- AJ Bell made three changes to its Favourite Funds list in Q3 2025
- The FSSA Asia Focus fund was added to the list, while the Stewart Investors Asia Pacific Leaders and Stewart Investors Worldwide All Cap funds were removed
- The departure of experienced portfolio managers at Stewart Investors was largely behind the removals
Paul Angell, head of investment research at AJ Bell, comments:
“Our Favourite Funds list includes funds which we have the highest conviction in and is under constant review. We analyse each fund’s investment strategy, the fund managers, and their teams.
“Changes in these areas can result in updates to the list to ensure it continually consists of funds which we believe have a strong chance of achieving their investment objectives.
“Between July and September, we made the decision to remove two Stewart Investors funds from the list and added the FSSA Asia Focus fund, as outlined below.”
- Added: FSSA Asia Focus fund
“The FSSA Asia Focus fund benefits from a disciplined investment approach. Fund manager Martin Lau and his team seek businesses with excellent management teams, strong pricing power, cash generation and low debt to ensure that invested companies are able to maintain sustainable growth.
“When it comes to sustainability, invested companies will have low exposure to coal, gambling, tobacco, armaments and other controversial sectors.”
- Removed: Stewart Investors Asia Pacific Leaders and Stewart Investors Worldwide All Cap funds
“In the last quarter, we removed the Stewart Investors Asia Pacific Leaders and Stewart Investors Worldwide All Cap funds from our Favourite Funds list. This was largely due to the departure of its managers David Gait and Sashi Reddy, as well as Sujaya Desai, a third member of the team.
“The loss of these portfolio managers deprives the team of its most experienced members, resulting in funds which in our view are understrength from a portfolio management and research perspective.
“Both funds invest with a dual mandate of seeking long-term capital growth while investing in companies which promote sustainable development. We see the FSSA Asia Focus fund as a well-placed alternative to deliver on these objectives within Asia, and we are reviewing a number of potential alternative funds within the global sector.”
AJ Bell Favourite funds explained:
The AJ Bell Favourite funds is a list of funds across different sectors and risk appetites that have been extensively researched and selected by our in-house investments team, designed to help investors with their own investment research. The list is chosen by our investment specialists, is regularly updated, and features only funds that we believe offer a combination of a clear and robust investment philosophy and process, a proven management track record and value for investors.