Awdry hits one year anniversary

The 12th June 2007 marks the first anniversary of Charlie Awdry becoming fund manager of the Gartmore China Opportunities Fund.

The Fund has returned 61% in the period since Charlie took over to 1st June 2007. This return is over 9 full percentage points better than that offered by the closest rival and well above the benchmark. The Gartmore China Opportunities Fund is the top performing Fund in the Lipper IMA Asia Pacific ex Japan Sector over one, three and five year timeframes.

Charlie comments, " We are pleased with the returns generated for our investors and, more importantly, are confident that with our robust investment process and strong research team we have the tools in place to continue to generate attractive returns. With £388m under management, the fund is by some margin the largest UK-based China fund.”

On the outlook for the future, Charlie Awdry states that, " The Chinese economy continues to grow robustly driven by the secular forces of economic reform, urbanisation, and the growth of consumerism. Corporate profit growth is strong and, with the Beijing 2008 Olympics around the corner, China will continue to be a focus of global attention. The authorities are currently managing the extremely strong liquidity in the economy that is caused by China's trade surplus and low real interest rates. Currently inflation is picking up but is under control and is mostly driven by rising food prices. We continue to find strong franchises at attractive valuations in China and Hong Kong."