The Fund’s A4 share class returned 2.6%* in euro terms in November. The Fund’s comparator benchmarks, the MSCI Europe Index and HFRX Equity Hedge EUR Index, returned 6.4% and 2.7% respectively.
Global markets performed strongly in November as investors bet on a ‘Goldilocks’ scenario whereby cumulative policy tightening brings inflation under control without triggering a recession. Although interest rate cuts are now being priced in, the minutes of the European Central Bank’s last meeting suggested it remains vigilant to upside inflation risks Eurozone inflation for November was also lower than expected, giving support to European stocks.
Sector returns for the MSCI Europe Index were largely positive in November with the exception of energy (-2.1%). The real estate (+14%), information technology (+13%) and industrials (+10%) sectors led the way with double-digit returns for the period.
While the Fund’s long book performed strongly, returning 7.2% - ahead of the benchmark return, overall Fund returns were restricted by its short book (c.40% NAV). The short book’s focus on expensive stocks with high forecast growth was also vulnerable to resurgent investor sentiment pushing these share prices higher. The average short position rallied by significantly more than the wider market, increasing the performance drag from the short book.
Danish jewellery manufacturer and retailer Pandora (+15%) had another strong month, building on its impressive performance over the year to date. In its Q3 update, the company noted an acceleration in organic growth to 11%, while upgrading its growth guidance for the full year to +5% to +6%, previously +2% to +5%. Pandora stated that increased investments into the brand, as part of the next phase of its Phoenix strategy, is showing strong signs and driving greater consumer engagement.
Swedish cloud-based accounting software company Fortnox (+31%) bounced back strongly in November following a tough October as positive market sentiment drove the performance of a number of our holdings.
French wholesale electrical distributor Rexel (+15%), British sports-fashion retail company JD Sports (+24%) and Spanish clothing multinational Inditex (+16%) were other holdings to perform strongly despite no investor newsflow.
London-based direct marketer of promotional merchandise company 4imprint (-14%) was among the few detractors for the Fund over the month. While its trading update raised guidance on pretax profit for the year, its shares fell on comments that it has recently seen some weaker demand patterns indicative of a more cautious economic environment.
The Fund’s short position in a personal care, beauty, and baby consumer goods company was a notable detractor after it announced a third quarter earnings beat and an uplift in full-year guidance. In addition, the short position in a France-based biotechnology company was a detractor after the company rose sharply following the announcement of investment in the firm by a global biopharma company.
Discrete years' performance (%) to previous quarter-end**:
|
|
Sep-23 |
Sep-22 |
Sep-21 |
Sep-20 |
Sep-19 |
|
Liontrust GF European Strategic Equity A4 Acc EUR |
3.7% |
29.2% |
36.8% |
-14.9% |
3.0% |
|
MSCI Europe |
19.2% |
-11.0% |
28.8% |
-7.8% |
5.7% |
|
HFRX Equity Hedge EUR |
2.5% |
-4.0% |
16.5% |
-2.4% |
-3.5% |
|
|
Sep-18 |
Sep-17 |
Sep-16 |
Sep-15 |
|
Liontrust GF European Strategic Equity A4 Acc EUR |
2.6% |
5.2% |
0.7% |
14.5% |
|
MSCI Europe |
1.5% |
16.3% |
1.8% |
2.6% |
|
HFRX Equity Hedge EUR |
-1.1% |
5.8% |
-1.3% |
-3.6% |
*Source: Financial Express, as at 30.11.23, total return (income reinvested and net of fees).
**Source: Financial Express, as at 30.09.23, total return (income reinvested and net of fees). Discrete data is not available for ten full 12-month periods due to the launch date of the portfolio (25.04.14). Investment decisions should not be based on short-term performance.
Key Features of the Liontrust GF European Strategic Equity Fund
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.
Overseas investments may carry a higher currency risk. They are valued by reference to their local currency which may move up or down when compared to the currency of the Fund. The Fund may, under certain circumstances, invest in derivatives, but it is not intended that their use will materially affect volatility. Derivatives are used to protect against currencies, credit and interest rate moves or for investment purposes. There is a risk that losses could be made on derivative positions or that the counterparties could fail to complete on transactions. The use of derivatives may create leverage or gearing resulting in potentially greater volatility or fluctuations in the net asset value of the Fund. A relatively small movement in the value of a derivative's underlying investment may have a larger impact, positive or negative, on the value of a fund than if the underlying investment was held instead. The use of derivative contracts may help us to control Fund volatility in both up and down markets by hedging against the general market. The Fund may encounter liquidity constraints from time to time. The spread between the price you buy and sell shares will reflect the less liquid nature of the underlying holdings. The Fund uses derivative instruments that may result in higher cash levels. Outside of normal conditions, the Fund may choose to hold higher levels of cash. Cash may be deposited with several credit counterparties (e.g. international banks) or in short dated bonds. A credit risk arises should one or more of these counterparties be unable to return the deposited cash. There is no guarantee that a positive absolute return will be generated over any time period.
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
