Top 5 Strategic Bond Funds

Bond investing in times of falling prices requires a diversified portfolio. These five strategic bond funds are highly rated by analysts and make the most of the market

Emma Wall 24 July, 2014 | 12:03AM
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This article is part of Morningstar's Guide to Investing for Income

After a decade long rally, the bond game is over. Investors now face the challenge of finding opportunities in a market where bond prices are falling. The good news is that yields are rising – so with a bit of skill those looking for income or total return can navigate the run down.

Strategic bond funds have a wide remit. Fund managers are free to invest across the sectors, mixing duration, yield – and risk. This blended approach is the most nimble and when executed correctly can be the most effective in the current climate. We used Morningstar Direct to screen the highest yielding strategic bond funds which were also highly rated by Morningstar analysts, the top five are listed below. Three of the funds are managed by Henderson, who has a particularly strong team in this space following acquisitions of two smaller fund managers.

Henderson Fixed Interest Monthly Income

Yield: 6.3%

This fund is an attractive choice for UK investors seeking fixed-income exposure paying distributions monthly, with the flexibility to invest across the bond spectrum, says Morningstar analyst Phil Roantree. This is a diversified fixed income portfolio, managed with income generation in mind, in line with the managers’ other bond funds this fund is rated Silver.

Henderson Preference and Bond

Yield: 6.1%

Henderson Preference and Bond is a sound choice for investors seeking a flexible, actively managed strategic bond fund that also provides a reasonable income, says Roantree. As a mature fund, launched in 1978, income payments have been a significant part of the fund's overall return, and income remains an important focus of the fund managers as they aim to meet investors' expectations. It is rated Silver.

AXA Framlington Managed Income

Yield: 6%

The fund has a specialist mandate and is appropriate for investors seeking a higher-yielding fund and who are comfortable with an approach that can lead to a higher level of aggregate credit risk, says Morningstar analyst Marianne Weller. 

The fund features a highly experienced manager in George Luckraft, whose career spans over 20 years and encompasses several income-orientated mandates. It is rated Silver.

Henderson Strategic Bond

Yield: 5.9

Henderson Strategic Bond is a sound choice for investors seeking a flexible, actively managed strategic bond fund targeting total return, says Roantree.

This is a flexible, actively managed unconstrained strategic bond fund with the managers allocating strategically across the fixed-income spectrum whilst taking advantage of its UCITS III status to position the fund as they see appropriate through the economic cycle, investing in both traditional fixed-income securities and derivatives. It is rated Silver

Schroder Strategic Credit

Yield: 5.85%

Schroder Strategic Bond is an attractive choice for an adventurous credit investor, says Weller. The investment approach is underpinned by the manager’s belief that significant opportunities are created by investors’ inefficient processing of company information. The fund is rated Bronze.

The information contained within is for educational and informational purposes ONLY. It is not intended nor should it be considered an invitation or inducement to buy or sell a security or securities noted within nor should it be viewed as a communication intended to persuade or incite you to buy or sell security or securities noted within. Any commentary provided is the opinion of the author and should not be considered a personalised recommendation. The information contained within should not be a person's sole basis for making an investment decision. Please contact your financial professional before making an investment decision.

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Securities Mentioned in Article

Security NamePriceChange (%)Morningstar
Rating
Janus Henderson Fxd Intr MthInc Acc30.58 GBP-0.10Rating
Janus Henderson Strategic Bond I Acc338.60 GBP-0.03Rating
Schroder Strategic Credit C Acc  

About Author

Emma Wall  is former Senior International Editor for Morningstar

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