The average investment company was down 5% over the twelve months to the end of November although the longer term figures paint a far more positive picture, up 54% in three years.
The caveat to this is that 2008 was a particularly poor year for all equity investors.
In terms of sectors, the best performers have been the specialist assets with direct European property being the best performer, up 7%, while the two top-performing investment trusts being in the specialist debt sector.
The top performing AIC member over the past 12 months is Real Estate Credit Investments, up 48%, followed by Greenwich Loan Income (40%) and Marwyn Value Investors (39%) which is in the AIC’s global smaller companies sector.
Annabel Brodie-Smith, communications director for the AIC, said: “While 2011 has been a torrid year for markets, it has clearly provided some good investment opportunities for some of the more specialist investment companies.”
She added that: “Although it is always useful to see who has performed well over the past year, it should be remembered that investing is for the long term and investment companies often achieve best returns over longer periods.
“This year’s hot sector or company may not be so popular next year so it’s important to take a long-term view.”
