This article is part of Morningstar’s Guide to Income Investing. Whether you are looking grow your pension pot, or invest for retirement income, this week we have all the news, information and education you need.
Invesco Perpetual Corporate Bond
Bolstered by an exceptionally stable manager duo, this fund continues to thrive, says Morningstar fund analyst Mara Dobrescu.
The fund has been run by Paul Read and Paul Causer, co-heads of Invesco Perpetual's fixed-income team, since its launch in 2006. Analysts have a high regard for the two veterans, who have been working together at Invesco for almost two decades.
Michael Matthews, named co-manager in 2013, has also been part of the team since its start in 1995. They can rely on a compact but experienced team of eight portfolio managers and analysts. The managers' significant personal investments in the funds they run also align their interests with those of investors.
Fidelity Moneybuilder Income
Fidelity MoneyBuilder Income is one of the very best sterling corporate bond funds for diversified and core exposure to this asset class, says fund analyst Michael Eyre.
Since inception in 1995 to the end of 2014 the fund outperformed the Morningstar GBP Corporate Bond Category and has done so consistently. This excellent track record is testament to the strong setup here, notably the team and fund manager. In August 2013, the mandate was altered to allow Ian Spreadbury to hold a greater proportion in non-sterling-denominated bonds that will remain predominately hedged back to sterling.
M&G Strategic Corporate Bond
M&G Strategic Corporate Bond still holds long-term appeal despite underperforming in recent years, says Morningstar fund analyst Ashis Dash.
Analysts’ conviction in this strategy stems largely from their confidence in manager Richard Woolnough. Having begun his career in 1985, he is one of the more experienced fixed-income managers in the industry. He joined M&G in January 2004 and has managed the fund since launch in February 2004. He is backed by deputy manager Ben Lord, M&G's retail fixed-income team of 10 fund managers, and a further 10 investment professionals, headed by Jim Leaviss.
This modestly aggressive investment-grade corporate bond fund has the flexibility to invest up to 20% in high-yield and government bonds. Woolnough’s expertise in macroeconomic analysis and fixed-income investment underpin the investment process. It combines his macroeconomic views with bottom-up recommendations from M&G's 30-plus credit analysts, but he retains ultimate discretion. Credit risk and duration, typically between 3.5 and 9.5 years, are actively managed.