Is this what your portfolio is missing?
Archived article
Archived article: please remember tax and investment rules and circumstances can change over time. This article reflects our views at the time of publication.
Are you looking for something a bit different, to complement other investments? I’ve spent my career analysing fund managers, then running one of the UK’s best-performing funds. Over five years it ranked 26th out of 209 funds in the sector (see below). I’ve learnt many lessons. This new portfolio provides a clean slate to apply them. It won’t look like a typical fund – and is likely to be different from everything else you own already. And that is by design.
Register to get updates on Charlie’s share portfolio
Important: This is a portfolio of listed shares for experienced investors. Its value will go down as well as up. You should not invest money you cannot afford to lose.
What you will get:
A relentless focus on the long-term
I have observed that short-termism pervades the investment industry. All too often there is a myopic focus on factors that move markets – like economics and politics – but pale into insignificance in the long run. I focus entirely on long-term business prospects. I’m utterly convinced this is a more effective way of growing long-term wealth than trying to guess what the economy, stock market or Federal Reserve will do.
A high conviction portfolio
I see most fund managers owning many stocks, and not wanting to stray too far from the benchmark. This portfolio can go anywhere in search of the best opportunities. I’ll focus on my 15-20 best ideas. This means I’m not padding out my portfolio with lower-quality names, nor compromising my investment principles. And I never have to own companies just because they are in a benchmark.
Exceptional under-the-radar firms
If you look under the bonnet of a lot of funds, the same names often crop up. Many of the companies I’ll buy in the portfolio aren’t household names, nor widely owned by fund managers or retail investors. But they are established leaders in their niches. I believe they have compelling long-term prospects, underpinned by exceptional business models and cultures.
Complete openness
If you invest, you will see all the companies in the portfolio. And I will be crystal clear about why I have picked them. If you haven’t already, I encourage you to check out my blogs to see what you can expect.
Next steps
The portfolio will launch in the new year – it will be available only to Wealth Club members. I will be investing my own money, as will Alex Davies, Wealth Club’s founder and CEO. If what you've just read is of interest and you’d like to join us, register your interest and we will contact you as soon as it launches.
Performance of HL Select UK Growth Shares under Charlie’s tenure
| Annual Performance Growth | 01/12/2016-01/12/2017 | 01/12/2017-01/12/2018 | 01/12/2018-01/12/2019 | 01/12/2019-01/12/2020 | 01/12/2020-01/12/2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HL Select UK Growth Shares (Acc) | 22.0% | 2.2% | 15.6% | 1.7% | 12.2% |
| IA UK All Companies | 15.3% | -3.2% | 12.4% | -6.3% | 18.0% |
Past performance is not a guide to the future. Performance is shown net of fees on a bid-to-bid basis, with dividends reinvested. Source: Morningstar, 01/12/2016 to 01/12/2021. Charlie managed the fund from launch until he resigned in the latter part of 2021.
About Charlie Huggins, Head of Equities
Charlie joined Wealth Club in April 2022 from Hargreaves Lansdown, where he worked for over 10 years, including five years as a fund manager, overseeing c.£500 million of assets.
He was lead manager on the HL Select UK Growth Shares Fund and co-manager on the HL Select UK Income Shares Fund.
In the five years from launch to 1 December 2021, HL Select UK Growth Shares (Acc) generated a total return of 64.7%, versus 38.7% for the peer group. This ranked the fund 26th out of 209 funds in the sector, although please remember past performance isn’t a guide to the future.
Prior to managing funds, Charlie worked as a Fund Research Analyst, meeting hundreds of fund managers and studying their processes. Sitting on both sides of the fence has given Charlie a distinct perspective on the industry.
He is a CFA Charterholder as well as holding the Investment Management Certificate (IMC) and a diploma in regulated financial planning. Charlie studied Biochemistry at Oxford University, gaining a First Class Master’s Degree.
Charlie’s share portfolio service for Wealth Club investors is expected to launch in the new year.
Wealth Club aims to make it easier for experienced investors to find information on – and apply for – investments. You should base your investment decision on the offer documents and ensure you have read and fully understand them before investing. The information on this webpage is a marketing communication. It is not advice or a personal or research recommendation to buy any of the investments mentioned, nor does it include any opinion as to the present or future value or price of these investments. It does not satisfy legal requirements promoting investment research independence and is thus not subject to prohibitions on dealing ahead of its dissemination.