Topic 8 (collective Investements) Flashcards
What are the main forms of collective investments?
- unit trusts
- investment trusts
- investment bonds
- OEICs
What is meant by diversification?
- involves creating a portfolio of investments that are spread across different geographical areas, asset classes and sectors of the economy
- the aim is to spread risk and make more money
How are investment funds categorised?
- location
- industry
- investment
- specialisation
What are managed funds?
Most companies offer managed funds and are chosen by people seeking steady market growth while remaining. Conservative with the risk of loss
Describe actively managed funds
Use the services of a fund manager to make decisions on asset selection and when holdings should be bought/sold
Describe passively managed/tracker funds
They want to replicate the performance of a particular stock market index. A manager can be used but asset selection is computerised
What is a unit trust?
A pooled investment creates under a trust deed
- an investor can contribute to a unit trust by way of a lump sum or regular contributions
How can a unit trust be categorised?
- as an equity trust (underlying assets are mainly shares and pay a dividend)
- fixed interest trust (interest yielding assets and pays interest)
What is a trust?
An arrangement whereby one person gives assets to another to be looked after in accordance with a set of rules
Who has control of the manager under a trust deed?
The trustees who get get the money from the investor
What is the role of the unit trust manager?
To buy back units from investors who wish to sell them
Will generate a profit from charging management fees and dealing in the units
What is the role of the trustees?
Have overall responsibility to ensure investor protection and carry out a number of duties
How are unit trusts authorised?
By the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)
How are unit trusts priced?
The manager will divide the total value of the fund by the no. of units he has issued (unit prices are related to the underlying value of the fund)
What are the 3 important prices with unit trusts?
- Offer price (clients buy the units)
- Bid price (investors sell units back to the managers)
- Cancellation price (minimum permitted bid price)
What is meant by the bid/offer spread?
It is the difference between the bid and offer prices, usually in the region of 3-5%
What is forward pricing?
Where clients buy or sell in a given dealing period at the prices that will be determined at the end of the dealing period
What 2 documents do purchasers receive from managers?
- The contract note (confirmation of the fund, unit price and amount paid)
- The unit certificate (specifies the fund, no. of units held and proof of ownership)
What are the 2 charges for unit trusts?
- The initial charge (covers costs of purchasing fund assets)
- The annual management charge (the fee paid for the use of the professional investment manager between 0.5-1.5%)
What are the 2 types of units?
- Accumulation units (reinvest any income generated by underlying assets)
- Distribution or income units (split off any income received and distribute it to unit holders)
How are Unit Trusts taxed?
- Equity based trusts
2. Fixed interest trust
What are the rates for equity-based trusts?
- 5% basic rate
- 5% higher rate
- 1% additional rate
This happens when income is in excess of the DA
What is Fixed interest trust?
- classed on savings income
- income is paid gross without deduction of tax
What are the risks with unit trusts?
-no guarantee the initial amount invested will be returned or a certain level of income will be paid
What are investments trusts?
They’re collective investments and are public limited companies whose business is investing in the stocks and shares of other companies
How can people invest in an investment trust?
Involves purchasing shares in the investment trust through:
- a stockbroker
- a financial advisor
- direct from the investment trust manager