Unfortunately, you can’t really put records into an ISA – though it’s about time there was a fund that did invest as per the fine art, stamp or classic car portfolios that are already available to retail investors.
Given volatile equity markets of late – and subsequent warnings to reach for the hard hats – SHAM is coming around to the idea of taking on some real assets.
Nothing too spicy – a long-standing unhappy holding in Investec Enhanced Natural Resources, aside – my alternatives exposure extends to some holdings in bricks and mortar property funds.
Sorry to say, I am very much with the populous in terms of my holdings with M&G and Henderson, which are by far and away the most favoured options for UK wealth managers.
While I’m not expecting much growth, the yield element remains attractive with Mark Carney hinting earlier this year that he is in no great hurry to raise rates soon.
Looking at the IA Property sector as a whole, bricks and mortar funds lag portfolios investing in property shares in recent years
While there is undoubtedly some liquidity risk in buying an open-ended fund, it is also worth noting that M&G Property Portfolio (at 1.26) and Henderson UK Property Oeic (at 1.29) have been two of the least volatile funds within the sector over the past three years.
Of course, if SHAM had the money we’d be investing in actual property to store my now vastly expanding LP collection.
Perhaps the next big investment theme will be autographs, or at least that’s what the ‘Dead Rock Stars Autograph Index’ would suggest.
Yes, according to the press release from Just Collecting, the index has climbed 310% since 2000. Depressingly, it boasts the signatures of David Bowie and Lemmy having climbed significantly in value since their recent deaths.
How you would actually invest or value these things is not really explained so, being a prudent investor, SHAM will be steering clear for the time being. We’ll keep listening though. Oh yes!
SHAM is the continuing adventures of a financial journalist and his meagre ISA. Follow at @SHAMinvestor
