Japan calls are key to pan-Asian performance

Richard Sennitt-managed Schroders Far East Income tops peer group over year to end of March, with credit crunch pushing investors into dividend-focused stocks

Performance on Schroders' £37.2m Far East Income fund has been stellar versus peers over the last year thanks to global market illiquidity. In November 2006, the fund converted to an income-seeking approach that has been rewarded during the credit crunch as investors have flocked to more cautious dividend-focused stocks. The fund's 6.29% growth over the 12 months to 24 March is the Asia including Japan sector's only positive result, with worst performer Lloyd George Japan Pacific reporting -7.63%. Funds in the peer group have lost an average of 3.06%, according to Morningstar. Schro...