US portfolios barbelling

GAM, Aberdeen, Prudential and Scottish Amicable funds all follow split style

US fund managers are increasingly adopting barbell strategies to combat the difficult market conditions across the Atlantic. While normally considered the preserve of the UK income manager, barbell strategies are now starting to proliferate throughout a number of US portfolios. As a possible US turnaround beckons, many fund managers are starting to up their weightings in more high beta growth stocks, while maintaining an overweight position in defensives as a hedge. Rupert Howard, co-manager of the Aberdeen North American Fund, said he has moved toward a barbell strategy, anticipating...