Invested in Overseas Shares

(Also called International Unit Trust, Worldwide Unit Trust)

The best performing trusts change frequently. Most monthly financial magazines publish performance for all trusts each month.

Some also publish lists of the standard deviation of each trust's performance. This is a guide to a trust's volatility - a trust with a high volatility goes up by more than other trusts when it rises, but also falls by a greater amount when it falls. A volatile trust is a riskier form of investment. The average standard deviation for each sector published below are from Money Management April 1998 (with the figure for April 1998 and April 1997 following).

Money Management also publishes a figure for each individual trust each month which it calls volatility. The higher the figure the greater gain (and loss) you can expect from investing in sector or trust.

If you buy direct, try and negotiate a reduced intial charge as the managers are not paying commission. Or buy through an accountant, solicitor who will give you credit for the commission against their fees.

International Equity Growth Trusts which Invest at least 80% of their assets in shares (but less than 80% in the UK) and whose main aim is capital growth. Sector average standard deviation: 1999: 4.7. 1998: 3.6. 1997: 3.2. For a list and past performance click here.

International Equity Income At least 80% in shares (but less than 80% in the UK) whose income yield is more than 110% of the FT Actuaries Worldwide Index. Sector average standard deviation: 1999: 3.4. 1998: 2.8. 1997: 2.6. For a list and past performance click here.

International Fixed Interest See Unit Trust Stock & Bond Fund. Sector average standard deviation: 1999: 1.66. 1998: 1.8. 1997: 1.8. For a list and past performance click here.

International Equity & Bond At least 80% in either shares or fixed interest stocks (but less than 80% in the UK). Sector average standard deviation: 1999: 3.3. 1998: 2.4. 1997: 2.5. For a list and past performance click here.

North America At least 80% in North American stocks and shares. Sector average standard deviation: 1999: 5.2. 1998: 4.4. 1997: 4.0. For a list and past performance click here. An ethical trust is North American Stewardship

Europe At least 80% in European stocks and shares (including the UK) and 20% to 100% in European shares (excluding the UK). Sector average standard deviation: 1999: 5.6. 1998: 3.8. 1997: 3.0. For a list and past performance click here.

Japan At least 80% in Japanese stocks and shares. Sector average standard deviation: 1999: 7.0. 1998: 5.9. 1997: 4.9. For a list and past performance click here.

Far East including Japan At least 80% in the Far East including Japan and Australia (but less than 80% in Japan). Sector average standard deviation: 1999: 6.8. 1998: 5.6. 1997: 4.4. For a list and past performance click here.

Far East excluding Japan At least 80% in the Far East excluding Japan. Sector average standard deviation: 1999: 8.5. 1998: 7.5. 1997: 5.7. For a list and past performance click here.

Australasia See Far East excluding Japan above.

Emerging Markets This sector is very volatile and investment in this type of unit trust is very risky. Sector average standard deviation: 1999: 10.1. 1998: 7.1. For a list and past performance click here. At least 80% of the portfolio must be in such markets.

Commodity and Energy Trusts At least 80% in commodity or energy securities (including gold mining company shares) abroad and in the UK. Sector average standard deviation: 1999: 8.1. 1998: 6.7. 1997: 6.0. For a list and past performance click here.

Ethical unit trusts

Other types of Unit Trusts
Investment Trusts
Offshore Funds
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Last updated and checked 9 April 1998