Author Topic: Fund managers - would you use them?  (Read 9446 times)

yozzi

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Fund managers - would you use them?
« on: November 28, 2013, 09:38:04 am »
I've read a lot recently about fund managers and do they justify their fees, etc but it's obviously all down to performance and if they perform then nobody can really complain about paying fees that are agreed upon when you sign up with them. How do you determine which fund manager to use? Is it through being swayed by their marketing and presence in financial media or listening to what friends and colleagues have invested in and have had success with?

I'm looking at a 3 way investment portfolio - first part with my own share picks which are not doing too badly at present, secondly I've invested a large amount in the Indi and now I'm looking at something like A Gray, Coronation, etc. Went into AG yesterday in the CT Waterfront and very impressed with their presentation, etc but just interested in other peoples choice of fund manager, how did you choose them, are you happy with your choice and what sort of returns have you had and did they live up to their promises?

Orca

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Re: Fund managers - would you use them?
« Reply #1 on: November 28, 2013, 06:13:59 pm »
Perhaps you should rephrase that to UT Fund Managers. Mutual Funds and Collective Investment Funds are pooled into one fund.
Many Fund Managers manage your portfolio in your account separately from others. This attracts tax with every sale event. They will not tell you this and believe you me, they keep you as a "Trader" for as long as you are with them.
UT's on the other hand are pooled funds and the trades done within the UT do not attract tax.

That said, I would rather invest in index funds that these Fund Managers are trying to beat. If they do beat the index, they charge you. So why not do it yourself knowing that you cannot under perform the very index you invest in?
The best performing index has been the Indi and not many Fund Managers aim to beat this index. The 36One is one that has been doing well by beating the Indi from time to time.
« Last Edit: November 28, 2013, 06:34:38 pm by Orca »
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Alsie

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Re: Fund managers - would you use them?
« Reply #2 on: November 29, 2013, 07:06:48 am »
I agree with Orca.

Using fund managers you always start below 100 with the factor of their fees. If they charge 2.5%, you start at 97.2% of their benchmark.  It is easy to find out their top shareholding be it whatever type of fund.  Look at the best performers and choose your direct investments from the shares that the best performing fund managers hold in their portfolios.  At least you save their fees.

Some fund managers go so far as to also charge a fee for every transaction they make in your portfolio! Just think about the conflict of interest they have to manage - and who do you think normally comes out as the winner?

Very few fund managers consistently manage to even only equal the index, so at best they generate returns for you below what you can do yourself.

gcr

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Re: Fund managers - would you use them?
« Reply #3 on: November 29, 2013, 10:10:25 am »
I agree with Orca.

Using fund managers you always start below 100 with the factor of their fees. If they charge 2.5%, you start at 97.2% of their benchmark.  It is easy to find out their top shareholding be it whatever type of fund.  Look at the best performers and choose your direct investments from the shares that the best performing fund managers hold in their portfolios.  At least you save their fees.

Some fund managers go so far as to also charge a fee for every transaction they make in your portfolio! Just think about the conflict of interest they have to manage - and who do you think normally comes out as the winner?

Very few fund managers consistently manage to even only equal the index, so at best they generate returns for you below what you can do yourself.
Also many U/T only pay out once a year in terms of dividends and purchase of more units - with these index funds they normally pay out quarterly, you have to reinvest the funds though. I myself are reviewing all my U/T's (other than Coronation T20) with a view to switching the funds into the Indi and maybe the Divi
« Last Edit: November 29, 2013, 12:00:15 pm by Patrick »
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Patrick

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Re: Fund managers - would you use them?
« Reply #4 on: November 29, 2013, 12:02:05 pm »
I agree with Orca.

Using fund managers you always start below 100 with the factor of their fees. If they charge 2.5%, you start at 97.2% of their benchmark.  It is easy to find out their top shareholding be it whatever type of fund.  Look at the best performers and choose your direct investments from the shares that the best performing fund managers hold in their portfolios.  At least you save their fees.

Some fund managers go so far as to also charge a fee for every transaction they make in your portfolio! Just think about the conflict of interest they have to manage - and who do you think normally comes out as the winner?

Very few fund managers consistently manage to even only equal the index, so at best they generate returns for you below what you can do yourself.
Also many U/T only pay out once a year in terms of dividends and purchase of more units - with these index funds they normally pay out quarterly, you have to reinvest the funds though. I myself are reviewing all my U/T's (other than Coronation T20) with a view to switching the funds into the Indi and maybe the Divi

I'm with GCR here, also looking to my UT to index funds, but I don't want to attract extra tax so I'll wait out the 3 year period.

yozzi

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Re: Fund managers - would you use them?
« Reply #5 on: December 05, 2013, 05:50:52 pm »
Who would be the top 3 index funds you would invest in? I'm already in the Indi so who else is on your list of good long term funds to go with? Long term meaning 3-5 yrs.

Nios

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Re: Fund managers - would you use them?
« Reply #6 on: December 05, 2013, 06:08:21 pm »
Have a look here http://www.etfsa.co.za/ETF_factsheet.htm perhaps theres something you might like. Dbx world could be something to get some offshore exposure.

yozzi

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Re: Fund managers - would you use them?
« Reply #7 on: December 17, 2013, 03:01:16 pm »
Have a look here http://www.etfsa.co.za/ETF_factsheet.htm perhaps theres something you might like. Dbx world could be something to get some offshore exposure.

Thanks Nios, interesting reading and although I have already invested a large amount in the Indi I think I may just add to it as the returns have been very good over the last 5 yrs! The Divi and Rafi ETF's although good have not performed as well as the Indi