Sales in mixed assets continues to boom

The Mixed Investment 40 to 85 per cent sector held the top spot in the sales chart in March on the platform for the second month in a row in March.

Volatility Managed and the Mixed Investment 20 to 60 per cent sectors took second and third place respectively, indicating a strong appetite from advisers for more risk-averse assets.

Meanwhile, the Global sector climbed to fourth place, while the Europe, excluding UK sector, secured fifth place for the second month in a row.

Top 10 adviser sales by sector via FundsNetwork

Paul Richards, head of sales at FundsNetwork, said: "March's data indicates that as advisers approached the end of the tax year, they were becoming increasingly mindful of market uncertainty amid growing geopolitical concerns, using mixed investment and volatility managed sectors as they look to balance exposure within clients' portfolios.

"Despite this risk adverse behaviour, it was noteworthy that there were pockets of strong sales within the UK All Companies sector.

"As Brexit negotiations continue, it will be interesting to see if this sector can regain further interest, as the asset class is still largely unloved by international investors and asset allocators.

"Interestingly, strong sales in the UK All Companies sector were reflected within the bestselling funds chart with the top bestselling fund across the platform falling into this category, while also featuring predominantly within the pension and Isa fund bestsellers for March."

AJ Somal, chartered financial planner for Birmingham-based Aurora Financial Planning, said: "l believe there is a stronger appetite for more risk averse assets, so it is no surprise that the 40 to 85 per cent sector is the number one sector."

aamina.zafar@ft.com