The Fund’s A4 share class returned 1.9%* in euro terms in March. The Fund’s comparator benchmarks, the MSCI Europe Index and HFRX Equity Hedge EUR Index, returned 3.9% and 1.2% respectively.
European markets participated in the global equity rally in March, as investors became more confident that the central banks’ policy tightening efforts have successfully walked the fine line between bringing inflation down and allowing the economy to maintain some momentum.
As widely expected, the US Federal Reserve held interest rates steady for the fifth consecutive meeting, but investor sentiment was boosted by forecasts for cuts later in the year despite mounting evidence of economic resilience. The central bank upgraded its forecast for 2024 US GDP growth from 1.4% to 2.1%. In Europe, we saw the first rate cut in this monetary cycle from a developed world central bank as the Swiss National Bank reduced its benchmark rate from 1.75% to 1.5%.
The overall trend in Q1 was, however, towards an expectation of fewer rate cuts in the remainder of 2024. Looking at the eurozone for example, markets started 2024 expecting between six and seven quarter-point cuts this year but by the end of March price in only three to four cuts. This modest revival of the “higher-for-longer” theme that dominated for periods of 2023 provided a tailwind to the banking sector, which typically earnings larger net interest margins when benchmark rates are higher. In March, the European market rise was led by real estate (+9.4%) and finance (+7.9%), while consumer staples (+1.1%) and IT (+1.1%) were laggards.
Relative to the index, the Fund’s participation in March’s rally was restricted back by its 85% net market exposure and some negative attribution in the short book as markets experienced broad-based strength, more than offsetting a positive stock selection effect on the long side.
The Fund’s long book exposure to banks – overweight versus the MSCI Index – contributed positively to returns as Banco Santander (+18%), Caixabank (+15%) and Unicredit (+14%) all rose.
Banco Santander (+18%) issued an AGM statement that confirmed it is on track for its 2024 financial targets, describing “excellent business and commercial dynamics”. Its Q1 income is set to grow 9% year-on-year following the addition of 2 million customers, while costs have been kept flat for the third consecutive quarter.
Among the long-book’s detractors, Jeronimo Martins (-17%) was the heaviest faller. The Portuguese food distribution and grocery retailer had already notified the market of a deceleration in sales to 5.1% like-for-like in Q4, down from 12.8% for 2023 as a whole. Some of this resulted from food price deflation through the year, but there is also evidence that profit margins are coming under pressure. Full-year results released in March included forecasts of further food price deflation in 2024 combined with higher operating costs from salaries and rents. In Jeronimo’s main market of Poland, consumer price sensitivity is particularly high, which is likely to lead to a competitive environment this year.
Fortnox (-10%), the Swedish provider of internet-based business applications, performed strongly in February after releasing consensus-beating Q4 results. Some of these gains were given back in March as a prominent financial press article raised question marks over the manner in which Fortnox defines its addressable market and the level of transparency of its accounts.
The short book’s most costly positions included a Swiss supplier of machinery and systems used in the textiles industry whose 2023 results were better than expected. Although the company has seen falling revenues and shrinking order intake, its profitability improved significantly due partly to lower logistics and proception costs.
Discrete years' performance (%) to previous quarter-end**:
|
|
Mar-24 |
Mar-23 |
Mar-22 |
Mar-21 |
Mar-20 |
|
Liontrust GF European Strategic Equity A4 Acc EUR |
15.4% |
7.6% |
28.9% |
28.2% |
-13.9% |
|
MSCI Europe |
14.8% |
3.8% |
9.3% |
35.3% |
-13.5% |
|
HFRX Equity Hedge EUR |
7.7% |
-4.6% |
7.9% |
22.3% |
-11.3% |
|
|
Mar-19 |
Mar-18 |
Mar-17 |
Mar-16 |
|
Liontrust GF European Strategic Equity A4 Acc EUR |
4.2% |
0.3% |
10.7% |
-1.1% |
|
MSCI Europe |
5.5% |
-0.4% |
16.9% |
-13.7% |
|
HFRX Equity Hedge EUR |
-7.8% |
5.8% |
4.0% |
-8.2% |
*Source: Financial Express, as at 31.03.24, total return (income reinvested and net of fees).
**Source: Financial Express, as at 31.03.24, 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. 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.
