JPM looks to exploit patterns of worldwide consumption

J.P. Morgan launched its thematic Global Consumer Trends fund in April 2008 as a way for investors to gain direct access to the consumer growth story and changing consumption patterns across the world.

Managed by former Japan equity specialist Peter Kirkman from New York, the fund now has £51m under management. Over the year to 25 November the fund returned 20.3% against a 13.6% average return from the Specialist sector and 7.7% from the MSCI World index. Kirkman is confident the fund will grow rapidly as it builds a track record and investors begin to see the benefits of fund dedicated to the consumption theme. “People are waiting to see how things go – they may not invest in a fund less than two years old. This is a new concept and does not necessarily fit into categories – is it a g...