What funds are you in, and why?

Blah99

Just interested, as I have a new chunk of cash to invest. Looking around to see if anyone has spotted some good opportunities outside of the most common funds (Invesco etc etc)...

bendix

It's a non-question. Good opportunities for what? Capital Growth, income, capital preservation?

And for how long, and what purpose?

Linton

Blah99 wrote: »

Just interested, as I have a new chunk of cash to invest. Looking around to see if anyone has spotted some good opportunities outside of the most common funds (Invesco etc etc)...

To expand on Bendix's reply....

You need to decide a number of things before deciding which fund to invest in....

1) Why are you saving?

Long term ( say 10-20 years) capital growth? Immediate income?? The longer the term over which you wish to invest the more likely it is that riskier investments possibly providing very high returns become advantageous.

2) Attitude to risk

Will you have sleepless nights if the price drops by 30%? Or do you understand and accept that long term growth may well involve periods of very poor performance.

3) What type of investment do you need?

You need to ensure that your investments are diversified in geography, sector, and asset class (equity, bonds, gilts, rare wine etc etc). So considering your current investments you should be able to identify gaps.

Once you have considered these matters you should have a much clearer idea of the type of investment you should be looking at. This is the point when you should investigate specific funds - there is a vast choice, see https://www.trustnet.com.

bendix

I'm currently in around 20-22 different funds, but that is only what I call my investable money and that only accounts for around 25% of my assets. The rest is in cash earning a very good rate overseas or property.

Of that 20-22 funds, there is a very wide variety with the vast majority of them being share-based. In terms of key markets, around 30% is UK oriented, followed by Australia / NZ, emerging markets, developing asia, Europe and the US. I have a small holding in Japan which is turning into a dog.

I also have some exposure to corporate bonds, but I've recently taken some profits off the table and am looking for a home that those profits - having said that, I am continuing allocating a proportion of my monthly investment into corporate bond funds for the time being.

In terms of more specialist funds, I have held Blackrocks Gold and General for the last six months. It's been a roller coaster ride. The first few months it fell close to 20%. Today it's up around 16% and I'm glad I resisted the urge to cash in when it got back to parity. I also like the look of property funds at the moment and have recently bought into a global REITs fund.

My favourite at the moment is Artemis Strategic Assets.

Blah99

*chuckle*

Linton, thanks, but I kinda know how it works

My question was "What funds are you in, and why". I'm interested what people are currently choosing and their reasoning behind it.

Sure, I can tell you exactly what I'm looking for (short term 1 - 5 years, UK small cap and emerging markets), but that wasn't the question

Linton

Blah99 wrote: »

*chuckle*

Linton, thanks, but I kinda know how it works

My question was "What funds are you in, and why". I'm interested what people are currently choosing and their reasoning behind it.

Sure, I can tell you exactly what I'm looking for (short term 1 - 5 years, UK small cap and emerging markets), but that wasn't the question

Sorry - I took your posting to be from a newbie asking for "tips".

I would be concerned at a 1-5 year time frame - all of my funds needed to live on for the next 3 years are in a ladder of 3 year fixed rate cash accounts. If you are investing in more exciting things you want to sell when the price is high, not when you need the money.

My long term (say 10 years) ISA funds are:

19% Emerging - Aberdeen Emerging,Jupiter emerging europe, Fidelity Emerging
13% SE Asia - Fidelity SE Asia, First State Asia Pac
23% Special Situations - M&G Recovery, Fidelity SS, Fidelity Global SS
8% Specialist - Henderson Tech, Jupiter Finance
11% Natural Resources - JPMF Natural Resources
16% Bonds - F&C Strategic, Invesco Corporate
8% Small Companies - Old Mutual, Invesco European
and some other historical bits and pieces that need to be tidied up.

The overall intention is to hold a broad range of higher risk funds with an annual rebalance, over time increasing the bond % and transferring into fixed rate cash.

I also hold a significant number of high dividend, high cap UK shares as a separate portfolio that provide income and can also be balanced against the funds.

Over the past 5 years the fund portfolio has provided an annual 10% return.

HTH

rictus123

bendix iv seen you around, sorry but how can you not be smug with life? Alot of us can only dream of your money riches.

sabretoothtigger

This is a bit vague so I guess I would mention water and infrastructure. You cant have a developing or emerging economy without water people can live off.

cloud_dog

Blah99 wrote: »

I'm interested what people are currently choosing and their reasoning behind it.

That ones easy and difficult to answer, below is a list of my fund holdings..........

Aberdeen Property
Allianz RCM BRIC Stars
BlackRock Gold & General
CF Eclectica Agriculture
CF Junior Oils Trust
First State Asia Pac Leaders
Investec Global Energy
JPMF Natural Resources
Jupiter Financial Opportunities Inc
Marlborough ETF Comm
Melchior Asian Opportunities
MFM Junior Mining
Neptune Latin America
Neptune Russia & Gtr Rus
New Star Gbl Financials
Sarasin AgriSar
Threadneedle Latin American

Invesco Perp Corporate Bond Acc
Jupiter Corporate Bond Inc
M&G Optimal Income A Acc
Royal London Sterling Extra Yield

As to the reasons for these investments, well........... I know this may sound silly but I'm looking for growth and I think these are the areas where it will primarilly happen. The agriculture ones are there as a long term thing.

As I mentioed on another thread my fund invesmtnets are up for re-assigning / distribution and the bond funds are being re-considered.

Yes, I know its a very risky set of holdings :eek: But hey, you takes your money, you makes your choice.

Eidt: I have to say I am probably a little bit cheeting as I have taken a lot of money off the table recently after some very good performances

Jonbvn

rictus123 wrote: »

bendix iv seen you around, sorry but how can you not be smug with life? Alot of us can only dream of your money riches.

What other posters may or may not have is irrelevant on an anonymous forum.:rolleyes:

bendix

rictus123 wrote: »

bendix iv seen you around, sorry but how can you not be smug with life? Alot of us can only dream of your money riches.

Huh?

What are you talking about?

This is an anonymous forum. It is about money saving and wealth creation.

If we're not here to talk about money, what the hell are we supposed to be talking about?