To give long-term capital growth by aiming to track the capital performance of the UK equity market, as currently represented by the Financial Times Stock Exchange 100 Index. The fund normally invests in all of the companies included in the Index.
The six months to the end of June have been a volatile period for UK equities. The best performing areas of the market, mining and oil & gas production, have benefited from strong commodity markets. In contrast, the credit crisis and gloomy economic outlook have left their mark on most sectors, with banking and property particularly affected by the lending squeeze and weakening housing market.