Nick Train, who runs the £1.3bn Finsbury Growth and Income trust has been buying UK companies with exposure to the Asian economy as he searches for global growth.
Mr Train’s trust has returned 47 per cent over the past three years to 13 June, compared with 24 per cent for the average trust in the AIC UK Equity Income sector in the same time period.
The fund manager said a number of his holdings, including Manchester United Football Club and Burberry, have enjoyed very strong share price performance over the past months.
What the companies have in common is their exposure to the Asian consumer.
He began buying shares in football club Manchester United in September 2017 and said the shares will continue to do well due to the club’s popularity in Asia.
Luxury brands he backs such as Burberry also fit into this theme, with Asian consumers' increased buying power and desire for globally known brands being the major driver of growth for many companies on the London Stock Exchange.
Mr Train described Manchester United and Burberry as “global elite brands” with a strong presence in Asia.
Simon Edelsten, who runs the £91m Artemis Global Select fund said he has long taken the view that the best way to gain access to global emerging market growth is through buying companies listed on developed market stock markets that have exposure to emerging markets.
Adrian Lowcock, investment director at Architas said: “Mr Train is a fund manager who is deliver growth, and provide both diversification and stability to a portfolio. Mr Train is a stock picker who looks for companies with excellent brands, franchises and unique market positions.”
David.Thorpe@ft.com
