One To Watch: Franklin Templeton US Opps

Despite its roots across the Atlantic, Franklin Templeton is best known in the UK as an emerging markets specialist and, since its acquisition of Rensburg, for its UK equity capabilities.

But the group’s decision to bring its US Opportunities fund to the UK market in 2009 has paid off: the fund now sits in the top quartile of the IMA North America sector. The fund, which is managed by Grant Bowers and Conrad Herrmann from the US, has returned 72.3% over three years to 30 March versus an IMA North America sector average return of 57.1%. Over one year the £10m portfolio has returned 8% versus a sector average of 5.1%. The onshore version of the fund was launched in January 2009 to provide easier access to a US Opportunities strategy that has been run in a Luxembourg-domi...