Liontrust European Dynamic Fund

The Fund returned 0.6%* in sterling terms in April. The MSCI Europe ex-UK index comparator benchmark returned 2.1% and the average return made by funds in the IA Europe ex-UK sector, also a comparator benchmark, was 1.3%.

Investor sentiment recovered swiftly from March’s banks-led sell-off, allowing European markets to set aside persistently high inflation and the growing prospect of another US bank failure to register a solid gain for the month. European equities are now in an uptrend as measured by the market regime indicators deployed within the Cashflow Solution process. With aggregate market valuations looking fair in Europe our current outlook is fairly constructive, albeit tempered by the presence of somewhat concerning levels of aggressive corporate cash flow expenditure. Within this environment, we expect both value and momentum investment factors to continue to perform well, while growth stocks still look expensive.

Style and sector considerations largely took a back seat in April, however, as European market gains were relatively broad based. Real estate (+7.0%) was the largest sector riser in the MSCI Europe ex-UK Index, bouncing back from its position as March’s biggest faller as fears over banking crisis contagion and rising borrowing costs abated. Consumer staples (+5.4%), healthcare (+5.1%) and utilities (+4.7%) all participated strongly in the rally while only IT (-4.4%) lost ground over the month.

Q1 updates drove some of the larger share price moves within the portfolio.

Swedish industrial tools manufacturer Atlas Copco (+12.5%) released stronger than expected Q1 results, detailing 5% organic growth in order intake to SKr47.7bn, with revenues up 18% to SKr47.7bn. The company commented on “extraordinary” levels of order growth for gas and process compressors, while demand for power equipment was also strong. Customer investment in electric vehicle production capacity increased order volumes for industrial assembly products.

Q1 results from Renault (-11%) also beat analyst estimates but were overshadowed by read-across from Tesla’s pledge to persist with aggressive price cuts as it looks to boost demand. Renault sold 535,000 vehicles in the quarter, 14% higher year-on-year, pushing group revenue up 30% to €11.5bn when combined with the effect of higher sales prices. The company’s order book is at a record level equivalent to 3.3 months’ sales. Around 38% of Renault’s European sales are now in electrified cars, leaving it exposed to margin squeeze if a price war develops.

ASML Holding (-8.1%) reported Q1 net sales of €6.7bn, up 5% quarter-on-quarter, and maintained its full-year 2023 sales growth guidance of 25%. It also pointed to a backlog of €38.9bn, which means its sales are only constrained by production capacity for its lithography machines rather than demand. Investors were nevertheless nervous regarding ASML’s comments on the demand backdrop, which it described as consisting of mixed signals from different end markets, with some customers adjusting or delaying their purchases.

Shares in Novartis (+9.1%) have moved markedly higher since a late March announcement that its Kisqali drug performed well in a Phase III trial, significantly reducing the risk of breast cancer recurrence. In April the Swiss pharmaceutical group reported Q1 constant currency sales growth of 8% and raised its full-year 2023 sales guidance from low-to-mid single digits to mid-single digits, with core operating profit now forecast to rise by high single digits rather than mid-single digits.

Positive contributors to performance included:

Atlas Copco (+12.5%), Novartis (+9.1%) and Ipsen (+8.3%).

Negative contributors to performance included:

Renault (-11%), ASML Holding (-8.1%) and ArcelorMittal (-7.8%).

Discrete years' performance** (%), to previous quarter-end:

Past performance does not predict future returns

*Source: Financial Express, as at 30.04.23, total return (net of fees and income reinvested), bid-to-bid, institutional class. Non fund-related return data sourced from Bloomberg.

**Source: Financial Express, as at 31.03.23, total return (net of fees and income reinvested), bid-to-bid, primary class.

KEY RISKS

Past performance is not a guide to future performance. The value of an investment and the income generated from it can fall as well as rise and is not guaranteed. You may get back less than you originally invested.

The issue of units/shares in Liontrust Funds may be subject to an initial charge, which will have an impact on the realisable value of the investment, particularly in the short term. Investments should always be considered as long term.

Investment in the Fund involves foreign currencies and may be subject to fluctuations in value due to movements in exchange rates. The Fund holds a concentrated portfolio of stocks, if the price of one of these stocks should move significantly, this may have a notable effect on the value of the portfolio.

DISCLAIMER

This is a marketing communication. Before making an investment, you should read the relevant Prospectus and the Key Investor Information Document (KIID), which provide full product details including investment charges and risks. These documents can be obtained, free of charge, from www.liontrust.co.uk or direct from Liontrust. Always research your own investments. If you are not a professional investor please consult a regulated financial adviser regarding the suitability of such an investment for you and your personal circumstances.

This should not be construed as advice for investment in any product or security mentioned, an offer to buy or sell units/shares of Funds mentioned, or a solicitation to purchase securities in any company or investment product. Examples of stocks are provided for general information only to demonstrate our investment philosophy. The investment being promoted is for units in a fund, not directly in the underlying assets. It contains information and analysis that is believed to be accurate at the time of publication, but is subject to change without notice. Whilst care has been taken in compiling the content of this document, no representation or warranty, express or implied, is made by Liontrust as to its accuracy or completeness, including for external sources (which may have been used) which have not been verified. It should not be copied, forwarded, reproduced, divulged or otherwise distributed in any form whether by way of fax, email, oral or otherwise, in whole or in part without the express and prior written consent of Liontrust.