Investec Strategic Bond - Neutral

FUND RESEARCH UPDATE: Fund rating downgraded to Neutral

Ruli Viljoen 30 May, 2014 | 10:34AM
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Following the Morningstar OBSR Analyst Ratings Meeting on 7th May 2014, we have moved the Investec Strategic Bond fund to a Morningstar OBSR Analyst Rating™ of Neutral. The fund previously held a Bronze rating. The fund has been managed by John Stopford since December 2006, with Seamus Vasey joining as co-manager in early 2014. Whilst we understand the specificities of this mandate with its bias to investment grade bonds and its objective to deliver a reasonable core fixed income allocation, we have been disappointed by the team’s limited use of the flexibility awarded to them over the more recent period. This has resulted in disappointing fund performance, particularly during difficult markets in 2011 and 2013, when we would have expected the fund to do better, given its cautious positioning and lower risk mandate. In addition, Mr Stopford is involved in the management of several bond funds and is responsible for the fixed income asset allocation process. As co-head of Multi Asset, he has also taken on more responsibilities within the multi-asset team and is the lead manager on the Diversified Income fund; this raises concerns over his increased workload and continued focus on the fixed income funds.

See the latest Morningstar OBSR fund rating news here.

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About Author

Ruli Viljoen

Ruli Viljoen  is Head of Manager Selection, Morningstar UK

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