Ian Martin is head of asset management and research at Lloyds TSB International Private Banking. He tells The Wall Street Journal why he likes funds that emphasize stock-picking expertise.
The stock-market rally last year was about markets rebounding after the worst financial crisis in a generation. It had very little to do with quality stocks outperforming the rest. In fact, many low-quality stocks outperformed better stocks. Today, it's much more about picking quality equities from the rest, so we like funds that back talented stock selectors. We think Alger's American Fund and GLG Partners Investment Funds Ltd.'s Continental Europe Fund give investors good exposure to good stock-picking opportunities.