New fund will adopt boardroom brainstorming strategy

Sunday 02 March 2008 01:00 GMT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Investors may soon be able to tap into the know-how of FTSE company directors, following the launch of an investment trust – a type of fund that can be placed in an ISA – reflecting the thinking of blue-chip bosses.

The theory is that directors are better informed than the market about the companies they run, and that consequently their share dealings should outperform the market across the FTSE 100, FTSE 250 and FTSE Small Cap indices.

Working with Exeter and Bristol universities, Knox D'Arcy Investment Management tracked directors' investment decisions over a seven-year period and found that they outperformed the relevant benchmark by an average of 141 per cent between January 2000 and June 2007.

Based on this research, Knox D'Arcy has launched the Directors' Dealing Investment Trust, which will invest in UK-listed stocks in companies valued at more than £25m.

Steve Marriott, a fund analyst for financial adviser BestInvest, pointed out that fund managers already use this strategy. "Tracking what directors invest in because of their superior knowledge is a good indicator," he explained.

"But in isolation, this approach could be a little weak. Directors can make mistakes just like anyone else, and can often be overconfident about companies they are involved in."

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in