Anthony Bolton’s new Fidelity China fund has created a lot of interest in the region in recent weeks. We have completed our research and on balance, we have decided not to rate the trust at launch despite huge respect for Bolton’s track record. Our full report on the Fidelity China Special Situations fund is available for download. So if not Bolton, then what are the alternatives available to investors?
We prefer to choose Unit Trusts or OEICs with a global emerging markets remit or broader Asian mandate which widens the opportunity set for investment. When selecting managers we prefer those who are well established given the current market conditions.
Each of the funds below have been selected by our independent Research Team and have been identified as being run by managers we think are most likely to add value within their sector and whose investment style suits current market conditions.
Global Emerging Markets Funds
Aberdeen Emerging Markets
The Aberdeen’s Global Emerging Markets fund, managed by Hugh Young’s Asian team, invests in quality companies, whilst adopting a conservative approach
to valuing them. The focus on quality businesses is expected to lead to outperformance of the benchmark over the long term. The fund may underperform in strongly positive momentum markets, although typically it should also display less volatility in falling markets.
First State Global Emerging Market Leaders
The First State Global Emerging Market Leaders fund invests in a well diversified portfolio of high-quality stocks from across the market cap spectrum. The Manager, Jonathan Asante, favours stocks with long term growth prospects trading at reasonable valuations. Historically, this investment style has tended to provide greater downside protection relative to the emerging market indices, although it can also lead it to lag noticeably in strongly rising markets. The fund invests in larger emerging market companies with a stock market capitalisation of at least US$1bn.
Asian Funds
Aberdeen Asia Pacific
The Aberdeen Asia Pacific fund is managed by Hugh Young’s Asian Equity team, who have built up a long track record of superior performance in this sector with relatively low volatility. The team has grown over the years and has amassed considerable expertise in Asian stocks. They target companies able to generate sustainable long term returns at reasonable valuations. Historically this fund has outperformed in falling markets, but lagged when cyclical companies have outperformed.
Fidelity South East Asia
The Fidelity South East Asia fund, managed by Allan Liu, who runs a diversified portfolio of stocks and seeks to invest in companies that are growing. Over his entire track record Allan Liu has tended to outperform more frequently in rising markets, although portfolio positioning led to strong relative performance in difficult economic conditions in 2008.
First State Asia Pacific Leaders
The First State Asia Pacific Leaders fund is run by a highly experienced manager, Angus Tulloch, with an absolute return mindset to investment. Historically, this style has provided greater downside protection than local indices, whilst usually at least matching benchmarks in rising markets. Tulloch’s focus is on high quality, shareholder friendly companies, generally with a market capitalisation of at least US$1 billion.
China Funds
First State Greater China Growth
The First State Greater China Growth fund offers exposure to mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. The fund is constructed on a bottom up basis with little regard for benchmark weightings. The manager, Martin Lau, seeks companies that offer growth at a reasonable price in the belief that equity prices are ultimately driven by earnings. Lau has a successful track record managing money in this region, having previously been responsible for Greater China mandates at Invesco.
Your 2010 ISA
All the funds mentioned above are available inside a Stocks and Shares ISA. You can invest within an ISA using our online application. If you have already used this year’s allowance you can still invest outside of the ISA wrapper and buy online. Existing clients may prefer to invest through their client centre.
If there is anything else you wish to discuss please call one of our Advisers on 020 7189 9999.