Just eight investment sectors delivered a positive return this year as markets were hit by a global sell-off, research has revealed. The top performer among the Investment Association’s 37 categories was UK direct property, which grew 4.75%, followed by UK index-linked gilts, with a return of 3.25%. UK direct property covers funds that invest directly in commercial and residential real estate, as well as leisure and healthcare buildings and student accommodation. The research, by the investment manager Tilney, shows the six other positive fund sectors in 2018 were: UK gilts; technology and telecommunications; global bonds; money market; short-term money market; and property (other), which covers specialist real-estate investments and securities. The biggest faller was European smaller companies, which finished the year down 14.42%. Until the
UK direct property was the top-performing investment sector in 2018 , with Just eight sectors experiencing growth, according to research by investment manager Tilney . Direct property’s growth of 3.25% led UK index-linked gilts with 3.25% growth. UK gilts, technology and telecommunications, global bonds, money market, short-term money market, and several other property classes also experienced growth. The biggest decline came from European smaller companies, which fell 3.25% . Meanwhile, Brexit uncertainty has hit investor optimism in UK shares, corporate bonds and property, according to a survey by Brexit .