Diverse range of strategies outperform in AR peer group

Offerings from BlackRock, Schroders, Henderson and Newton top disparate peer group

Absolute return funds have little in common beyond a basic positive performance target, making any comparisons across the sector redundant. Among 51 funds in the IMA’s sector, there are equity, bond, currency and multi-asset portfolios, with this spread indicated by returns over 12 months to 22 November from 29.6% to a 13.2% loss. Bond products are in the ascendancy over the last three years and Schroders ISF Emerging Markets Debt Absolute Return heads the disparate peer group with a return of  50.8%. Schroders product manager Christopher Wyke said the massive $9bn (£5.8bn) fund is...