With the CT Universal MAP ranges at £3bn in assets under management and rising, we took a closer look to see if the old saying ‘good things come in threes’ rings true
Meeting defined needs
We launched the three original CT Universal MAP funds – Balanced, Cautious and Growth – back in 2017. Several factors impacting the UK financial advice industry had contributed to an accelerated ‘push to passive’.
But what about those investors that were seeking the potential additional alpha of active management? What about the scope for superior returns in rising markets. The ability to counter downside during more challenging periods! Were these potential benefits now out of reach for many investors?
As the marketplace for investment solutions became increasingly homogenous and as firm proponents of active management, we were keen that advisers retained ‘active’ options in their toolkit. Crucially, these new funds came at a price point more commonly associated with passive solutions with ongoing charge figures (OCF) capped at 29bps. Subsequent expansion of the original CT Universal MAP suite together with the later launch of the Sustainable Universal MAP range means that three potential categories of client needs can be met in a host of financial planning scenarios.
- Risk-rated core portfolios.
- Sustainability-orientated risk-rated core portfolios.
- A risk-rated option for income seekers.
CT Universal MAP - at a glance!
- 29bps OCF – attractive price point
- Actively managed well-diversified core portfolios
- Risk-rated to facilitate client alignment
Three layers of investment expertise
Alongside low cost, active management is the defining feature of the CT Universal MAP range and multiple layers of expertise feed into each portfolio.
- Strategic thinking – with suitability and defined outcomes in mind, each portfolio is designed to deliver within robust risk parameters. Long-term strategic asset allocation reflects this through an appropriate blend of equities, bonds, and cash.
- Tactical moves – as markets and economies fluctuate, challenges and opportunities emerge. Modest short-term adjustments are made to the portfolios with a view to protecting capital and enhancing upside potential.
- Stock selection – the range draws on asset class specialists across our investment platform. Through intense fundamental research they aim to harness the very best investment opportunities. And avoid investments with negative prospects – something a passive strategy simply doesn’t do!
In the years since launch, the range has experienced a host of market environments and the potential merits of active management together with proven investment principles like diversification have come to the fore. The funds have experienced markets trending both up and down and weathered short-term shocks like we saw during the pandemic and in the wake of 2020’s ‘mini budget’.
Simple and effective
Designed as a core portfolio each fund is constructed with simple building blocks.
- Our team invest directly in equities and bonds and these assets are expected to be the primary return drivers.
- We tactically deploy futures in a selective manner as we work to tactically position portfolios on a short-term perspective in a cost-effective way.
- When appropriate we will use options to provide an element of downside protection when deemed prudent.
Supporting you
As well as being robust by design and implementation we’ve been keen to support the range and advisers with a comprehensive suite of materials and services.
- Topical insights into markets and perspectives, including our ever-popular weekly video from Chief Economist Steven Bell. See our website for the latest edition!
- A comprehensive suite of product materials and support including quarterly investment reports, asset allocation ‘flash views’ and tools to help you navigate your Consumer Duty requirements.
- Adviser Edge – a free-to-use educational platform together with training information on a host of regulatory and financial planning topics together with useful tips on practice management.
Don’t just take our word for it! We were delighted to be recently named ‘Best Multi-Asset Fund Range’ by RSMR.
