Citywire ratings update: McBain’s AA lifts Ruffer presence to five

While some fund managers are suffering in the downturn, Ruffer has more rated managers than ever before.

The turmoil of the past year and a half has hit a number of fund managers and fund management groups badly. Others, however, have managed good performances and risen above the rest. Among the latter are fund managers at Ruffer.

This month Ruffer has five Citywire rated managers, more than it has ever had before, and has achieved this against a backdrop of harsh economic conditions.

Mary McBain earns an AA rating

Leading the charge is CF Ruffer Pacific fund manager Mary McBain, who receives a Citywire rating for the first time this month.

The fund has enjoyed a productive 30-month period (the minimum required for a rating) in which it achieved a 7.21% return. The benchmark MSCI AC Asia has not performed as well, falling by 14.41% over the same period.

The fund has rallied considerably since last October at the height of the worldwide economic downturn, rising by 9%. This is a significant performance given the high volatility in the Pacific region in recent years.

McBain’s overall performance has earned her an AA rating.

Three clinch an A

Following hot on the heels of Mcbain are David Ballance, Steven Russell and Alex Grispos. All receive their first A rating this month.

Ballance and Russell are co-managers on the CF Ruffer Total Return fund, which returned 22.24% over 30 months. This performance pushed it to the top of the IMA Cautious Managed sector rankings over three years. The benchmark LCI Mixed Asset GBP Cons- Global lagged behind the fund, ring by 15.68% over the same period.

Making up its gang of five, Ruffer’s stalwart Timothy Youngman is rated AA. Will the firm’s newly rated managers stand the test of time?