How to avoid extortionate funds fees

British investors pay much more than their US counterparts for managed funds. Jody Clarke explains - and what you can do about it.

The City likes to boast of how competitive it is. But if that's the case, why do British investors end up paying so much more than their US counterparts for managed funds? The average total expense ratio (TER), which takes into account everything from management expenses to trading fees, is 1.66% in the UK compared to 1.32% in the US, according to Lipper, a fund research firm. So why the added expense?

First off, fund managers in the UK and Europe tend to charge a flat fee, even if the amount of money under management rises. In the US, managers use a sliding scale for fees, in which charges fall as assets rise. Our fund managers are under less scrutiny too. Lipper notes that US funds are subject to greater oversight from independent directors, which further contributes to low fees.

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Jody Clarke

Jody studied at the University of Limerick and was a senior writer for MoneyWeek. Jody is experienced in interviewing, for example digging into the lives of an ex-M15 agent and quirky business owners who have made millions. Jody’s other areas of expertise include advice on funds, stocks and house prices.