Invested in UK Shares

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 May 1999 (with the figure for April 1997 and April 1998 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.

Ethical unit trusts

UK Equity Growth & Income Trusts which invest at least 80% in UK shares with an income yield of between 80% and 110% of the yield of the FT-SE All Share Index and which aim to produce a combination of bothincome and growth. Sector average standard deviation: 1999: 3.7. 1998: 2.8. 1997: 3.1. For a list and past performance click here.

UK Equity Growth Trusts which invest at least 80% of their assets in UK shares. Their main aim is capital growth. Sector average standard deviation: 1999: 3.9. 1998: 2.8. 1997: 3.2. For a list and past performance click here.

UK Equity Income Trusts which invest at least 80% in UK shares. Their income yield aims to be over 110% of the yield of the FT-SE All Share Index. Sector average standard deviation: 1999: 3.5. 1998: 2.6. 1997: 3.0. For a list and past performance click here.

UK Equity & Bond Income Trusts where at least 80% is invested in UK shares, UK government stocks and other UK fixed interest stocks but less than 80% is invested in either shares or fixed interest. Also aims for a yield of 120% or over of FT-SE All Share Index. Sector average standard deviation: 2.2 (2.5). For a list and past performance click here.

UK Equity & Bond Same as Equity & Bond Income except aims for a yield of less than 120% of FT-SE All Share Index. Sector average standard deviation: 1999: 2.6. 1998: 2.4. 1997: 2.6. For a list and past performance click here.

UK Smaller Companies Trusts which invest at least 80% of their assets in UK equities which form part of the Hoare Govett UK Smaller Companies Extended Index. This index includes 10% of the smallest companies by market capital-isation in the main UK stockmarket plus all £ sterling denominated companies on the USM. Sector average standard deviation: 1999: 4.6. 1998: 2.9. 1997: 3.2.. For a list and past performance click here.

Property Trusts which invest at least 80% in propert real estate or property shares (usually in the UK) but some investments may be abroad. Sector average standard deviation: 1999: 1.8. 1998: 1.7. For a list and past performance click here.

Investment Trust Units Invest direct. See Investment Trust Shares. Sector average standard deviation: 1999: 4.2. 1998: 2.8. 1997: 3.1.

Fund of Funds Trusts which invest in other unit trusts. Sector average standard deviation: 1999: 3.4. 1998: 3.2. 1997: 2.6. Watch out for double charging.

Managed Funds This sector may included fund of funds .Half must be in £ sterling assets, at least 35% in UK shares, at least 10% in non-UK shares, and of the balance at least 10% should be held in UK gilts or stock or cash or property real estate. 1999: 3.4.

Index Bear FundsFor pessimists only, trust which go up when the stockmarket goes down. So if you think shares are going to crash, make money by investing in Govett MIS Bear Funds. Such funds invest in futures and options instead of shares to do this. Index Bear Sector average standard deviation: 1999: 4.1. 1998: 3.6. 1997: 4.1. For a list and past performance index bear funds.

Other types of Unit Trusts
Investment Trusts
Offshore Funds
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Last updated 17 May 1999