2016 has not been a profitable year so far for investors. Equities, bonds and commodities have all slumped together since the start of the year. But how large is the damage? And which funds have felt the brunt of the bear?
It is not surprising to see oil and mining stocks are the biggest losers of 2016 so far. Many commodities lost up to half their value last year, and it has continued into 2016. Therefore open and close-end funds that have direct exposure to the mining stocks are also greatly affected. Stocks across the banking sector have also struggled in the past fortnight – and those funds which hold large positions in the financials sector have been hit.
Miners are Having Difficult Time
For investors looking to take the leap into miners right now, it does seem like uncertain times – although there is some argument that now is the opportunity for long-term investor to get in at a low price.
BlackRock World Mining Trust (BRWM) has been one of the biggest fund losers year to date, down 6%. This is because the fund has direct exposure to mining stocks within FTSE 100 that have been volatile in the past fortnight. The investment trust has 9% of its portfolio in Glencore (GLEN), which as lost 13% year to date. It also has 13% of its portfolio in BHP Billiton (BLT), which has lost 14% year to date. And it has 12% in Rio Tinto (RIO), which has lost 13% year to date. The fund carries significant risks, as its portfolio has high exposure to movement in metal and gold prices. Although the sector has been unstable in recent years, the management team at the trust is highly experienced and investors have been well compensated over the long term, so Morningstar analyst Fatima Khizou remains a positive view to the fund, rating it Silver. The yield of the fund is at 13%.
Major oil companies like Royal Dutch Shell (RDSB) have not been saved from the market selloff. Shell has lost 10% from year to date, which has led to a drop of 5% in Merchants Trust (MRCH) value, a fund that has 7% of its portfolio in the company.
Bank Stocks Fall in New Year Sell Off
Financial stocks continue to be hammered in 2016; and it was asset management share prices that experienced the biggest losses within the banking sector.
Stockbroker Hargreaves Lansdown (HL.) has lost 14% year to date, which is second only to mining stocks as the biggest FTSE 100 losers. Finsbury Growth & Income (FGT) has the most exposure to the stock, having 8% its portfolio in Hargreaves. The fund also has 6% in Schroders (SDR), the asset management stocks that have fallen 13% from year to date. As a result, Finsbury Growth & Income fund has fallen 5% year to date. Despite recent losses, it is Rated Gold by Morningstar analysts who say that the fund manager’s process was thorough and well-proven over a number of market cycles, which resulted in a concentrate portfolio of companies.
Jupiter UK Growth Fund is also at risk if bank stocks continue to slide. The fund has 7% of its portfolio in Barclays (BARC), which has lost 10% year to date. The fund also has 7% in Lloyds Banking Group (LLOY), which lost 9% of its value year to date. The fund has lost 2% since the start of the year.
Morningstar analyst Daniel Vaughan said that Jupiter UK Growth was suitable as a core holding for investors seeking exposures to UK equities. The fund has been downgraded from Silver to Bronze by Morningstar analysts due to the recent change of fund manager. Although Vaughan has high regard for the fund manager’s stock-picking ability, at present there is no analytical support or backup on the fund. Therefore Vaughan is treading cautiously with the fund under the manager’s sole management and with fewer dedicated resources than previously.
Insurance Fail to Insure Against Losses
Insurance stocks have crumbled as well. The Old Mutual UK Equity Income Fund has 4% of its portfolio in Direct Line Insurance Group (DLG), and this Bronze Rated fund has lost 3% year to date. Direct Line has fallen 10% from year to date. SVM UK Opportunities, having 6% of its portfolio in the Prudential (PRU), has lost 5% year to date. Prudential shares have lost 10% of value year to date.
Drop in Pharmaceutical Giant Share Price
BlackRock UK Equity has lost 4% year to date, thanks to 6% of its portfolio in Shire (SHP), a specialty biopharmaceutical company, which is down 12% year to date. The fund is Rated Bronze by Morningstar analysts. BlackRock’s three year track record and its stock selection are a little disappointing, according to Morningstar analyst Daniel Vaughan. The management of the lead fund manager Nick Little has been alright but not outstanding, according to Vaughan.
