of outflows, the firm's flagship emerging markets equities business saw £661m of net sales.
The improved first quarter figures come on the back of a £10.5bn outflow in the final quarter of 2016 - a year which saw the business lose a total of £34bn in net redemptions. Some analysts described Aberdeen's first quarter results an "inflection point" in the firm's fortunes, as it gears up to merge with Standard Life.
Over the six months as a whole, the firm's revenue and underlying profit also increased compared to a year earlier - due to the stemming of outflows and reduction in costs.
Assets under management returned to upward momentum due to market movements reaching £308bn by March 31 2017 after falling in the final quarter of 2016 to £302.7bn.
Alongside net inflows into emerging market equities, the business also saw investors return to its diversified growth funds and its Parmenion platform.
Over the three months, the bulk of Aberdeen's £2.9bn of net outflows came from its equities business, in particular Asia Pacific with £1.4bn of net outflows. Fixed income saw £150m of net outflows, but again, emerging market bond strategies brought in £173m of net net sales.
Chief executive Martin Gilbert said: "These figures reflect improving sentiment towards emerging markets combined with our transition to becoming a full-service asset manager."
Aberdeen chairman Simon Troughton added: "We believe the medium and long-term outlook for emerging markets remains compelling and our strong performance positions us well to benefit from investors allocating to these asset classes."
Aberdeen confirmed its merger with Standard Life is still set to be completed in Q3 2017.
