OBSR revises several fund ratings
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Old Broad Street Research (OBSR) has altered the ratings on several funds and awarded new ones.
Fidelity Special Situations, managed by Sanjeev Shah, has seen its A rating upgraded to AA. OBSR says Shah has successfully navigated the fund through difficult markets since taking it over from Anthony Bolton in 2008. His contrarian style is in line with investors’ expectations of the mandate, and has ensured a smooth transition in performance since his appointment to the fund, OBSR says.
Richard Woolnough’s M&G Optimal Income was also upgraded from A to AA. The ratings agency says his flexible, unconstrained investment style has enabled the fund to deliver a strong relative return.
Allianz RCM US Equity was given an A rating for the first time
Allianz RCM US Equity was given an A rating for the first time. OBSR says Seung Minn, the portfolio manager, has a disciplined strategy combining fundamental and quantitative research which has proved effective in a range of market conditions.
Edinburgh Partners Global Opportunities, run by Sandy Nairn, also has a new A rating. Nairn’s fund offers a different approach to many other global mandates owing to his absolute return mindset and intensive research process, OBSR says.
Ben Wallace’s Gartmore UK Absolute Return also receives a new A rating following his proven track record running absolute return mandates including the AlphaGen Octanis hedge fund.
M&G High Yield Corporate Bond, managed by Jim Leaviss, gains a new A rating as OBSR says his ability to reduce high yield exposure where necessary makes it an interesting offering in the £ High Yield sector.
Jeremy Smith’s Neptune UK Equity joins the ratings service with an A rating. OBSR says it is an actively managed fund with a flexible investment style, in which the manager leverages off Neptune’s global research process to create a best ideas portfolio.
Standard Life Investments Global Absolute Return Strategies (GARS) also gains an A rating
Old Mutual Global Strategic Bond has a new A rating as OBSR says it is an attractive offering for investors seeking an unconstrained approach to global bond and currency markets. It is managed by Stewart Cowley, who joined Omam in June this year as the head of fixed income.
Standard Life Investments Global Absolute Return Strategies (GARS) also gains an A rating. The fund, run by the multi-asset team, led by Euan Munro, has demonstrated consistent performance in line with its objective, according to OBSR.
Finally, Richard House’s Threadneedle Emerging Market Bond fund has a new A rating. The ratings agency says the fund’s straightforward mandate and the manager’s strong emphasis on relative risk and liquidity make it an attractive offering in the asset class.
