Fund research

Marlborough UK Micro Cap Growth Fund research update

By Kate Marshall | Thu 23 May 2013
The Marlborough UK Micro Cap Growth Fund was launched in 2004 since which point it has been managed by Giles Hargreave, a specialist in smaller company investing. The fund specifically focuses on the micro-cap market, though Marlborough has recently announced plans to amend the fund's investment policy.

Threadneedle UK Equity Alpha Income Fund research update

By Richard Troue | Wed 22 May 2013
The current investment climate is very much against the saver. With inflation approaching 3% and interest rates on cash deposits typically around 1.5%, the value of investors’ capital is gradually being eroded.

Henderson Global Equity Income Fund research update

By Charlie Huggins | Tue 21 May 2013
The global equity income sector has enjoyed a surge in popularity over recent years. Last year the sector saw net inflows of more than £1bn from retail investors, almost double that of the UK Equity Income sector, according to Investment Management Association statistics.

Newton Higher Income Fund research update

By Kate Marshall | Mon 20 May 2013
The Newton Higher Income fund has recently undergone a reconstruction following the appointment of Richard Wilmot as manager in December 2012. Previously the fund focused on providing as high a yield as possible. This proved unsustainable and came at the expense of capital growth. Richard Wilmot now seeks to achieve good overall total returns, focusing on the growth of both income and capital over time.

Templeton Global Bond Fund research update

By Richard Troue | Fri 17 May 2013
Fears over Europe breaking apart, Chinese economic growth slowing significantly, and a second recession in the US have abated. This has provided welcome relief for investors so far in 2013 and financial markets have performed well.

Newton Asian Income Fund research update

By Kate Marshall | Thu 16 May 2013
As Asian companies have developed alongside their economies, there has been an increasing willingness to share profits with shareholders in the form of dividends. Indeed, Asia (excluding Japan) now accounts for 28% of stocks yielding greater than 3% globally.

Schroder ISF Emerging Markets Debt Absolute Return Fund research update

By Richard Troue | Wed 15 May 2013
The Schroder ISF Emerging Markets Debt Absolute Return Fund, managed by Geoff Blanning and his team, invests in bonds issued by emerging market governments and corporations; and directly in emerging market currencies.

Standard Life UK Equity Unconstrained Fund research update

By Charlie Huggins | Mon 13 May 2013
While many fund managers sought to ‘weather-proof’ their portfolio during the credit crunch, Ed Legget, manager of the Standard Life UK Equity Unconstrained Fund, took a somewhat different approach. He used the opportunity to invest in a number of economically-sensitive companies at very low valuations.

Invesco Perpetual Tactical Bond Fund research update

By Kate Marshall | Fri 10 May 2013
The last five years have proved a challenging time for bond fund managers. Since the financial crisis, markets have remained vastly unpredictable and investors have continued to switch back and forth from being highly risk averse to being risk takers. However, volatility presents opportunities and having the flexibility to invest across the entire bond universe, as afforded to more strategic bond funds, means managers can exploit value wherever they see opportunity.

GLG Technology Equity Fund research update

By Richard Troue | Thu 09 May 2013
Technology giant Apple recently reported its first profit decline for a decade. In the first quarter of 2013 profits fell 18%, compared with a year earlier, to $9.6 billion. Elsewhere, revenue rose 11% and iPad sales jumped 65%, so the results were hardly a disaster.

Liontrust Income Fund research update

By Kate Marshall | Wed 08 May 2013
The Liontrust Income Fund will broaden its investment universe by having full flexibility to invest globally, effective from 3 July 2013. We recently spoke to James Inglis-Jones about the planned changes to the fund.

CF Lindsell Train UK Equity Fund research update

By Charlie Huggins | Wed 08 May 2013
Companies supplying global consumer brands, such as Unilever (which manufactures Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, PG Tips and Dove Soap amongst its 400 brands) and Diageo (producer of Smirnoff and Johnnie Walker whisky) have proved resilient over the last few years, despite the weak economic backdrop. The strong cash flows and resilient earnings enjoyed by these companies have been highly prized by investors in these uncertain times, making Consumer Goods one of the strongest performing sectors over the last few years.