In terms of returns, the fund came in second place out of the top 10 most viewed with three-year returns to 18 December 2017 at 45.21%. The Fundsmith – Equity fund returned the best out of the top 10 for the same period at 66.24%.
The Jupiter fund was found to have been researched 47% more than the Fundsmith fund, was awarded five FE Crowns at the last ratings rebalance, and was featured on FE’s approved fund list.
FE analyst, Tanvi Kandlur, said Darwall had built an impressive track record in European equity investing.
“The reason for its popularity among advisers is likely down to the fund’s strong performance this year. Over a one-year period (as of 18 December), Jupiter European is the best performing fund in the IA Europe ex-UK sector,” Kandlur said.
“Darwall’s style of investing in high-quality companies with growth potential can weather various market environments. The strategy has demonstrated that it can consistently add alpha over the long-term through superior stock picking.”
GARS hit
Last year’s most researched fund, Standard Life Investment Global Absolute Return Strategies (GARS) fund was knocked down to sixth place which FE said was thanks to its poor return performance of -8.87% for the three years to 18 December 2017.
FE noted this was the first time GARS was not featured in the top three researched funds since 2011.
Jupiter, Fundsmith and GARS funds three-year returns to 18 Dec 2017
Performance changes
Standard Life Investment’s GARS was also removed from the FE Approved List in September 2016 and FE research manager, Charles Younes, said the GARS result was not surprising given the fund’s poor performance over the last three years.
“The fund is about to record two consecutive years of negative performance, which leaves the performance significantly below its target of cash + 5% over a rolling three years period,” Younes said.
“The fund has also recorded outflows, as investors were offered alternatives such as JPM Global Macro Opportunities, Invesco Perpetual Global Targeted Absolute Return and Aviva Multi Strategy Target Returns.”
