Asset Management

Terry Smith: My underperformance was ‘inevitable’

Smith blasted some tech companies for self-inflicted errors as central banks make life tough for the star stock picker

Smith is not alone among City stars to fall this year, but Fundsmith Equity unusually lagged wider markets in 2022
Smith is not alone among City stars to fall this year, but Fundsmith Equity unusually lagged wider markets in 2022 Photo: Manuel Romano/Getty Images

Star stock picker Terry Smith has defended the performance of his flagship Equity fund, claiming negative returns posted last year were “inevitable” as the era of easy money drew to a close and the tech stock bubble burst.

One of the most successful names in UK fund management, Smith — who paid himself £36m during the 12 months to the end of March 2022 — has boasted years of stellar performance with his philosophy of buying good companies, not overpaying, then doing nothing.

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