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Best and worst-performing sectors and funds in September 2018

Posted by Adrian Lowcock in Press releases category on 01 Oct 18

  • Indian funds make up nine out 10 worst-performing funds
  • Oil rally helps Russian funds become best performers
  • Japan leads the best-performing sectors
Japan outperformed Global Emerging Market Bonds to become the leading sector in September in a fairly muted month for equity markets. Japanese Smaller Companies was the only other equity sector to deliver a positive return. 

In what was a mixed month for emerging markets, with the stronger oil price helping to support share prices, particularly in Russia. Brazilian funds also performed well ahead of the elections and rebounding from the sell-off last month caused by the stronger US dollar. 

The top 10 best-performing sectors

Investment Association Sector Percentage Return
Japan 2.27
Global Emerging Markets Bond 1.57
Japanese Smaller Companies 1.02
Sterling High Yield 0.34
UK Direct Property 0.19
Targeted Absolute Return 0.13
Money Market 0.06
Short-Term Money Market 0.04
Asia Pacific Including Japan 0
Sterling Strategic Bond -0.23
Source: FE Analytics, performance from 30th August to 31st September 2018 in pounds sterling on a total return basis

10 best-performing funds

Funds Percentage Return
GAM Star Discretionary FX 14.02
Pictet Russia Index 7.72
Pictet Russian Equities 7.64
HSBC GIF Russia Equity 7.08
Neptune Russia & Greater Russia 6.78
JPM Russia 6.71
GAM Multistock Euroland Value Equity 6.40
JPM Brazil Equity 6.31
HSBC GIF Brazil Equity 6.20
Invesco Emerging European 6.19
Source: FE Analytics, performance from 30th August to 31st September 2018 in pounds sterling on a total return basis

Smaller companies bore the brunt of weaker markets in September, reversing some of the gains made in August. Likewise, Technology continued to be volatile as investors weighed up the outlook for the sector, in which companies continues to be in the spotlight for the wrong reasons.  Although Emerging Markets settled following Turkey’s central bank decision to raise interest rate, concerns remained and India suffered this month as foreign investors withdrew capital because of widening trade tensions, the stronger oil price, weaker currency and the government’s questionable ability to meet its fiscal deficit targets.   

10 worst-performing sectors

Investment Association Sector Percentage Return
European Smaller Companies -2.66
Property Other -1.87
North American Smaller Companies -1.77
Asia Pacific Excluding Japan -1.67
Technology & Telecommunications -1.63
UK Gilts -1.42
Europe Excluding UK -1.34
UK Index-Linked Gilts -1
Global Emerging Markets -0.99
China/Greater China -0.86
Source: FE Analytics, performance from 30th August to 31st September 2018 in pounds sterling on a total return basis

10 worst-performing funds

Funds Percentage Return
Capital Group Capital Income Builder (LUX) -33.77
Invesco India Equity -15.02
GAM Star India Equity -14.57
Jupiter India -14.31
JGF-Jupiter India Select -14.06
Franklin India -12.18
Matthews Asia India -12.08
Neptune India -12.01
JPM India -11.42
GS India Equity Portfolio -11.23
Source: FE Analytics, performance from 30th August to 31st September 2018 in pounds sterling on a total return basis

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