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M&G Optimal Income
M&G is perhaps the biggest name in the UK fixed income space and this is its flagship offering. This 'go-anywhere' fund has a flexible mandate, which enables the manager to shift the interest rate exposure and to invest across the credit spectrum. The fund can, and often does, invest in equities and also derivatives.
Our opinion
Few fixed interest managers can demonstrate that they can add value through interest rate exposure management, asset allocation and stock selection. Richard Woolnough is one of those few. An important caveat is the size of the M&G Optimal Income fund and therefore its potential for liquidity concerns, but M&G is acutely aware of this and are closely managing the situation.
Company description
Founded in 1919, M&G Investments employs more than 1,500 people worldwide. The company, owned by Prudential plc, which is listed on the London Stock Exchange, focuses primarily on fixed interest and equities, but also invests in multi-asset and real estate. Its fund managers have an average tenure of 11 years, although many have been with the company for more than 20 years. Managers are given freedom to implement their own style on funds.
Fund manager
Richard Woolnough joined M&G in January 2004 and is also manager of Elite Rated M&G Corporate Bond and M&G Strategic Corporate Bond funds as well as the M&G Optimal Income fund. Richard began his career at Lloyds Merchant Bank in 1985. In 1995, he became a fund manager at Old Mutual. Richard graduated from the London School of Economics with a BSc in Economics.
With this flexible bond fund, I can invest across all of the fixed interest asset classes, allowing me to express my views on the direction of interest rates and the relative attractiveness of government and corporate bonds without constraints.
Richard WoolnoughFund manager
Investment process
Richard forms a macroeconomic overview of the fund, based on his assessment of the likely direction of growth, inflation and interest rates within different economies. These views, along with bond-specific factors, inform his opinion regarding where the relative value lies among the various fixed interest asset classes. When investing in a particular company, Richard examines its capital structure to choose the bond that best suits his requirements. At times, a company's equity can appear cheap compared with its debt. Under those circumstances, Richard may buy the equity for the fund.
Risk
As the fund can invest in equities, it will be more risky than many of its peers. However, managing risk is integral to the investment approach and the fund is subject to investment guidelines and limits. A separate risk team provides ongoing analysis to assess the fund's behaviour in various market scenarios.
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