Invesco Merges Funds as Small-Cap Manager Departs
Invesco Perpetual announced this week that, subject to FSA and shareholder approval, it plans to merge the Invesco Perpetual UK Smaller Companies Growth Fund into the OBSR AA Rated Invesco Perpetual UK Smaller Companies Equity Fund in March 2011. The newly merged Invesco Perpetual UK Smaller Companies Equity Fund will be jointly managed by Richard Smith and Jonathan Brown. Following the merger, the OBSR rating for the UK Smaller Companies Equity Fund remains unchanged as Mr Smith will continue to manage the fund, as he has done since June 2002. Andrew Crossley, manager of the UK Smaller Companies Growth fund, will leave the firm.
Chris White will Take Over Premier Income Funds from Bill Mott
Chris White will shortly assume management of the Premier Income, Alpha Income and Monthly Income funds. Premier acquired the funds from Aberdeen in 2009 and initially appointed Bill Mott at PSigma to manage the funds. However Premier has elected to bring management of the funds back in house. White joined the group earlier this year from Threadneedle. Morningstar does not rate any of the funds concerned.
Guy de Blonay to Run Jupiter Financial Opportunities Fund
Jupiter announced this week that Phillip Gibbs would relinquish lead management of the Jupiter Financial Opportunities fund to Guy de Blonay at the beginning of 2011. Gibbs will continue to have an influence as deputy on the fund. OBSR, a Morningstar company, recently downgraded the fund to a AA Rating. The fund previously held a AAA Rating, which was a reflection of our conviction in Philip Gibbs’ ability to generate attractive long-term returns through his individual management style. It was our assessment that co-manager Guy de Blonay has increasing influence on the product and while we have a high opinion of his portfolio management skills, we believe that an AA Rating is at this stage a more appropriate reflection of our comfort in the long-term risk-reward profile that we expect him to deliver.
L&G Launches Emerging Markets Index Fund
L&G Investments has launched an emerging markets index fund. The fund will be based on the FTSE All-World Emerging Index. L&G claims the launch is in response to the small number of index trackers available to UK investors. The launch should provide additional price competition in the emerging markets fund space. Interestingly though, emerging markets is an area where a number of active managers have added considerable value over the long run. As these markets develop though, index strategies may become more popular with investors.