Focus on Funds Magazine: Passionate about active investment management

No Trivial Pursuit

Welcome to the first edition of Focus on Funds, a publication dedicated to active investment management – unit trusts, OEICs and investment trusts.

Trackers and ETFs enjoyed conspicuous success in the longest bull market in history, and investors benefitted from the relatively low fees charged by passives; despite market uncertainty, today the FTSE nudged above 7200 and the MSCI All Country World Index is up some 250% since the financial crisis.

However, investors appear skeptical about the market’s upward momentum; there is a ‘wall of worry’  associated with a maturing cycle when there is still potential upside to be had in stocks, but cracks in underlying fundamentals combine with rising volatility

With the prospect of market instability, even greater socioeconomic and geopolitical uncertainty and fears of a ‘correction’, Focus on Funds showcases funds run by investment professionals actively seeking out opportunities and aiming to reward the faith that investors place in them.

A sea change since RDR has seen the cost of active management fall and fund managers engage directly with their retail customers; in Focus on Funds they share their thoughts, experiences and strategies and deliver calming reassurance that your money is in expert hands.

In this issue we learn how RM Funds is using alternatives in uncertain times and Merian tells us we may be missing out without gold and silver in our portfolio; Polar Capital looks at transformation in healthcare and Invesco explains the benefit of a multi-asset strategy for income and capital growth.

Ediston makes the case for investing in property via REITS and Aberdeen Standard Investments showcases the Murray Income Trust which has grown its payout to shareholders for 45 years in a row.

Alex Crooke of Janus Henderson Investors explains that The Bankers Investment Trust is banking on diversification and Charlie Awdry, of its China Opportunities Fund reports on the country’s culture, company dynamics and consumer trends; tame DIY investor Humbug explains how he uses charts to actively trade funds.

To help you select a mutual fund that meets your investing goal and risk appetite, Selftrade has partnered with independent experts Square Mile Research; see the Mutual Funds Select List.

Throughout the issue you will see featured funds with details of how you can invest in them in your Selftrade account should you wish to; for example if you wish to invest in the Merian Gold and Silver Fund, you can access your account and find the fund by using the following links:

To buy this fund click below to login to your Selftrade account and select

Merian Gold & Silver Fund R GBP Acc – IE00BYVJRH94

To get you started, here’s an introduction to multi-asset funds from Selftrade

We hope that you find Focus on Funds engaging and useful in helping you make informed investment decisions; we would welcome your feedback at ask@diyinvestor.net

Focus on Funds Magazine Issue 1

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• Alternatives in uncertain times
• How to select a fund
• The case for gold and silver
• Big changes in healthcare
• Multi asset for income
• Investing in REITS
• Prize UK dividends
• Multi asset selection
• How to select a fund
• Banking on diversification
• Guide to fund pricing
• How to read a KIID
• Mutual funds 101
• How to read a factsheet
• Notes from the road
• Trading funds with charts