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JPMorgan Global Convertibles Income Fund - Positive outlook for niche asset class

JPMorgan Global Convertibles Income Fund (JGCI) is the UK’s only listed closed-end fund focused on the convertible bond market. Convertibles usually pay a coupon (like an ordinary bond) but also have an embedded option to buy the underlying equity, meaning they benefit from rising share prices, as well as downside protection from the par value of the bond being repaid at maturity. While JGCI’s NAV total return has been flat to negative over the past year and its share price has drifted lower, its managers see potential for convertible bonds to perform well in the current economic and market environment, given they tend to outperform traditional fixed income as interest rates rise. A continuation vote will take place at the 2018 AGM in November; the board has recommended that investors vote in favour, given the outlook for the asset class. JGCI currently yields c 5% and has an active discount control programme.