The FTSE 100 index peaked at 5825 this month, the highest since June 2008, and after some initial reaction to the Greek debt crisis earlier this week, the markets are once again recovering. Last week we learned that for the second consecutive quarter the UK has achieved growth, albeit hampered by the severe ice and snow we experienced this winter. We’ve had volcanic ash to deal with and shortly a general election – this is proving to be a remarkable year.
Our Wrap fund selections are doing well in comparison with the various indices. Our UK Property fund, Ignis continues to advance, rising from 11.6% last month to a 15% return over one year. In the Overseas Property sectors Schroder Global Property sustains its lead over the sector average with a return over one year of 69.2% and SWIP European Real Estate over the same period has realised 50.1% for investors.
Aberdeen Emerging Markets continues to stride ahead with a return of 76.7% against its sector average of 62.8%. Blackrock European Dynamic and Invesco Perpetual Pacific are also bringing in excellent returns of 65.2% and 49.7% over the last twelve months.
In our income portfolios, aside from the excellent returns from our selection of property funds, Schroder Income has returned a staggering 53.6% over one year whilst still producing an income yield of 4.37%. The remainder of our UK Equity income funds are successfully providing returns above the index at the same time as producing income.
We rolled out our Wrap update email to yet more investors this quarter and as always have had an excellent response.