Execution-only clients flock to bonds

Bond funds enjoyed a surge in popularity among execution-only clients in the final quarter of last year, according to platform Cofunds' latest sales figures.

Money flows through Cofunds' institutional service showed bond funds accounted for the top three funds in the execution-only sector, with M&G Strategic Corporate Bond, Standard Life Investments Global Index Linked Bond and Investec Strategic Bond the most popular.

Fixed income funds proved popular across the board, accounting for three of the five highest-selling funds sold on Cofunds through wealth managers.

Product providers (accounting for the underlying collectives within their pension, bond and SIPP wrappers), and execution-only clients, both favoured Corporate Bond during the three months, with the M&G Strategic Corporate Bond fund top of the rankings across both sectors.

"Bond sectors were universally popular in Q4 and this trend was particularly prevalent with execution-only clients," said Cofunds director, institutional services, Christopher James.