Jupiter Merlin Balanced portfolio

Andy Parsons, Advice team manager at The Share Centre explains how investors looking for a balanced return along with the potential for global exposure could benefit from the Jupiter Merlin Balanced portfolio.

"This fund of funds aims to achieve long-term capital growth with income by investing predominantly in unit trusts, OEICs, Exchange Traded Funds and other collective investment schemes across several management groups. The underlying funds invest in international equities, fixed interest stocks, commodities and property.                

"The Jupiter Merlin range of funds is managed by one of the most well-known and respected fund of funds teams within the industry. The team, consisting of three managers, John Chatfeild-Roberts, Algy Smith-Maxwell and Peter Lawery, has been together since 1999; originally working at Lazards before moving to Jupiter in 2001.

"Unlike many others, the team looks at the investment picture from a top-down perspective. Firstly, they identify those key factors that will affect the macroeconomic picture as well as those involved in cyclical turning points. Having decided upon a strategic view and outlook, the managers then look to identify those fund managers that have the most appropriate investment approach.

"In terms of performance, the fund is ranked 1st quartile on a cumulative basis over 3 years and 5 years, while on a year to date basis it has returned 17.29% along with a current yield of 3.10%.

"The Jupiter Merlin Balanced portfolio is ideal for those investors wishing to provide a balanced return along with the potential for global exposure. Investors also benefit from the additional diversification of managers selecting the underlying funds, hence further removing them from direct investment risk with shares in individual companies."