Absolute Return sector ahead on Vantage

Absolute Return funds appear to have come of age with the sector among the best sellers via Hargreaves Lansdown's direct to investors fund supermarket Vantage in August.

The intermediary says this shows the attractiveness of absolute return funds in rising, as well as falling markets.

Gartmore's European Absolute Return fund also took the third spot in the top ten funds bought through the platform.

"Absolute return funds are here to stay. Investors were understandably nervous when they initially launched, but are now investing in ever increasing numbers," says Ben Lundie, HL head of Vantage development.

"The ability of the managers to benefit from rising and falling share prices has struck a chord in these volatile times.

"As with every investment, there are good and bad absolute funds therefore investors still need a discerning eye prior to investing."

As well as the Absolute Return sector, other top sellers were £ Corporate Bond and £ Strategic Bond along with Specialist and UK All Companies.

Meanwhile, Aberdeen Emerging Markets led the individual best selling fund list followed by Artemis Strategic Assets.

Of the funds on the platform, SWIP's real estate funds were among the top performers with SWIP UK Real Estate returning 23.64% and SWIP European Real Estate up 18.21% over the month. SVM Opportunities returned 21.44% and took second place whilst Henderson European Smaller Companies was up 18.66% in third place.