They are anticipating a larger supply of high yield bonds in the market later in the year and would be happy to increase exposure again at that point. In place of those riskier bonds the manager and his team have become slightly more defensive and increased the proportion of AAA-rated bonds to 13% of the fund. They are also favouring financial bonds, such as the Royal Bank of Scotland, and structured bonds (ass
et-backed).
Currency risk for the fund is limited as only 20% of the fund can be invested in non-sterling denominated bonds. Currently, the fund has some exposure to euro-based bonds but they are all hedged back into sterling.
The team relies heavily on each other’s input as well as that of their Credit Matrix tool which they have been developing over the past few years. It links up about ten sources of information including details on the firms’ corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions strategy, data on equity volatility as well as historical company information. The tool has helped them avoid defaults such as Parmalat as well highlighting good ideas hidden within the noise of the market.
Mr Sutherland is the head of credit at Standard Life and works within the firm’s 18-strong fixed income team. He expects to relinquish his role as lead manager of this fund to Alasdair MacLean, who has been working with him on this fund, in about a year’s time. Mr Sutherland will remain involved with the fund, overseeing its progress.