Bond sales return to 2009 peak - IMA

Bonds funds continued to dominate new inflows in August and helped boost retail sales for the month to a record high, according to the IMA.

Net retail sales of bond funds reached £1.2bn, which is the highest level since May 2009 and the first time the £1bn barrier has been broken since last year. Equities were the second highest selling asset class at £479m, below the monthly average of £596m for the past 12 months. Despite fears a bond bubble may be developing, the asset class also accounted for three of the top five selling sectors in August. The £ Corporate Bond sector was the best selling IMA sector, with net retail sales of £573m while Global Bonds and £ Strategic Bond were third and fourth respectively. Other ...