Funds and Trusts > Fund Managers

Advantages: An easy method of including commodities in your investment portfolio
Disadvantages: ETFs and ETCs are a new idea, commodity investment always has been risky

...called 'exchange traded funds' or ETFs that track commodity prices. You can buy ETFs that track gold, silver, platinum, iron, oil, corn, wheat or even lean hogs, or ETFs that track agricultural indices or hold a range (a 'basket') of commodities. Such ETFs are also known as ETCs or 'exchange traded commodities'. Until ETCs were introduced it was very difficult for retail investors to get direct exposure to commodity markets. Why invest in commodities? ...
...commodity in question. Can ETFs be put into ISAs (UK only)? For those who don't know, ISAs or individual savings accounts are tax-free investment accounts available to UK residents. From April 2008 UK residents can put GB£7200 pa into an ISA, which optionally includes GB£3600 cash. Until this time, the overall ISA limit is GB£7000 of which only GB£4000 can be held in shares. ETFs and ETCs are treated as shares like any other, so in principle ... Read review

Advantages: ISA, Ease of use, multiple funds under one umbrella.
Disadvantages: Time delay in receiving redemption payouts.

INTRODUCTION: Fidelity Investments is one of the worlds largest privately owned asset management organisations. It opened its research office in London in 1973 and six years later offered funds to UK investors. It is now a leading provider of ISA's and also one of the leading fund managing houses. It also hosts a fund supermarket under the name of Fidelity FundsNetwork. My experience: I have found investing through fidelity useful in many ways. ...
...prompt. Once you start using Fidelity you start to trust them more as they are very proffessional and quick. No sitting around wondering what is happening to your redemption/purchase--they keep you informed by email as well as post. Security: I've found Fidelity to be secure till date. They have a very effective secure messaging system that feels very safe when they have to message you. They send you an email to log into you secure messaging facility ... Read review

Advantages: No charges
Disadvantages: None

I live near Dundee, the home of Alliance Trust and Alliance Trust Savings. Its just about the biggest in the UK and been going a very very long time. I have had my PEP and ISA accounts there for over a decade. By investing through Alliance Trust Savings Ltd. one can keep Alliance Trust and any other shares, bonds etc. in one self select, ISA /PEP package. It now has full online management facilities with instant electronic trading. They also still ... Read review

Advantages: £25 minimum, Three choices of Funds, Top 18 Fund Managers
Disadvantages: bi-annual statements, no website

...all. The Abbey Multi manager actually has 18 funds managers around the world looking after your money. According to the investment specialist Abbey pays them bonuses so they have to make you money or they dont get paid. Pretty Simple!!! When I did my own research I realised that they were actually some of the biggest Fund Managers around such as Merill Lynch, Barclays Global Group, Rossenburg & JP Morgan. They great thing is I'm only paying £25 ...
...When I called Abbey they said I wasnt obliged to pay every month if I didnt want to. This Multi Manager is so flexible its unbelievable. If you want make lump sums their minimum is £250. Personally I wish it was lower, especially when you've got a few pounds lying around that you rather not spend. When it comes to monitoring the performance though, that can be a little frustrating. They do send statements but only every 6 months so it can be a bit ... Read review

Advantages: It is supposed to have low fees _ I havent' check this though
Disadvantages: Slow and complicated to get the funds out

I found the process of withdrawing money unnecessarily time-consuming, complicated and misleading. To withdraw money, you need to send them a fax listing all your funds. It takes then 7 working days to "settle" your account, after which they will send you a cheque in the post. I needed to be paid as soon as possible, and sent their form via fax as soon as I could. Next day called to ask if they could do a bank deposit instead of the cheque. Then, ... Read review