InvestmentsJan 18 2018

Threadneedle’s Kinder is Corbyn-proofing his portfolio

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Threadneedle’s Kinder is Corbyn-proofing his portfolio

The fund manager said there were companies that might lose out if there is a Labour government, giving the example of outsourcing giant Capita which benefits from many government contracts.

Capita's shares are down from 501p at the start of the year to 370p today (19 January)/

But Mr Kinder said he does not believe in buying shares "just because they have fallen a lot".

Alternatively he said there are some companies that could "thrive" if Mr Corbyn is elected prime minister.

If a period of economic uncertainty followed, Mr Kinder cited the example of, which he owns, Whitbread, the FTSE company that owns Premier Inn, saying that as a low cost operator in the hotels sector, it might actually benefit if people cut back on their spending.

Another stock he highlighted which he owns is in his portfolio is Howden Joinery, a FTSE 250 company that sells fitted kitchens.

Mr Kinder said demand for Howden's products is likely to be resolute regardless of the political and wider economic climate.  

His comments come in the wake of Richard Buxton, who runs the £2.4bn Old Mutual UK Alpha fund, saying advisers are underestimating the risks of Mr Corbyn becoming Prime Minister.

Mr Kinder said the best value in the UK equity market is currently in stocks that earn the greater part of their revenue from within the UK.

He said there is "very little value left" in buying companies such as miners and oil businesses, which have benefited from the improved global economic outlook, as the share prices of those companies have risen.

His Threadneedle UK fund has returned 36.81 per cent over three years, according to FE data, compared to its sector, the UK All Companies, which returned 35.27 per cent.

Simon Evan Cook, multi-asset investment manager at fund house Premier said a potential change in government was the biggest risk to UK investment returns right now.

But he said he views the risk as largely priced into the valuations of UK shares already.

Mr Evan Cook said: "If we do have a change of government, it is likely that public sector pay would rise quickly, and that would lead to higher consumer spending in the short-term at least, so those stocks might do well."

Paul Milburn, investment analyst at Newcastle-based intermediary Lowes Financial Management, said: "We do not appear to be in the midst of political turmoil which could lead to another snap election being called.

"Even if one were to be called the chance of the next government being a Labour one it too binary an outcome on which to base your investment decisions."

He added: "True, Corbyn has said that if he were to gain power he would look to review Private Finance Initiative (PFI) deals, re-nationalise utilities and the Royal Mail. This may cause some angst in those particular sectors but let us not forget that he will need full backing from his own party for this to be achieved.

"Careful consideration will also need to be given to what replaces PFI contracts so that the important projects behind them are still achieved. This is not something which can happen overnight even if Labour were to be voted in.

"For now we will continue to carefully construct our portfolios with an appropriate level of diversification through careful fund manager selection."

david.thorpe@ft.com