Advisers look to global funds in April sales trends

Global Growth enjoyed a popular April as the third highest selling sector, accounting for 7.6 percent of net sales in the April sales trends from Cofunds, the leading independent platform for financial planning.

Cautious Managed remained the highest selling sector, dropping off slightly from its high in Q1 2010 (32.3 percent) to account for 28 percent of net sales in April. Strategic Bonds came in as the second favourite of advisers, taking 13 percent of net sales, up from the 8.3 percent it achieved in Q1.

Absolute Return also had a successful month as fourth highest selling sector (5.9 percent of net sales) with Standard Life Investments (SLI) Global Absolute Return Strategy dominating as the fifth highest selling fund on the platform.

Michelle Woodburn, Manager, Fund Group Relations at Cofunds said: “With both the Global Growth sector and SLI Global Absolute Return Strategy being such popular choices, there has been a clear move towards funds with global exposure.  It appears this shift has come at the expense of the UK All Companies and Europe ex UK sectors, which saw net outflows over the month (0.3 percent and 2.1 percent respectively) as investors became increasingly nervous over the UK election and the ongoing Greek debt crisis.”