Know your zebras from your donkeys: four ‘thoroughbred’ funds

A zoo in Cairo, Egypt, has been accused of painting a donkey with black and white stripes to pass it off as a zebra. Whether or not it really was just, well, a funny looking zebra, as the zoo owner claimed, it’s another reminder not to take everything at face value. And this is especially true when it comes to investments.

We’ve all heard about those investment scams that promise untold returns with no risk but end up trotting off into the sunset with your hard-earned cash. These donkeys are nothing but a, er, pain in ass!

Anyone investing in equity or bond funds should first do their research, expect to put their money away for a period of years, not months, and understand the risks involved. And, while past performance should be not be used as a guide to future returns, here we’ll highlight some of the ‘thoroughbred’ investors that have delivered over the long term.

No wolves in sheep’s clothing, here are four Elite Rated funds, across the investment world, that do exactly what they promise, each with managers who have been in charge for over a decade and have long-term track records to prove their worth.

Investec UK Special Situations: 5 year return = 28.93%*, 10 year return = 153.60%**

Okay, so Investec is well-known for using zebras in its branding, but the reason we are highlighting this fund is because of the way manager Alastair Mundy sticks to his guns.

Alastair has a well-earned reputation as one of the most disciplined and successful
contrarian investors in the UK. While he can’t promise to always outperform, this fund is a great choice for those looking to access less popular parts of the domestic market, which may well end up as tomorrow’s winners.

Rathbone Global Opportunities: 5 year return = 113.26%*, 10 year return = 246.07%**

Another fund boasting a manager who’s been at its helm for most of his career, the
investment philosophy is clear – identify global themes and invest in them early. We see James Thomson as a manager with a refreshingly honest approach, who sticks to his core strengths as a high-conviction contrarian manager who will invest in between 40 to 60 stocks at any one time.

Lazard Emerging Markets: 5 year return = 35.22%*, 10 year return = 89.44%**

Anyone investing in emerging markets must bear in mind the volatility that comes with, potentially, higher returns. That is why it is vital to choose a fund manager with knowledge and experience across Asia and beyond, and James Donald and his team have that in spades. With a huge analyst team at work, the approach is value investing, looking for global brands of the future.

Fidelity Strategic Bond: 5 year return = 17.90%*, 10 year return = 87.51%**

Investing across the fixed income universe requires somebody with vast knowledge of the different types of bonds on offer, and with a great understanding of the inner workings of the global economy. Ian Spreadbury, Claudio Ferrarese and Tim Foster have proven talent in these fields. They have consistently delivered investors regular income, low volatility and diversified performance, which means it this fund sits well alongside equity funds.

*Source: FE Analytics, total returns in sterling, 6 August 2013 to 6 August 2018
**Source: FE Analytics, total returns in sterling, 6 August 2008 to 6 August 2018