Top-performing investment company sectors in 2023

Private Equity comes first, followed by Technology this year.

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The Private Equity sector is the top-performing sector this year, data from the Association of Investment Companies (AIC) has revealed. The sector produced a return of 43% over the 11 months to the end of November 2023, whereas the average investment company returned 3% over the same period.

The Technology & Technology Innovation sector achieved the second highest return of 37%, while the North America sector came third with a return of 14%. The fourth best-performing sector was Europe which returned 12% and the India/Indian Subcontinent sector came fifth returning 10%.

Annabel Brodie-Smith, Communications Director of the Association of Investment Companies (AIC), said: “It’s been a challenging year for investment companies, with high inflation and rising interest rates, unhelpful cost disclosure regulation and war breaking out in the Middle East and continuing in Ukraine. However, many investment companies have performed well over the first 11 months of the year and this accelerated in November with better-than-expected inflation figures bringing an early Santa rally. 
 

“It’s been a challenging year for investment companies, with high inflation and rising interest rates, unhelpful cost disclosure regulation and war breaking out in the Middle East and continuing in Ukraine. However, many investment companies have performed well over the first 11 months of the year and this accelerated in November with better-than-expected inflation figures bringing an early Santa rally.”

Annabel Brodie-Smith, Communications Director of the Association of Investment Companies (AIC).

Annabel

“Private Equity, the best-performing sector has come back strongly this year, with 3i the top-performing investment trust of the year. Many other trusts in the Private Equity sector are performing well this year but are currently trading on wide double-digit discounts. The Technology & Technology Innovation sector has also bounced back, with the rise of artificial intelligence driving the performance of the ‘Magnificent Seven’ technology stocks in the US.

“This year’s top-performing sectors reflect the market and economic conditions in 2023. It’s important to remember that investment is about the long term. Rather than focusing on today’s winners, it’s important to build a balanced portfolio of investments which suits your needs.”

Ten best-performing sectors in the year to date

AIC sector

Share price total return %

YTD*

1 year

3 years

5 years

10 years

Average investment company

3.36

2.43

16.04

88.81

153.61

Private Equity

43.39

44.38

89.52

145.21

455.55

Technology & Technology Innovation

37.48

28.34

9.05

N/A

N/A

North America

13.62

10.28

21.11

134.45

202.40

Europe

12.27

10.39

16.61

50.07

134.33

India/Indian Subcontinent

10.40

7.88

44.25

38.67

184.94

Property - UK Logistics

8.21

5.25

0.46

37.30

N/A

Debt - Structured Finance

7.76

8.29

24.24

18.38

N/A

Debt - Loans & Bonds

7.67

8.82

14.42

11.67

19.91

UK All Companies

4.94

3.22

2.89

23.11

70.95

Leasing

3.63

6.86

110.26

-11.13

57.96

Source: theaic.co.uk / Morningstar. N/A means there is no performance history for this period. Ordinary share classes only. Excludes VCTs. * Year to date = 11 months to 30 November 2023.

Ten best-performing investment companies in the year to date

Company

AIC sector

Share price total return %

YTD*

1 year

3 years

5 years

10 years

Average investment company

3.36

2.43

16.04

88.81

153.61

3i Group

Private Equity

70.98

73.10

134.22

224.52

791.79

Manchester & London

Global

56.43

44.26

-13.21

39.42

152.17

JPMorgan Emerging Europe, Middle East & Africa

Global Emerging Markets

54.55

62.10

-75.40

-67.77

-59.94

Doric Nimrod Air Two

Leasing

44.43

48.35

171.40

38.42

81.27

Polar Capital Technology

Technology & Technology Innovation

38.92

27.80

11.92

100.59

405.06

Princess Private Equity

Private Equity

34.40

25.76

7.55

36.15

193.45

Allianz Technology Trust

Technology & Technology Innovation

34.29

30.25

1.81

112.03

445.45

Nippon Active Value

Japanese Smaller Companies

33.66

28.73

55.36

N/A

N/A

DP Aircraft I

Leasing

30.56

46.87

17.50

-93.56

-89.93

Amedeo Air Four Plus

Leasing

29.67

32.30

82.49

-34.15

N/A

Source: theaic.co.uk / Morningstar. N/A means there is no performance history for this period. Ordinary share classes only. Excludes VCTs and companies undergoing liquidation. * Year to date = 11 months to 30 November 2023.

In the 11 months to 30 November, 3i Group from the Private Equity sector was the best-performing investment company up 71%, and second came Manchester & London from the Global sector up 56%. They are followed by JPMorgan Emerging Europe, Middle East & Africa from the Global Emerging Markets sector up 55%, and Doric Nimrod Air Two from the Leasing sector up 44% over the same period. The Leasing sector has three companies in the list of ten top-performing companies, whilst the Private Equity sector and the Technology & Technology Innovation sector both have two companies featuring in the top ten performers.

- ENDS -

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Notes to editors

  1. The Association of Investment Companies (AIC) represents a broad range of closed-ended investment companies, incorporating investment trusts and other closed-ended investment companies and VCTs. The AIC’s members believe that the industry is best served if it is united and speaks with one voice. The AIC’s vision is for investment companies to be understood and considered by every investor. The AIC has 343 members and the industry has total assets of approximately £256 billion.
  2. For more information about the AIC and investment companies, visit the AIC’s website.
  3. Disclaimer: The information contained in this press release does not constitute investment advice or personal recommendation and it is not an invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity. You should seek independent financial and, if appropriate, legal advice as to the suitability of any investment decision. Past performance is not a guide to future performance. The value of investment company shares, and the income from them, can fall as well as rise. You may not get back the full amount invested and, in some cases, nothing at all.
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