Balanced managed funds top equities

Funds in the balanced managed sector have proven better able to preserve capital than most pure equity funds but have not been immune from the fallout of a two-and-a-half year bear market. Only nine out of the 80 funds, or 8.88% of the balanced managed universe, achieved a positive return over the three years to the end of June. Of these, three posted double digit growth. Moreover, only one fund, AS International Growth, delivered positive growth over 12 months, with the fund up 0.55%, compared to a sector average fall of 12.23%. The sector has proven better able to withstand the downwa...