Liontrust SF UK Growth Fund

The Fund returned 8.9% over the quarter, versus the IA UK All Companies sector average of 4.5% and the 2.3% return from the MSCI UK Index (both of which are comparator benchmarks)*.

The future of sustainable investment has been questioned by a number of different parties recently. Yet, in contrast, we are more excited about the prospects for the sustainable themes and stocks we invest in than we have been for many years.

We believe interest rates are at peak levels and should fall towards the central banks’ targets by mid to late 2024. The current higher interest rate environment will likely lead to lower economic growth, and we believe there will be cuts in interest rates earlier than the market expects.

Given this view and the fact that interest rate rises were the primary catalyst for the sell-off in the long duration growth equities in which we invest, we should expect that the valuation multiples applied to growth equities should stabilise in conjunction with the peak in interest rates/yields. This would remove a significant structural headwind from returns.

Indeed, the final quarter of 2023 delivered strong performance for investors, with positive returns across most major asset classes as a number of softer inflation prints in the US, Europe and UK eased investor worry regarding the length of time that interest rates would remain at elevated levels.

We are confident about the outlook for our sustainable investment strategies and believe they will build on their long-term positive track record as we back those businesses which are growing profitability while delivering solutions to critical environmental and social problems.

Those businesses which are providing these solutions will potentially access vast growth opportunities. In many cases, the speed and scale of this growth is likely to be underestimated in the valuation of their shares.

This is where the opportunity lies – finding great companies and helping to solve challenges we face as a society and world, whose prospects are undervalued by the market.

In terms of top performers over the quarter, British energy infrastructure company Smart Metering Systems (SMS) was among the notable contributors over the quarter after it recommended a cash takeover offer from US private equity group KKR in December. Held under our Improving the efficiency of energy use theme, SMS is involved in installing smart meters that help improve the management of the grid by automatically updating usage data, providing live information on electricity use as well as providing additional (online) ways for customers on pre-pay to credit their account. These meters pave the way to enable demand-side management and potentially half hour pricing.

Long term holding 3i Group maintained its strong performance following a resilient half year results release in November. The private equity company, exposed to our Increasing financial resilience theme, achieved a 10%, or £1.67 billion, return on opening shareholders’ funds during a challenging economic and geopolitical environment. The company noted continued strong performance from discount retailer Action, as well as a number of holdings within the value for money, private label and healthcare space.

Specialist lender Paragon Banking Group was among the top contributors, performing strongly in December following the release of its annual results. Held under our Building better cities theme, Paragon provides finance for professional landlords and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), with a long history of low impairments and high service levels. Its lending helps to support the sizeable private rental market and the development of new houses. The company noted a stronger-than-expected 25% increase in annual profits, while also announcing another £50 million share buyback.

Turning to the Fund detractors, Oxford Biomedica fell over the quarter despite rallying in December after the release of an encouraging business update. The company has seen continued customer destocking after Covid-19 supply chain disruptions induced many customers to over order and build up very large inventories. As Covid has diminished and supply chains have normalised, companies are now running down these inventories back to normal levels, while also facing lower demand.

FD Technologies, a leading provider of products and consulting services to some of the world's largest finance, technology and energy institutions, fell heavily after interim results flagged some spending caution from its customers, which led the company to reduce its growth expectations for 2023. While it still expects to deliver 10% - 15% annual sales growth on average through the business cycle, FD says short-term market conditions are challenging. 

In terms of portfolio activity, we initiated a position in pest control company Rentokil Initial, under our Enabling healthier lifestyles theme. Rentokil helps to keep our urban environment clean and healthy by preventing pest infestations in businesses and homes and providing hygiene services.

Pest control companies help to protect human health and property from damage from pests such as mosquitoes, termites and vermin. The number and size of cities drives the demand for pest control because they provide ideal environments for breeding (warmer and lack of predators).

We also bought Spectris, the seller of high-tech instruments and related  services that improve the performance of the life sciences, automotive, and industrial sectors, under our Better monitoring of supply chains and quality control theme. Through measurement and analysis their clients can analyse and understand how to increase the effectiveness of medicines, develop longer range batteries, test new electric car designs and even electric planes.

We also sold our position in life sciences company ABCAM after an acquisition bid at a 40% premium to the share price from Danaher Inc.

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

* Source: FE Analytics, as at 31.12.23, total return, net of fees and income reinvested

** Source: FE Analytics, as at 31.12.23, primary share class, total return, net of fees and income reinvested