Upper Quartile Time Saving Funds Analysis publishes data on more than 500 managed funds each month. Using quantitative research from Morningstar, it sorts over 1100 funds into fifteen primary fund categories and measures the 'upper quartile' factor for each fund category. The process then determines which of all the funds included in the database are rated as 'upper quartile' (in their fund type), based on the database grouping. Click here for a copy of the Upper Quartile User Guide.

Fifteen primary categories of funds

For the purpose of comparison, these 'market types' are grouped into fifteen primary different categories:

The analysis comparison, with data drawn from the same time frame and in the same market for all funds, is updated as at the end of each month and emailed no later than the 20th of the following month. Subscribers can also print or email the graphic display of the upper quartile factors(UQF) for each category, in a variety of combinations of categories and time frames.

Why short and longer-term results?

By reporting on 30, 60, 90 days, as well as four, five and six months, the reports identify how consistently the fund has compared to other funds within its same primary category on a monthly basis, as well as whether it has remained in the Upper Quartile of its category (on a one year, three year and five year rolling basis, as at the effective date of the report). Because of the likelihood of any fund being marginally in or out of the Upper Quartile in the short term, the report also shows the percentage by which each fund has underperformed or outperformed its UQF benchmark on a one year basis. Its numerical ranking within the total database identifies the position of each fund within its category and helps track whether the fund is maintaining, losing or improving its results, compared to other funds of the same grouping.

Three and six monthly results are actual returns - rather than being adjusted rolling rates of return and each month's report includes the average return of all the funds in each category. This provides for a variety of methods of reporting performance - rather than only using the traditional RRoR method.

For detailed information on how the rankings are designed to be used, please refer to the "User Guide for Financial Planners, Accountants and Trustees of Self-Managed Superannuation Funds". It is delivered upon initial subscription, is available as a hard copy (by request) and can be downloaded from the website. It is also delivered with every sample report. Use the request box on this page, to get your FREE SAMPLE report.

Not trying to time the markets, not 'churning' funds

Most researchers recommend that investors do not try to "time the market", but should invest their funds and be prepared to live with the ups and downs of the investment markets. Because of the style of comparison and rankings, Upper Quartile reporting offers a minimum four to six month view on any fund under review. Upper Quartile encourages an objective view of short-term results, which can distort investment reporting if not properly placed in context. Upper Quartile has published a FREE four year research report "Positive Outcomes from Investing in Managed Funds" which proves the Upper Quartile process is not designed for "churning". Get it here.

Identifying investment opportunities and costs

Upper Quartile's analysis has proven that once a fund has remained out of the upper quartile for its fund type for at least three consecutive months, and continues to decline in its peer ranking, there may be a substantial 'opportunity cost' by remaining in that fund instead of using a different manager or moving to a different fund type. In the same way, until a fund remains in the upper quartile for three months on a consistent basis, while maintaining or improving its peer ranking, consideration must be given to the risk of relying on short term results and that the fund may not meet your long-term financial investment objectives.

Automatic reinvestment of distributions, rather than accumulating cash for new investment opportunities, can also become a major 'opportunity cost' through lack of liquidity, the time required to disinvest and take up a new opportunity and by masking true investment capital including the (pre-tax) distributions compared to current values.

Specific Disclaimer
Not all managed investment funds open to new investment or that have ever been available through the Master Trusts are included in this analysis. Therefore, there may well be better performing funds available in other Master Trusts or in Retail funds than those currently included in this research list. In addition, there may be funds still included in the Master Trusts' administration process that would not be ranked outside the Upper Quartile for more than six consecutive months, which are not included in this report.

Upper Quartile Time Saving Funds Analysis consults with the Master Trust administrators in an effort to provide an accurate and up-to-date list of investments open to receive new investment funds. Provision of this information is subject to the availability of reliable data from the Master Trust administrators, because of the varying styles and time frames used to add and remove funds from their active menus.

However, Upper Quartile cannot and does not offer to guarantee that every new fund available or every old fund ever supported in which clients may still have funds invested is included in the report. Provision of this information is subject to the availability of reliable data from the Master Trust administrators, because of the varying styles and time frames used to add and remove funds from their active menus.

Every adviser and investor is urged to make their own inquiries as to the availability of and/or administration support of various funds, before making a personal investment decision or giving advice to a third party in respect of making new investments or redeeming old ones.

No responsibility will be accepted for any investment decisions or recommendations made by third parties which may later be claimed to be based on or influenced by this information. No responsibility will be accepted for any investment losses or damages, (real, implied or assumed) which may be claimed to have arisen as a result of relying upon or being influenced by this information or, alternatively, the lack of information. All data has been sourced from external sources and no guarantee can be given for its accuracy.

Not investment advice

The information published in the Upper Quartile Time Saving Funds Analysis is not to be regarded as investment advice. Please refer to the Disclaimer notices, on this Website

Upper Quartile acknowledges that some or all of the data used to generate its reports may have been sourced from FPI Ltd and/or Morningstar.
Please refer to the Conditions of Use statements in this website regarding the use of this data.