UK equities are among the most unloved investments globally, with domestic-facing stocks particularly out of favour. Valueorientated investors may be asking themselves if there is an opportunity here, or if the ‘Brexit discount’ is justified. The Bank of America Merrill Lynch fund manager’s survey of global allocators saw weightings to the UK reach a historic low in March, and the country has been one of the least favourite locations all year amongst respondents. James Goldstone, manager of the Invesco Perpetual Select UK Equity and Keystone trusts, tells us US investors are on a “buyer’s strike”. Amongst domestic investors the data shows a similar pattern: the Investment Association reports that the open-ended UK All Companies sector was the worst-selling in March, as it was in four other months of the past 12. The UK equity income sector was the worst-selling in two months over the same period. We examine a number of trusts which have managers who believe they may benefit from a resurgence of interest in stocks exposed to the UK domestic story.
