Charity funds enjoy strong year

Finance | Gareth Jones | 1 Feb 2006

Charity funds ended the year in good form, according to the latest figures from WM, gaining 4.6 per cent during the fourth quarter. This is attributed to strong international equity performance, especially in Japan and Europe ex UK.

Over the whole of 2005, charity funds were up just over 20 per cent for the year. Highest equity returns were recorded in Japan and emerging markets, both of which gained close to 40 per cent. UK (22 per cent) and Europe ex-UK (24 per cent) equities also posted strong returns, and while North America was the lowest performing equity region (up 7.5 per cent in local currency terms), the strength of the dollar meant sterling investors gained 20.2 per cent on the year.

UK government bonds, conventional and index linked produced returns between 8 and 9 per cent for the year, while property remained a consistently strong performer throughout 2005, finishing at over 17 per cent.

Michael Walsh, managing director of WM performance services, said: "The total charity return for 2005 is the best for the last decade. Charity funds have been vindicated for their commitment to equities and returns over the last three years have more than offset the negative years of 2000 to 2002. Over the last three years, the most typical performance assessment period, charity returns are now in significantly positive territory, with an average return of 16.2 per cent pa."

Directory: WM Performance

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