This £362.2m fund is managed by Stuart O’Gorman and Ian Warmerdam and has a bias towards consumer technologies, with 9.2 per cent in Apple and more than 5 per cent each in Microsoft, Google and Samsung. Andy Parsons (pictured), head of research at The Share Centre, said: "The fund benefits from a shift in demographics that is helping to drive technological adoption. In some developing countries, demand for mobile phones is far greater than that for landlines."
"It is also well placed to benefit from changes in consumer behaviour as online shopping continues to grow and technology companies take advantage of this."
Data from FE Analytics shows that the fund has made 146.75 per cent over the past decade while the benchmark is up 111.1 per cent.
However, over three and five years it has underperformed both its sector and benchmark.
Performance of fund vs sector and benchmark over 10-yrs
| Name | 3yr | 5yr | 10yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSCI ACWI/Information Tech | 25.1 | 36.43 | 111.1 |
| Henderson - Global Technology |
23.95 | 39.06 | 146.75 |
| IMA Technology & Telecoms | 29.69 | 43 | 141.82 |
Source: FE Analytics
The fund is available with a minimum initial investment of £1,000 and has a total expense ratio (TER) of 1.82 per cent.
Artemis Global Energy
Parsons thinks that an expanding global population will also boost energy demand, and Artemis Global Energy, managed by John Dodd and Richard Hulf, should benefit.
"Although the fund was only launched in April 2011, and therefore has a very short performance history, we believe it may be suitable for those investors wishing to seek direct and specific exposure to the continual energy story," Parsons said.
The fund looks for companies engaged in the oil & gas sector, as well as energy generation and transmission, which have the potential to generate long-term capital growth, he explains.
Alongside these, it invests in companies that seek to develop and exploit new energy technologies.
Performance of fund vs benchmark since launch
Source: FE Analytics
The fund has performed in line with its benchmark since launch, losing 9.79 per cent, but Parsons says macroeconomics make it ready for a rebound.
"Energy and in particular fossil fuels are a major part of our lives and as global populations expand and countries develop, demand will increase while cheap and easily extractable sources deplete," he explained.
"Over the past couple of years, energy prices have generally risen strongly, helping boost the profits of many companies."
"In addition, the increasing demand for energy from the BRIC countries and what is generally perceived as the fixed supply of energy has also put upward pressure on energy costs."
The fund is available with a minimum initial investment of £1,000 and has a TER of 1.68 per cent.
Standard Life Global Smaller Companies
"The fund is co-managed by the highly respected and much acclaimed Harry Nimmo and his colleague Alan Rowsell," said Parsons.
"It was launched in January 2012 to allow the effective strategy and proven investment process Harry has run on the UK Smaller Companies fund to be taken to a wider portfolio of investment opportunities."
"This fund may be suitable for investors seeking global diversification across regions and market cap, albeit appreciating the added risk and volatility small cap companies generally exhibit."
Performance of fund vs sector since launch
Source: FE Analytics
The fund has made 8.76 per cent since launch, ahead of its IMA Global sector, which is up 5.57 per cent.
The portfolio has a TER of 1.84 per cent.
Jupiter India
"We have long held the belief that India has all the potential to become a major economic powerhouse, however it continues to be beset with numerous issues and has underperformed over the past couple of years," Parsons said.
"The Jupiter India fund is managed by Avinash Vazirani, who identifies companies from a bottom-up perspective, principally based on a 'growth at a reasonable price measure'."
"However, if an opportunity exists, he will be prepared to pay a premium if the earnings growth compensates for this."
"This fund may be suitable for higher-risk investors who can appreciate the economic opportunity this region affords and who are prepared to be patient."
The fund was launched in early 2008, meaning it has just shy of five years of performance history.
Data from FE Analytics shows it has significantly outperformed the MSCI India benchmark since then, making 40.5 per cent against just 2.57 per cent from the index.
It is available with a minimum initial investment of £500 and has a TER of 1.88 per cent.
SWIP UK Flexible Strategy
James Clunie’s £37.2m portfolio sits in the IMA Specialist sector, and aims to produce positive returns over the long-term in all market conditions, using short positions as well as long ones to achieve this.
Parsons commented: "Many funds that look to generate returns in all forms of market conditions have failed to deliver on these statements."
"Whilst it is fully appreciated that these types of funds are often left behind in very positive market sentiment, they do serve a purpose in a well-diversified portfolio where an investor is looking to help limit potential downside risk."
"For those investors seeking an investment opportunity which allows the fund manager true flexibility in his investment decisions and with the ability to short a company where concerns arise over valuations and business risks, then this fund may well be suitable."
The fund has made 23.86 per cent over the past three years, with an annualised volatility of just 6.28 per cent. It is available with a minimum initial investment of £1,000 and has a TER of 1.8 per cent.
Schroder Small Cap Discovery
The Schroder Small Cap Discovery fund was only launched in March 2012. It focuses on smaller sized companies from the Asian region and selected emerging markets.
Matthew Dobbs, who also runs the Schroder Asian Alpha Plus and Asia Pacific funds, is the manager.
Parsons said: "Unlike many other smaller cap style investment mandates, this fund is managed on a fairly concentrated basis with the total number of holdings currently being around 78."
"Whilst there are a number of country-specific smaller company funds available, investors need to be aware that such investments naturally increase their overall portfolio volatility and exposure to issues such as currency fluctuation and specific geographical concentration."
"However, for those feeling slightly more adventurous, it can often lead to directly holding a fund specifically targeting the small to mid cap arena."
Investors can gain access with an initial investment of £1,000, and the TER on the fund is 1.75 per cent.