Top 5/Bottom 5: UK Equity and Bond Income

Many income funds will use a combination of bonds and equities but have a leaning towards one or the other, with perhaps only 10 per cent allowable in whichever is not its core purpose. Funds in this sector, however, are allowed between 20 and 80 per cent in bonds and equities, giving flexibility on finding income.

The sector over 12 months is doing fairly well with an average of £1,224 returned on an initial £1,000, with net income reinvested. All of the funds in the sector managed a return of capital, although best and worse differed by almost £300.

The top performer was the Cavendish UK Balanced Income fund, returning £1,331 on the initial £1,000. Its asset allocation goes some way to explaining this excellent performance, with 74.3 per cent in equities and 23.58 per cent in bonds. Equities do not automatically equal returns, however, and good management of income-yielding stocks is crucial.

At the other end of the scale, the F&C High Income fund returned £1,050 – markedly less, although still at least returning capital. Its allocation is more diverse, with 33.9 in equities, 31.1 per cent in bonds, 20.9 in cash and 14.1 in ‘other’, which includes a derivative overlay strategy to enhance the fund’s yield.