Fund Manager Top Pick for 2012!

This fund has been selected by BlackRock as a Top Pick Fund for 2012.

Why do the Investment Managers think it has good growth and investment potential?

This fund offers:

A proven track record for the fund and the BlackRock Natural Resources Team
Long-term outperformance of the Gold Equities to Bullion Price and FTSE Gold Mines Index over the last 10 years (source: DataStream)
The BlackRock World Gold fund is up c.1,050% against the FTSE Gold Mines Index of c.550% and the Bullion Price of c.650%

Key points to note:

This fund has a strong track record, returning c1,050% over the last 10 years
It can provide leverage to the gold bullion price
It's managed by a highly skilled team, using the breadth and depth of BlackRock's platform to access companies all around the world

Why do you believe this fund will outperform?

In the shorter term, Gold mining equities are at a discount to the Bullion Price. If clients believe the Gold price is supported, which the BlackRock Natural Resources team do, with jewellery demand, investment demand, the Central Banks becoming net buyers of the metal and the constrained supply story, then the equities could, at some point be re-rated by the market, potentially creating good returns for the fund.

Over the longer term, the fund provides diversification to a portfolio and the long-term track record is extremely strong both in absolute terms of performance and against its peer group.

What is the fund objective?

The World Gold Fund seeks to maximise total return by investing globally, at least 70% of its total assets in the equity securities of companies whose predominant economic activity is gold-mining.

It may also invest in the equity securities of companies whose predominant economic activity is other precious metal or mineral and base metal or mineral mining but the fund does not hold physical gold or metal.

For more information please see the prospectus.

Who is the Fund Manager?

Graham Birch decided not to return from his 12-month sabbatical so this fund is now managed by Evy Hambro and Robin Batchelor.

Evy Hambro formally appointed co-manager alongside Graham at the start of 2002. Hambro's entire career has been focused on the analysis of precious metals and mining and he helped Birch to build the team into the cohesive unit they have today. He brings an outstanding pedigree in his field and his entire career has been focused on the analysis of precision metals and mining.

Evy has run the 14-strong Natural Resources Team at BlackRock alongside Robin Batchelor since 2009. Evy is responsible for the mining expertise, made up of four analysts, and Robin Batchelor is in charge of the energy side of the house which includes four energy analysts and another two who specialise in agriculture.

Who is Blackrock?

BlackRock Global Funds BlackRock Inc is an independent forum providing investment management, risk management and advisory services. Historically the firm has targeted institutional investors, but it has recently permeated the retail market, not least through the acquisition of Merrill Lynch Investment Managers in 2006. The merger strengthened its reputation on the equity front and made it the biggest asset managers globally with assets under management at $1.26 trillion.

More about Blackrock

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Costs

BlackRock allows distributors to charge 5% for this fund (as per prospectus). At RaboDirect you will only pay 0.75% entry fee and 0.75% upon exit. We never charge for unexecuted or cancelled orders or for that matter cost of account maintenance.

Warning: Past Performance is not a reliable guide to future performance. The value of your investment may go down as well as up. Some Investment Funds may be affected by changes in currency exchange rates.

* Funds frequently bought together: This is for the information of our customers, and potential customers, based on general customer investment patterns, and does not constitute advice from us that you invest in any particular fund or a recommendation from us that a particular fund is suitable for you.