It’s plain to see that UK investors are still firmly fixated on emerging market opportunities, according to the latest data on most-searched-for funds on Morningstar.co.uk in the first quarter of 2013. Of the top ten funds that our users have sought out in the first three months of the year, five are emerging market equity offerings including a China growth fund and another focused on Asian income, as well as funds that invest across the emerging markets.
Among other popular funds in Q1 are several of the industry’s biggest fund names, such as Templeton Global Total Return and Invesco Perpetual High Income.
Notable by their absence are any funds providing exposure to developed markets, which implies that investors continue to look seek greater returns in greater risk areas. UK, US and European equities have all enjoyed a strong start to 2013, however, while many emerging markets have struggled year-to-date, thus highlighting the drawback of chasing ‘hot’ topics.
Just two bond funds appeared on the top ten list, supporting recent data showing a switch into equities and away from fixed income.
Despite appetite for riskier areas such as emerging markets and natural resources, our investors are in good company as all ten of the most popular funds on Morningstar.co.uk have been awarded high ratings by our analysts. Seven of the ten are rated Gold, one Silver and two Bronze, implying our fund analysts believe all these offerings should outperform their category peers.
10 Most Searched for Funds in Q1
Aberdeen Emerging Markets A Acc
Rated Gold by Morningstar OBSR analysts
First State Global Emerging Markets Leaders A (Acc) GBP
Rated Gold by Morningstar OBSR analysts
Templeton Global Total Return A Acc $
Rated Bronze by Morningstar OBSR analysts
Invesco Perpetual High Income Acc
Rated Gold by Morningstar OBSR analysts
BlackRock Global Funds - World Mining A2
Rated Gold by Morningstar OBSR analysts
M&G Strategic Corporate Bond A Acc
Rated Gold by Morningstar OBSR analysts
Aberdeen Asia Pacific Fund A Acc
Rated Gold by Morningstar OBSR analysts
Newton Asian Income Inc
Rated Silver by Morningstar OBSR analysts
JP Morgan Natural Resources A - Net Acc
Rated Bronze by Morningstar OBSR analysts
First State China Growth I (Acc) USD
Rated Gold by Morningstar OBSR analysts
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