Schroder UK Alpha Income Fund research update
Kate Marshall | Thu 27 November 2014
The links in this article will take you to Hargreaves Lansdown’s main website for more information. Please be aware that if you wish to join any of the benefits in your company Plan you must return to this website to apply.
The performance of different stocks or sectors can vary depending at which point we are in the business cycle. It is this philosophy on which Matt Hudson, manager of the Schroder UK Alpha Income Fund, bases his investment approach.
The portfolio is skewed depending on whether we are in the recovery, expansion, slowdown or recession stage of the cycle. In Matt Hudson's view, markets are currently experiencing a mid-cycle rotation. Although he believes we have not quite reached an 'end of cycle' event, he feels the UK economy is in the later stages of expansion.
Matt Hudson has tilted the portfolio away from some of the more economically-sensitive, earlier-cycle businesses. He has recently sold positions in companies such as Daily Mail & General Trust, Debenhams and International Consolidated Airlines.
Exposure to the industrials sector has also been reduced, particularly companies with exposure to emerging markets. As the rate of industrialisation in China has slowed, Matt Hudson feels reduced demand for the products of these firms means they no longer receive the benefit of pricing power. Holdings in Morgan Advanced Materials and Premier Farnell have been reduced.
Proceeds have been invested into areas Matt Hudson expects to benefit during the later stages of the cycle, such as the financials sector including companies such as ICAP and Man Group. Exposure to some larger companies with more defensive characteristics has also been increased - new holdings include Imperial Tobacco and GlaxoSmithKline.
The manager will also look beyond traditional, larger dividend-paying companies in order to take advantage of opportunities across the UK market. This means he will also invest in medium-sized companies, which feature in the FTSE 250 index. According to Matt Hudson, the FTSE 250 remains a good hunting ground for companies offering dividend growth. However, given the strength of this area of the market in recent years, yields are generally less attractive than they once were.
On the other hand, the FTSE 100 features an array of larger companies offering high yields, but lower levels of dividend growth. Overall, the manager balances the fund between larger and higher risk medium-sized companies with the aim of maintaining an attractive, and growing, dividend. Presently, the fund yields 4.1% (variable and not guaranteed).
Our view on this fund
Matt Hudson has managed this fund since its launch in May 2005 over which time the fund has delivered 123.0% compared with 86.8% and 97.7%* for the sector average and the benchmark, respectively. The fund performed particularly well between 2010 and 2013, though returns were more modest prior to this, as well as over the course of this year so far. Please remember past performance is not a guide to future returns.
| Annual percentage growth | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 09 -
Nov 10 |
Nov 10 -
Nov 11 |
Nov 11 -
Nov 12 |
Nov 12 -
Nov 13 |
Nov 13 -
Nov 14 | |
| Schroder UK Alpha Income | 16.0% | 2.7% | 19.9% | 32.4% | -1.3% |
| IMA UK Equity Income | 15.2% | -1.3% | 13.0% | 25.2% | 1.8% |
| FTSE All Share | 16.6% | -2.0% | 13.9% | 21.2% | 0.2% |
Past performance is not a guide to future returns. Source: Lipper IM* to 03/11/2014
In our view, Matt Hudson is a sensible fund manager who has built a respectable track record. However, he is competing against a number of other highly successful and established managers in the UK equity income sector. Furthermore, he recently took over management of the Schroder UK Opportunities Fund, a growth-orientated fund, meaning his responsibilities have increased. We would, therefore, like to see how he adapts to his new responsibilities and demands on his time. For these reasons, we will not currently be considering the fund for inclusion on the Wealth 150 list of favourite funds across the major sectors.
Please note the fund's charges can be taken from capital, which can increase the yield but reduce the potential for capital growth.
Find out more about this fund including how to invest
Please read the key features/key investor information document in addition to the information above.