Data from the investment platform revealed that between March and June, net inflows into the Investment Management Association’s Property sector reached £77m, finally knocking the Mixed Investment 20-60% Shares sector off top spot after a 15-month reign.
According to the IMA, net inflows into property investments have increased by more than 400 per cent in the past year, signalling a steady improvement in the UK economy.
Graham Venn, head of commercial at Cofunds, said a more optimistic outlook for the UK occupier market compared with early 2013 was a “key factor at play here – a reflection of the stronger domestic economy and the perception that risk has lessened for the global economy, and specifically the eurozone”.
The Cofunds data also revealed that the IMA sectors Strategic Bond, UK Equity Income and North America were placed third, fourth and fifth respectively.
Adviser view
Juliet Schooling Latter, research director at London-based Chelsea Financial Services, said: “Diversification is a key reason for the recent investor interest in property funds. It is no surprise property has seen a surge in demand as it offers potential high income compared with yields on most other asset classes.”
| 20 top-selling funds, May 2014 |
1 | Cavendish Opportunities |
2 | Henderson UK Property |
3 | Standard Life Investments UK Property Feeder |
4 | Invesco Perpetual European Equity |
5 | Royal London UK Equity Income |
6 | Premier Multi-Asset Distribution |
7 | Henderson European Focus |
8 | Henderson Cautious Managed |
9 | F&C MM Navigator Distribution |
10 | Jupiter Strategic Bond |
11 | Threadneedle UK Equity Income |
12 | SWIP Property |
13 | HSBC American Index |
14 | AXA Framlington Managed Balanced |
15 | Henderson Strategic Bond |
16 | Artemis Global Income |
17 | Polar Capital North American |
18 | M&G Optimal Income |
19 | Legal & General UK Property |
20 | Unicorn UK Income |