Investing and risk
Investing money always means taking some risk. Even if you leave cash under a mattress, the risk is that its value can be eroded over time by rising prices. However, the more risk you take with an investment, generally there is the greater the potential for a better reward. On the other hand, the greater the potential for a bigger loss.
Risk means different things to different people, but for many it means the risk of their original investment losing value. Fund values will move up and down with investment markets, but to varying degrees. That's why we have risk ratings: to give you a good idea of the risk you are taking when you invest in our funds.
Here's how we measure the risk of the funds
We give each of our funds a risk rating, ranging from 1 (lowest volatility) to 7 (highest volatility). These ratings reflect the potential for a fund to go up and down in value over time. We calculate our risk ratings using historical performance data and information from each fund’s investment manager(s). We review our risk ratings each year, so they may change over time.
Risk and return are linked. This means funds with a rating of 1 are less likely to lose money, but your money might not grow very much. It's also important to bear in mind the impact of charges on a fund's performance. Funds with a rating of 7 have a much higher risk of losing money, but the potential for your money to grow over the long term is higher.
These investment risk ratings are based on our interpretation of investment risk and are only meant as a guide. These levels of investment risk are not guaranteed and may change in the future. Risk tends to be associated with potentially higher volatility. The higher the risk levels, the more likely the value of a fund may go up and down from day to day.
The fund centre is kept up to date with the latest risk rating. You can find the latest risk rating for our funds on the fund centre.
| Risk rating | Description |
|---|---|
| 7. Highest Volatility | Funds typically investing in the highest risk sectors, such as specific themes or shares of companies in emerging markets. These funds offer the highest potential for long-term returns, but also experience the largest day-to-day price movements compared to other funds. They therefore present the highest risk that the value of your investment could fall. |
| 6. High Volatility | Funds typically investing in high-risk sectors, such as shares of companies in developed overseas markets. These funds offer high potential for long-term returns, but also experience large day-to-day price movements, and so present a significant risk that the value of your investment could fall. |
| 5. Medium to High Volatility | Funds typically investing in shares of companies in the UK or a mix of other major stock markets. These funds offer the potential for good returns over the long term, but fund prices will move up and down and so present a high risk that the value of your investment could fall. |
| 4. Medium Volatility | Funds typically investing in a mix of assets with the potential for better long-term returns than lower risk funds. Compared to lower risk funds there is a greater risk that the value of your investment could fall. |
| 3. Low to Medium Volatility | Funds typically investing in assets like corporate bonds or a mix of assets where the day-to-day prices go up or down less than shares. There is still a risk that the value of your investment could fall. |
| 2. Low Volatility | Funds typically investing in assets like the highest quality corporate bonds, which normally offer better long-term returns than savings accounts. There is still a risk that the value of your investment could fall. |
| 1. Lowest Volatility | Funds typically investing in the lower risk sectors - like the money market - which usually aim to provide returns similar to those available from deposit and savings accounts. These funds offer the lowest potential for long-term returns, but also experience the smallest day-to-day price movements compared to other funds. They present the lowest risk to your investment, although there is still a risk it could fall in value. |
The way we describe our risk ratings was updated in March 2020 and may differ from your investment literature. This does not affect the level of risk we associate to each rating.
Fund risk warnings
As well as the risk ratings there are specific risks associated with investing in some funds, or types of funds. We recommend you read through these before deciding which fund(s) to invest in.
Not all of these warnings apply to each fund and there is no direct relationship between the number of fund risk warnings and the investment risk rating for a fund.
| Risk Warning Code | Risk Warning Description |
|---|---|
| A - General | Investment is not guaranteed: The value of an investment is not guaranteed and can go down as well as up. You could get back less than you have paid in. Specialist funds: Some funds invest only in a specific or limited range of sectors and this will be set out in the fund’s aim. These funds may carry more risk than funds that can invest across a broader range or a variety of sectors. Suspend trading: Fund managers often have the ability, in certain circumstances, to suspend trading in their funds for as long as necessary. When this occurs, we will need to delay the ‘cashing in’ or switching of units in the relevant fund. You may not be able to access your money during this period. Derivatives: Derivatives are financial contracts whose value is based on the prices of other assets. Most funds can invest in derivatives for the purpose of managing the fund more efficiently or reducing risk. Some funds also use derivatives to increase potential returns, known as ‘speculation’. For those funds we apply an additional risk warning (see Risk F). |
| B - Foreign Exchange | When funds invest in overseas assets the value will go up and down in line with movements in exchange rates as well as the changes in value of the fund’s holdings. |
| C - Emerging Markets | Where a fund invests in emerging markets, its value is likely to move up and down by large amounts and more frequently than one that invests in developed markets. These markets may not be as strictly regulated and securities may be harder to buy and sell than those in more developed markets. These markets may also be politically unstable which can result in the fund carrying more risk. |
| D - Smaller Companies | Where a fund invests in the shares of smaller companies, its value is likely to move up and down by large amounts and more frequently than one that invests in larger company shares. The shares can also be more difficult to buy and sell, so smaller companies funds can carry more risk. |
| E - Fixed Interest | Where a fund invests in fixed interest securities, such as company, government, index-linked or convertible bonds, changes in interest rates or inflation can contribute to the value of the investment going up or down. For example, if interest rates rise, the value may fall. |
| F - Derivatives | Derivatives are financial contracts whose value is based on the prices of other assets. The fund invests in derivatives as part of its investment strategy, over and above their use for managing the fund more efficiently. Under certain circumstances, derivatives can result in large movements in the value of the fund and increase the risk profile, compared to a fund that only invests in, for example, equities. The fund may also be exposed to the risk that the company issuing the derivative may not honour their obligations, which could lead to losses. |
| G - Cash/Money Market Funds | These are different to cash deposit accounts and their value can fall. Also, in a low interest rate environment the product or fund charges may be greater than the return, so you could get back less than you have paid in. |
| H - Property Funds | The fund invests substantially in property funds, property shares or direct property. You should bear in mind that • Properties are not always readily saleable and this can lead to times in which clients are unable to ‘cash in’ or switch part or all of their holding and you may not be able to access your money during this time • Property valuations are made by independent valuers, but are ultimately subjective and a matter of judgement • Property transaction costs are high due to legal costs, valuations and stamp duty, which will affect the fund’s returns |
| I - High Yield Bonds | The fund invests in high yield (non- investment grade) bonds.Non-investment grade bonds carry a higher risk that the issuer may not be able to pay interest or return capital. In addition, economic conditions and interest rate movements will have a greater effect on their price. There may be times when these bonds are not easy to buy and sell. In exceptional circumstances, we may need to delay the ‘cashing in’ or switching of units in the fund and you may not be able to access your money during this period. |
| J - Reinsured Funds | Where a fund invests in an underlying fund operated by another insurance company through a reinsurance agreement, if the other insurance company were to become insolvent, you could lose some or all of the value of your investment in this fund. |
View our fund range
Once you’ve read all the important information above, why not visit our fund centre to view our funds?
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