Let’s face it, there are plenty of reasons to avoid a newly launched fund. For starters, there’s the absence of a long-term track record, as well as the sticky question of whether the fund will survive. So why would anyone buy shares in a new fund?
Because new doesn’t necessarily mean green. If the fund is managed by a proven investor who has honed his strategy elsewhere with good results (see Trusted Managers, New Funds), then you know, to some degree, what you’re getting.
And there are other benefits. Managers at a new fund can build a fresh portfolio from scratch. There’s no need to hang on to existing holdings—perhaps to avoid triggering a taxable gain—that they might not choose to buy today. Plus, new funds are typically small, which means managers can move in and out of a security without tipping off the market or affecting the price. This is especially important with small-company stocks. “Those are all important considerations, and they can tip the scales toward a new fund,” says Dan Culloton, a Morningstar analyst. But nimbleness alone won’t make a difference unless the manager has a reliable strategy.
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