The Mid Cap arena is a dynamic changing sector with 50% of earnings coming from the UK; when the UK economy is growing these stocks benefit strongly.
There are over 400 UK Equity Growth and Income Funds; providing investors with access to many different investment styles. So choosing the right fund depends upon understanding their methods and aims.
Performance is part of the equation but equally the management team is crucial. We have met a number of talented Fund Managers, the likes of Standard Life Investments, Neptune, Schroders, Legal and General, Threadneedle and Liontrust (not all of these are in our portfolios).
We have recently been introduced to Chris St John who manages the AXA Framlington UK Mid Cap Fund. The fund was launched in June 2011.
The manager has adopted a conservative approach to management with over 70 holdings. No holdings dominate the portfolio; the top ten holdings have similar weightings and the manager does not look to hold more than 4% in any one stock. This reduces the volatility of the fund which some investors might like.
The approach has not compromised returns with outperformance across all periods since launch.