Our fund types

Fund types
We categorise our funds using a list of 'fund types' so that similar types of funds can be compared more easily. We also assign each fund a risk/return rating to help you understand the investment risk – see the definitions here.

These fund types are mainly decided by the types of ‘asset class’ a fund invests in. An asset is anything of value that can be invested in.

Assets with similar characteristics are grouped together to form ‘asset classes’. There are four main asset classes – equities (shares), cash/money markets, bonds and property – each with different pros and cons.

An investment fund will invest in one or more asset classes. We categorise a fund based on what type and range of asset/asset classes it invests in. For example, funds in the ’Equities’ category will mainly invest in equities. Some funds may also belong to more than one category. For example, an equity fund that aims to follow a specific stock market index will also be in the 'Tracker' category.

Knowing what category your funds are in lets you compare one fund with another of a similar nature. The funds available for your plan can be filtered by investment fund type in the Fund Centre.

A balanced approach
Some investors like to spread their investments across funds that invest in shares, bonds and gilts, property and cash/money markets, as well as in assets located across different parts of the world. This aims to reduce the overall risk of their total investments and is known as ‘diversification’. The fund range available to you includes funds that invest across different asset classes and geographic regions.

There is no guarantee that selecting funds that combine asset classes will be more beneficial than investing in single asset class funds, as all funds carry an element of risk.

What you need to think about when it comes to risk
Please remember that the value of your investments can go down as well as up, and may be worth less than the amount paid in.

Before making any investment you need to consider your personal financial situation and what you want to get out of your investment.

A financial adviser will help you assess your financial situation, needs and your attitude to risk.

If you'd like a personalised recommendation based on your circumstances, you should seek financial advice. Remember that financial advisers may charge for their services. You can find a financial adviser in your area at www.unbiased.co.uk.