insights-media

COUTTS MULTI ASSET FUNDS UK

QUARTERLY FOCUS

Coutts multi-asset funds are a range of UK-biased funds that aim to deliver attractive long-term returns by investing in a broad range of asset classes such as cash, bonds, equities, commodities and property.
 

First Quarter 2019

Fund

PERFORMANCE


All funds rose in the first quarter of the year as markets recovered robustly from December’s declines. As prices fell, it appeared that the sell-off was overdone and valuations became more attractive – leading investors back to the market.

A key factor behind the shift in market mood was the US Federal Reserve adopting a more patient approach to raising interest rates. The central bank has signalled it would ease off its monetary tightening for now – and this more accommodative stance was echoed by many of its peers across the globe. Less pressure on monetary policy is positive for markets as it reduces the cost of borrowing, making it easier for companies to develop and expand, and to service existing debts. Increasingly positive signs that a US-China trade deal could be reached also bolstered markets.

Global economic growth continues to slow, however. Against this backdrop, while remaining cautiously positive, we have tilted our portfolios and funds away from riskier markets and towards more defensive areas. This move, which means we now have a more-or-less neutral position in equities, has benefitted performance.

We are also holding cash to allow us to move quickly when we see investment opportunities in the event of a pull-back after the steep rebound so far this year.

We reduced our exposure to European and Japanese stocks – and now have a cautious view on Europe while being neutral on Japan. Both Europe and Japan are key exporters so their markets have been hit by the trade tensions of previous months and a troubled Chinese economy – both of which dented demand for their goods.

We have increased our investment in US equities instead, which have performed well and boosted performance – with good stock selection providing an extra lift.

We added to holdings in UK gilts and US Treasuries, as we believe they stand to benefit from the slower rate rises and lower inflation expectations brought on by central bank activity. We bought more Treasuries than gilts because the latter are vulnerable to Brexit-fuelled uncertainty. Our overall government bond position remains negative, however – just less so than at the start of the year.

Our disciplined investment process and core investment principles underpin our decision making:

  • Diversification – our decision to increase our investment in UK and US government bonds highlights the importance we place on having a diversified portfolio. Government bonds are attractive at times of greater uncertainty as they provide good hedging characteristics and therefore help to reduce risk.
  • Value and selectively contrarian – many investors have been avoiding sterling because of the cloud of uncertainty hanging over the UK while parliament continues to debate the best way ahead on Brexit. But we have increased our position in the currency as we see it as undervalued and actually showing strength on the world stage. Taking positions in currently ‘unloved’ assets – that are therefore good value – but that we think have long-term potential is a core aspect of our investment approach.                                                                    
  • Patience – Economic growth is slowing, but we had predicted this and have positioned our portfolios and funds accordingly, keeping a close eye on the long-term outlook. Markets will always rise and fall day to day, but we believe patience is crucial. There were fears of a recession at the end of the quarter when yields on short-term bonds rose above those on longer-dated bonds – referred to as an inverted yield curve. Whether it happens or not remains to be seen, however. We believe the best move as investors is to stay focussed on the future while maintaining a dynamic asset allocation to navigate markets.
Fund returns, after fees (GBP Class A - distributing) Defensive Balanced Growth Equity Growth
Last Quarter 4.8% 6.7% 8.4% 10.4%
Rolling 12 Months:
End march 18 to end march 19 1.6% 2.8% 3.2% 4.7%
End march 17 to end march 18 1.0% 1.9% 2.0% 1.9%
End march 16 to end march 17 11.3% 16.3% 20.2% 23.5%
End march 15 to end march 16 -4.0% -5.9% -6.7% -7.4%
End march 14 to end march 15 11.6% 10.6% 10.3% 10.0%
Source: Coutts/Thomson Datastream

Past performance should not be taken as a guide to future performance.
The value of investments, and the income from them, can go down as well as up, and you may not recover the amount of your original investment.

Holdings and

Fund Update

Over this quarter we have trimmed equity exposure in favour of government bonds. Such bonds provide valuable diversification benefits, particularly in volatile markets, so we increased our investments in US and UK bonds throughout 2018 and in January this year.

We removed our financial sector equity theme from portfolios and funds in January. It now looks less attractive considering the longer-term outlook of slower economic growth and central banks dialling down the pressure on interest rates. Our other equity themes of healthcare and technology continue to perform well, supported by continued innovation and demand created by demographics.

We are also holding cash because, in the highly mobile markets seen over the last six months, it provides flexibility to take advantage of any opportunities that arise.

(Please note: not all positioning changes will be relevant for all portfolios)

The value of investments and any income from them can go down as well as up, and you may not recover the amount of your original investment. Where an investment involves exposure to a foreign currency, changes in rates of exchange may cause the value of the investment, and the income from it, to go up or down.

In the case of some investments, they may be illiquid and there may be no recognised market for them and it may therefore be difficult for you to deal in them or obtain reliable information about their value or the extent of the risks to which they are exposed.

Investments in emerging markets are subject to certain special risks, which include, for example, a certain degree of political instability, relatively unpredictable financial market trends and economic growth patterns, a financial market that is still in the development stage and a weak economy.

Latest News

and Insights

  • Silicon valley bank collapse | Insights | Coutts

    • Global Finance
    • Investments
    15-Mar-2023
    insights-us-feds With Silicon Valley Bank collapsing and the banking sector shaken, how bad is it for investors? In our view, not as bad as you might think. But it could impact interest rates in the all-important US.
  • New tax year, new tax changes | Insights | Coutts

    • Global Finance
    • Investments
    27-Feb-2023
    EMGHY4 As the new tax year approaches, you might want to know about possible changes to what you’ll pay in tax. In his Autumn Statement last November, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced a series of tax freezes and adjustments. While there are no personal tax rises, the fact that some rates have been frozen following a year of rising prices means we’re likely see more people fall into the higher rate category and find themselves paying more tax as wages increase.
  • Monthly Financial Market Update | Coutts Private Bank

    • Wealth managers
    • Euro
    • Investment
    • Coutts invest
    • High-net worth individuals
    • US
    • Wealth management
    • Manage portfolio
    • CMAF
    • Investments
    • Coutts
    • Wealth manager
    • Investment banking
    • Investing
    • Investing money
    • Managing investment
    • London
    • Emerging Markets
    • Dollar
    • International
    • UK
    • Markets
    • Europe
    • Investments
    • Asia
    • Sterling
    • Portfolio management
    • Managing wealth
    • High-net worth
    • Economy
    • Money management
    • Portfolio managing
    • Long-term plans
    • Funds investment
    • Manage wealth
    • Healthy portfolio
    • PPF
    • Long-term
    • Wealth
    02-Sep-2022
    As UK CPI forecasts turn even more pessimistic, the economy comes under increasing pressure.