HEAD-TO-HEAD: Morgan Stanley vs Threadneedle

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Manager review

The reputation and appeal of both funds lies in the track records and continued ability of the respective managers. FE Analytics has awarded five crowns to each fund and alpha manger rating status to both Morgan Stanley’s Heugh and Threadneedle’s Dudding.

Heugh is a 17-year veteran of the industry and has been in charge of the Morgan Stanley Global Opportunity Fund since its launch in 2010. In fact, the initiative for the setting up the fund largely lay with him.

“Heugh had been successfully managing a North American fund with a similar style that kept approaching its international exposure constraints, so the creation of the global fund was a logical progression,” said Meatyard.

However, he is by no means a lone wolf. He  has the support of a large team of analysts and access to a dedicated group in New York whose task is to identify the “next best source of technological disruption” that fund managers, such as Heugh, can incorporate in their investment process and portfolio construction,” said Meatyard.

Dudding joined Threadneedle in 1999 as an equity research analyst after working as financial journalist. He managed the firm’s European Smaller Companies strategy for a decade before moving to his current role in 2012.

In meetings with Dudding, Meatyard said she has been impressed by his constant self-appraisal and his willingness to face up to stock selection mistakes.

“He is upfront and doesn’t prevaricate,” she said.

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