Investors turn their backs on bond funds

No fixed interest funds are among the top-10 sellers of the last month, according to FE inflows data, demonstrating an increase in risk appetite following a strong run for equity markets in recent weeks.

While the likes of M&G Optimal Income, M&G Corporate Bond and M&G Strategic Corporate Bond all make the overall top-10 list over three and six months, star manager Richard Woolnough has experienced a decrease in demand of late.

Aviva Inv Corporate Bond and Henderson Fixed Interest Monthly Income, which have also proved popular in 2011, have also seen their inflows slow in the last month. 

Income remains the biggest theme, although investors appear more willing to try their chances with the equity markets rather than through a less volatile bond fund.

Invesco Perpetual High Income, Newton Asian Income and the HSBC FTSE All Share Index funds are all among the best sellers.

Multi-asset funds also remain popular, with the Henderson Cautious Managed and Newton Real Return funds included in the top-10. 

Overall best-selling funds over 1-month

Henderson - Cautious Managed

Invesco Perp - High Income

Newton - Real Return

Baillie Giff - Diversified Growth

Baring - Multi Asset

Newton - Asian Income

BlackRock - Cautious Portfolio

HSBC - FTSE All Share Index

Cazenove - UK Opportunities

First State - Global Emerging Markets Leaders

Source: FE Analytics

The trend was also evident in The Share Centre’s top-10 best-sellers list for July which, for the first time since April, did not include a single fixed interest portfolio. 

FE Alpha Manager Neil Woodford’s Invesco Perpetual High Income fund once again featured, sitting alongside the L&G UK Index and Newton Global Higher Income funds in the top-three. 

The Share Centre’s best-selling funds in July

Legal & General UK Index

Invesco Perpetual High Income

Newton Global Higher Income

Legg Mason Japan Equity

AXA Framlington Biotech

Jupiter Global Managed

Schroder Asian Income Maximiser

BlackRock Gold & General

Fidelity Enhanced Income

Threadneedle American Smaller Companies

Source: FE Analytics

"July’s top-10 funds clearly show that investor appetite for additional income shows no sign of diminishing, as does investors' interest in seeking and exploiting opportunities from outside of the UK shorelines," said Andy Parsons, head of investment research at The Share Centre. 

"It is also interesting to note that this is the first time for a couple of months that no debt fund, neither sovereign nor corporate, has appeared within the top-10." 

Parsons says the increasing risk appetite and focus on income and geographical diversification is typified by the fund that takes the number-three spot. 

"In third place was the Newton Global Higher Income fund. With a truly global investment mandate, strong track record and an impressive manager at the helm in the shape of James Harries, investors have clearly shown appetite for seeking income away from the core traditional UK Equity Income sector," he explained. 

"In fourth and fifth place were two funds that clearly demonstrated an appetite for risk, sector and geographical specialism."

"The Legg Mason Japan Equity fund specifically focuses on smaller companies within the region, whilst the AXA Framlington Biotech fund offers investors an opportunity to benefit from those companies involved in the biotechnology, genomic and medical research industries."

"By the very nature of the industry, this fund will always have a high exposure to the US," he added. 

Global markets have risen considerably of late, with the FTSE 100 and S&P 500 up 11 and 8 per cent respectively since 1 June.

While investors appear to be becoming more bullish, a number of high-profile industry experts remain wary. A recent FE Trustnet article highlighted the cautious views of Aberdeen’s Bruce Stout, MAM’s James Sullivan and Cazenove’s Robin McDonald, to name but a few.