US leads

By Alice Ross
Published: September 20 2008 03:00

A number of UK fund managers are looking to the US for opportunities as the country leads the way in energy efficiency technology.
"US companies have become an increasingly significant part of my portfolio and it is likely that this exposure will increase further going forward," says Charlie Thomas, manager of the Jupiter Green Investment Trust and the Jupiter Ecology Fund.
One technology seeing strong growth is automated metering, used by utility companies to charge more for electricity at peak times. BlackRock New Energy Trust, a UK-listed investment company, has increased its holding in Itron, a main player in the area.
Another of Blackrock's holdings is American Superconductor, which irons out inefficiencies in electricity grids. It added 10 per cent to its share price over the past year.
Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2008