Funds to watch – 3 years
T Rowe Price US Large-Cap Growth Equity has been managed by Rob Sharps since its 2003 inception. The manager is supported by an analyst pool of 100 sector specialists who conduct detailed fundamental analysis. The strategy is based on the belief that long-term growth in earnings and cashflows drive returns, and that rapid growth is often fuelled by innovation. The fund’s investment philosophy has not changed in two decades and has survived the test of time. Morningstar rates the fund Silver.
Vanguard US Opportunities invests mainly in US stocks, with an emphasis on companies that are considered to have prospects for rapid earnings growth. The fund’s investment manager, Primecap Management Company, uses fundamental research to identify stocks that are expected to outperform the market over a three- to five-year time horizon. The fund was closed to all new investments from 3 March 2014.
T Rowe Price US Blue Chip Equity has been run by Larry Puglia since its inception in 2003 and has a solid, 21-year track record at its US-sold counterpart. Beyond benefiting from an experienced manager, the fund draws on T Rowe Price’s analyst team. Puglia looks for companies with sustainable earnings, high returns on invested capital and free cashflow growth. Morningstar rates the fund Silver.