Sector report: Can absolute return ever do what it says on the tin?

The IMA Targeted Absolute Return sector has been the subject of significant comment and debate over recent years. The column inches dedicated to the subject certainly demonstrate that many investors are sceptical towards the concept and/or usefulness of the sector. We argue that the sector contains a number of attractive investment vehicles that merit consideration at either the core or periphery of investors' portfolios. However, the extreme range of mandates and objectives incorporated within the category means that it is often unhelpful to frame the analysis of the funds, or the de...