What were the best and worst-performing funds in 2018?

Tough year for active fund managers

Beth Brearley
clock • 3 min read

Research from AJ Bell reveals the best and worst-performing funds for 2018, with active fund managers struggling to post positive performance.

AJ Bell's findings showed only 22% of active funds managers delivered a return above zero this year, while 36% of investment trusts delivered a positive return. Only three UK Equity Income funds delivered a return above zero this year and just seven UK All Companies funds out of more than 200 returned more than 0%. The top-performing funds in 2018 were dominated by those investing in the US and high-growth sectors, such as healthcare, biotechnology and broader technology, with Baillie Gifford American - which invests in big tech stocks - the highest performer. Laura Suter, personal...

To continue reading this article...

Join Investment Week for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, analysis and opinion from the investment industry, including the Sustainable Hub covering fund news from the ESG space
  • Get ahead of regulatory and technological changes affecting fund management
  • Important and breaking news stories selected by the editors delivered straight to your inbox each day
  • Weekly members-only newsletter with exclusive opinion pieces from leading industry experts
  • Be the first to hear about our extensive events schedule and awards programmes

Join now

 

Already an Investment Week
member?

Login

More on Investment

Investment Week reveals winners of Fund Manager of the Year Awards 2025

Investment Week reveals winners of Fund Manager of the Year Awards 2025

Celebrating 30th anniversary of Investment Week

Katrina Lloyd
clock 20 June 2025 • 6 min read
Partner Insight: A full spectrum of 'sustainability focus' labelled funds

Partner Insight: A full spectrum of 'sustainability focus' labelled funds

Piers Hillier and Ed Venner, RLAM
clock 20 June 2025 • 4 min read
Charles Schwab UK's Richard Flynn: Young UK investors leading thematic investing charge

Charles Schwab UK's Richard Flynn: Young UK investors leading thematic investing charge

At a 'tipping point'

Richard Flynn
clock 17 June 2025 • 3 min read
Trustpilot