Diversity drives Specialist sector

Specialist funds vary in performance as small and niche groups contrast with biggest names in investment

With such a vast range of products having little or no correlation, the diversification of performance in funds under the IMA Specialist sector banner is no surprise. But while it contains a number of smaller and more niche vehicles, the sector also houses some of the most respected names in fund management, including Jupiter’s Philip Gibbs and J.P. Morgan’s Ian Henderson. Henderson’s £2.1bn Natural Resources vehicle has delivered a return of 35.1% over 12 months to 24 May, compared to a 27% IMA Specialist sector average, according to Morningstar. The fund aims to provide long-term...