Top performing fund Biotech Growth Trust (LON:BIOG) returned a fantastic 52%. Its sector, Biotechnology & Healthcare was the top performing sector for the year too.
New research by the AIC (Association of Investment Companies), has revealed that WhichInvestmentTrust.com favourite Biotech Growth trust has returned more to its investors on a total return basis in 2012 than any other fund in the investment trust sector. The figures (taken at the end of November) also revealed the four funds that make up the AIC’s Biotechnology & Healthcare sector beat the return of any other sector over the same timeframe, returning 26%.
The average investment trust has returned 6.34% for the year to date (figures till the end of November), which is below the average of the FTSE All Share index which is a smidgen over 7%.
The next top performing sector is UK Smaller Companies followed by the North American Smaller Companies sectors, which were up 24% and 21% respectively. Surprisingly for many, the next top performing sector is Europe which returned a fantastic 20% (You can read reviews of two of our top picks from this sector below).
The final member of the top five was the Private Equity Sector, up 18%.
| SECTOR | 1 YEAR | 3 YEARS | 5 YEARS | 10 YEARS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biotechnology & Healthcare | 26% | 61% | 84% | 160% |
| UK Smaller Companies | 24% | 59% | 37% | 59% |
| North American Smaller Companies | 21% | 47% | 20% | 39% |
| Europe | 20% | 19% | 1% | 71% |
| Private Equity | 18% | 77% | 73% | 75% |
Data: AIC (Association of Investment Companies) and based upon share price total return on £100 invested, less 3.5% expenses, to 30 November 2012.
Top performing Individual Investment Trusts
The distance between the 12 month returns from the top 5 was not colossal, with the biggest difference over one year being between the leader the Biotech Growth trust at 51%,…
