Fad or fancy?

The downturn caused investors to move away from relative returns and resulted in a wave of new funds. Despite once being considered a flight of fancy absolute returns have proved they are here to stay

The media and investor interest in absolute return funds has been verging on excessive for 2009 and despite this, many commentators are sitting on the yuletide log, unprepared to tie their colours to these funds as the way ahead. There are of course many protagonists but these usually come in the shape of those, more often than not, who think they know better. Whatever one’s personal views, the fact some of the best brains in the industry are launching absolute return funds to comply within the Ucits regulations, gives some credence to the fact these products are sensible investments and ar...