5/16/2000

Like a patient suitor, Affiliated Managers Group knows how to wait for the right partner - a strategy that has helped the firm jump six pegs on The Boston Globe 100 ranking to the number eight spot.

CEO William Nutt and other Affiliated Managers executives are known for taking their time when making acquisitions. (Globe Staff Photo / Janet Knott) 1. Eaton Vance Corp. 2. Analog Devices 3. RSA Security Inc. 4. EMC Corp. 5. Brooktrout Inc. 6. Biogen Inc. 7. Staples Inc. 8. Affiliated Managers 9. Millipore Corp. 10. State Street Corp. The 2000 Globe 100

Executives at the Boston asset-management firm have been known to sit on the fence for more than a year while pondering whether an acquisition target fits into their strategy.

Affiliated Managers' rapidly expanding empire now includes 15 midsize money management companies, including Boston's Essex Investment Co., Frontier Capital Management, the Managers Fund, Rorer Asset Management, and Tweedy, Browne Co.

In all, Affiliated Managers manages more than $90 billion in assets.

Unlike its competitors, Affiliated Managers does not take full ownership.

Instead, it leaves existing managers with significant interest, believing they will be more driven to improve their businesses.

''It's more than just the numbers,'' said Mark Constant, an analyst with Lehman Brothers.

''It's avoiding getting into the wrong firms. If you're looking to cash out and spend time in the Bahamas, you'd be stupid to sell to AMG.''

STEPHANIE STOUGHTON