Five global equity funds beating the MSCI World Index


Money Management used FE Analytics to find five funds investing primarily in global equities that have consistently outperformed the benchmark used by the majority of funds in the sector, the MSCI World Index.
The MSCI World index returned 15.56 per cent for five years, 11.81 per cent for three years, 24.71 per cent for the year to last month’s end and 12.31 per cent for the six months to 31 August, and has remained in the top quartile for all years bar three, where it dropped to second quartile.
Although the four FE Crown-rated Loftus Peak Global Disruption fund follows a benchmark-unaware strategy, it has consistently produced top-quartile returns for all time periods, hitting a peak for the year to 31 August of 32.13 per cent, putting it almost 10 per cent above the index.
The three-Crown BlackRock International Alpha Tilts fund, which actually aims to track the MSCI World ex Australian Index, has also outperformed the MSCI World Index by between 100 and 300 basis points across all timeframes.
AMP Capital’s Enhanced Index International Shares Core fund, which is rated three Crowns and designed to track the MSCI World Accumulation Index, similarly outperformed the MSCI World Index for all timeframes bar three years, producing returns of 15.58 per cent, 11.59 per cent, 24.43 per cent and 11.63 per cent for the five years, three years, one year and six months to 31 August 2018, respectively.
The fund invests in “FAANG-like” stocks, with Apple the top holding (2.25 per cent), followed by Microsoft (1.73 per cent), Amazon (1.65 per cent) and Facebook (1.18 per cent).
The three-Crown Advance International Shares Core fund also sat just above the index for all timeframes bar three years.
The CFS FirstChoice Wholesale Geared Global Shared fund was a top-quartile performer, returning 17.59 per cent, 14.76 per cent, 26.8 per cent and 11.57 per cent for the five years, three years, one year and six months to 31 August, respectively.
The chart below shows the performance of all funds as compared to the MSCI World Index across the five years to 31 August 2018.
Recommended for you
The $673 billion global investment manager has appointed a former Zenith sales head as it seeks to expand its reach in the Australian wealth management market.
Fund managers may be operating in a squeezed environment, but a salary guide shows they are willing to pay up for specialist talent to diversify their fund range.
Reach Alternative Investments has entered into a strategic partnership with Russell Investments to bolster its wholesale private markets offering for financial advisers and investors.
Boutique investment consulting and research house Genium Investment Partners has announced a senior appointment to drive further growth in its research ratings business.