Baillie Gifford has claimed the top spot in FundCalibre’s seventh annual Fund Management Equity Index, pushing three-times winner Morgan Stanley into second place.

Each year, FundCalibre’s research team identifies the asset management companies that have the most consistently strong stock-picking teams.

“Having claimed the top spot for three consecutive years, Morgan Stanley was pushed into second place this year by Baillie Gifford, whose average fund returned 82.16% more than its peers over the five years to 31 December 2020,” said FundCalibre.

“This is the highest average five year outperformance in the history of the survey.

“Ever-present in the top 10 in the past seven years, Baillie Gifford has risen to first place in the index with 15 of its 16 eligible funds outperforming across numerous stock markets.

“The firm was helped in no small part by Baillie Gifford American, which was the best performing fund of the year, returning 121.84% – 105.67% more than its average peer.

“A further four Baillie Gifford funds outperformed their sector average by 50% or more.”