Income funds knock Scottish Mortgage and Fundsmith Equity off most bought spots

investmentweek.co.uk:

Kyle Caldwell, collectives editor at interactive investor, said the change was part of a wider trend of growth strategies losing out to income strategies in the popularity stakes.

Scottish Mortgage had been the favourite for investment trust investors since June 2019, while Fundsmith Equity had beaten back all other funds every month since March 2021. 

However, last month, City of London displaced Scottish Mortgage among investment trusts, and the Royal London Short Term Money Market fund took the crown from Fundsmith Equity. Both usurpers are income-focused strategies.

Kyle Caldwell, collectives editor at interactive investor, said the change was part of a wider trend over the last two years of growth strategies losing out to income strategies in the popularity stakes.

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«The demand for income is intensifying as investors attempt to protect their portfolios against the high levels of inflation. As a result, investors are increasingly turning their attention towards funds and investment trusts offering eye-catching yields,» Caldwell said.

The cash-like Royal London Short Term Money Market has become a favourite with investors at the same time as its yield has been increasing, as interest rates have climbed.

The current yield on its diversified basket of low-risk bonds that are due to mature soon is 5.2%, with investors earning an income on their cash with minimal risk.

Income-focused strategies accounted for six out of the top ten best-selling investment trusts throughout the month. The City of London trust, which has been managed by Job Curtis since 1991, is a consistent income payer, having increased dividends every year for 57 years.  

Caldwell,