Funds

The latest fund launches, manager moves and research into investment companies

Witan shakes up UK equity portfolio

Witan shakes up UK equity portfolio

18 Jun 2013

The £1.4 billion Witan Investment Trust, which invests in other funds, has dumped NewSmith Asset Management and handed its £75 million UK equity portfolio to Heronbridge Investment Management.

Anthony Bolton to leave Fidelity China Special Situations: how the new manager will change the fund

Anthony Bolton to leave Fidelity China Special Situations: how the new manager will change the fund

17 Jun 2013

The feted Anthony Bolton, manager of the £700 million Fidelity China Special Situations fund, has confirmed that he will retire in April 2014.

Trust resists calls for action on discount

Trust resists calls for action on discount

14 Jun 2013

The chairman of the £250 million Hansa Trust has defended his fund’s reluctance to buy back its shares to control its discount.

‘I deserve the wooden spoon,’ admits fund manager

‘I deserve the wooden spoon,’ admits fund manager

14 Jun 2013

James Barstow, manager of the Aurora Investment Trust, has accepted that his fund has disappointed over the past year but expressed confidence that his portfolio of turnaround stocks will fulfil their potential in the months ahead.

Aberdeen fund admits series of wrong calls – but still soars over benchmark

Aberdeen fund admits series of wrong calls – but still soars over benchmark

13 Jun 2013

Hugh Young’s Aberdeen All Asia investment trust has recognised that it missed out on several growth opportunities over the past year, but still managed to beat the broader market comfortably.

Hargreaves Lansdown: ‘Nobody can buy their way on to the Wealth 150’

Hargreaves Lansdown: ‘Nobody can buy their way on to the Wealth 150’

12 Jun 2013

Fund supermarket Hargreaves Lansdown has defended the independence of its research following revelations of its more aggressive approach towards negotiating with fund groups.

Edinburgh Worldwide fund recognises ‘obvious concern’ about its dotcom exposure

Edinburgh Worldwide fund recognises ‘obvious concern’ about its dotcom exposure

11 Jun 2013

The £200 million Edinburgh Worldwide Investment Trust has introduced several new internet businesses to its portfolio, tipping them to complement existing information technology holdings rather than create a concentration risk.

Henderson Value Trust: an ‘each way bet’ for double-digit returns

Henderson Value Trust: an ‘each way bet’ for double-digit returns

10 Jun 2013

A long struggling fund has been tipped to deliver a double-digit return whether or not its performance improves, a team of analysts has argued.

Aberdeen fund buys into BG Group despite commodity aversion

Aberdeen fund buys into BG Group despite commodity aversion

6 Jun 2013

Shires Income, a FTSE-beating fund run by Aberdeen, has revealed that it has built a position in BG Group (LON:BG) following the oil and gas conglomerate’s recent struggles, despite wishing to remain underweight in the sector.

Sebastian Lyon: Complacent fund managers aren’t treating investors’ money like their own

Sebastian Lyon: Complacent fund managers aren’t treating investors’ money like their own

5 Jun 2013

The respected fund manager Sebastian Lyon, who oversees almost £3.25 billion of assets, has lamented others’ willingness to put investors’ money at risk by rushing into inflated markets.

Monks: ‘Clearly we got some things wrong’

Monks: ‘Clearly we got some things wrong’

5 Jun 2013

Gerald Smith, manager of the £1 billion Monks Investment Trust, has admitted to making mistakes in his stock-selection process and set out a strategy for turning around his fund’s performance.

Nick Train forgoes performance fee

Nick Train forgoes performance fee

31 May 2013

The chairman of the Lindsell Train Investment Trust has revealed that star manager Nick Train has agreed to relinquish a substantial portion of his annual bonus.

Bruce Stout: I’ll remain defensive until central bankers stop being so irresponsible

Bruce Stout: I’ll remain defensive until central bankers stop being so irresponsible

31 May 2013

Aberdeen’s respected fund manager Bruce Stout has confirmed that he will maintain a defensive posture until economies, rather than stock markets, rally.

Small-cap manager: There are too few investment opportunities, so I’m handing back cash

Small-cap manager: There are too few investment opportunities, so I’m handing back cash

30 May 2013

The Artemis Venture Capital Trust, which focuses on AIM-listed companies, has revealed that it plans to return money to shareholders due to a dearth of attractive investment options.

Equities jumps to first place for fund sales

Equities jumps to first place for fund sales

29 May 2013

Equities was the best-selling asset class in April 2013, with net retail sales of £799 million compared with £103 million in March, according to the Investment Management Association (IMA). 

Europe fund: Why predictable profits are overrated

Europe fund: Why predictable profits are overrated

29 May 2013

Dale Robertson, manager of the £300 million European Investment Trust, has revealed that he has been reducing his exposure to companies with ‘predictable profit streams’.