Absolute Return revamp could shake up Specialist and Unclassified sectors

A number of fund providers are supporting the split of the Absolute Return sector into sub-categories based on strategy, which could see many vehicles in the Unclassified and Specialist sectors moved into the new groupings.

Last week, fund groups submitted their responses to the IMA’s three proposals to restructure the under-fire sector (see table). The trade body plans to overhaul the classification at the end of the year after a two-year consultation. Investment Week understands many providers are calling on the IMA to split the sector into sub-categories, with funds divided by the strategy used on the portfolio. This will pave the way for a large proportion of funds currently sitting in the IMA Specialist and Unclassified sectors to slot into the sub-categories, with the aim of helping advisers and cl...