Liontrust UK Focus Fund

The Liontrust UK Focus Fund returned -3.1% over the quarter, versus the 4.5% return from its comparator benchmark, the FTSE All Share Index, and the 0.2% average return from the Investment Association UK All Companies sector, also a comparator benchmark.*

The UK market increased in the quarter, driven by strong performance from the banks, such as HSBC and Lloyds, as interest rates were expected to remain higher for longer, and defence stocks, such as BAE systems, due to a potential surge in defence spending from European countries. However, the domestic economic outlook remains challenging with continued consumer and business uncertainty post the budget. The return of a Trump presidency has added to this uncertainty. This has led to UK consumer exposed stocks, such as Greggs, Dunelm and Whitbread, underperforming.

From a sector perspective, an underweight exposure to basic materials and an overweight in industrials contributed the most positively to performance. An overweight exposure to consumer discretionary and an underweight in financials had the most significant negative impact on relative performance.

Positive stock attribution

The most significant positive contributor to relative performance was not holding Diageo, the multinational beverages company. Diageo had weak half-year results where their medium-term guidance was removed.

An underweight position in Glencore, the global mining company, was the second leading contributor to the fund’s returns. Glencore provided a disappointing copper production guidance at its full-year results.

Negative stock attribution

The most significant detractor from relative performance was an overweight position in Greggs, the leading UK food-to-go retailer. Greggs reported a slowdown in sales growth in its the full-year results as the business is impacted by a tougher consumer backdrop in the UK and continues to make investments for future growth, which will weigh on near-term margin progression.

An overweight in Rentokil, the pest control company, was the second biggest detractor from performance. Rentokil is in the midst of integrating its largest acquisition to date – Terminix – which has proven to be a complex task. The most recent results showed continued weak sales momentum in North America, but they have adopted a new branch strategy following pilots which should improve performance within North America.

Trading activity

We initiated a new position in MONY Group and Unilever and increased our position in National Grid in the quarter.

MONY Group is one of the leading price-comparison companies. It is a highly cash-generative business, with a large proportion returned to shareholders, and trades at an attractive valuation. The management team is evolving the business model to reduce its reliance on marketing spend for customer acquisition and to keep customers in the ecosystem, which should boost profitability.

Unilever is one of the world’s largest consumer goods companies, boasting a portfolio of strong brands in attractive markets. The company has been undergoing a transformation to become a simpler, more focused and more efficient company. With a highly regarded new CEO at the helm, Unilever is well positioned to deliver strong performance in the years ahead.

National Grid is a leading US and UK regulated utility, playing a critical role in the global energy transition. The company is exposed to the strong structural growth tailwind of electrification as a result of global moves to decarbonise, providing medium-term earnings visibility. We initiated the position following National Grid strengthening its balance sheet through a rights issue and a dividend cut, leaving it better equipped to capitalise on these trends over the medium term.

We exited our position in Fevertree on lowered relative conviction and trimmed positions in 3i and Relx on valuation.

Outlook

The re-election of Donald Trump has increased economic uncertainty. The ‘Liberation’ day tariff announcement proved more severe than the markets had anticipated, triggering sharp selloffs across global equity markets. Tariffs are expected to increase the cost of doing business for companies and will weigh on consumer and corporate confidence. Closer to home, the UK faces its own set of challenges alongside these announcements. The increase in employer National Insurance rates following Labour’s budget will be a direct cost headwind for UK businesses, especially those with high domestic exposure and labour-intensive models. We are assessing the extent to which companies can offset these cost headwinds through efficiency gains and pricing power. Our focus remains on constructing a well-balanced, and diversified portfolio of advantaged businesses. Our confidence in the medium-term outlook for the portfolio comes from the excellent strategic, operational, and financial progress that the vast majority of the companies in the portfolio have made (and continue to make) over the last couple of years. Shorter-term risks remain high across markets.

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

*Source: Financial Express, as at 31.03.25, primary share class, total return, net of fees and income reinvested. 

KEY RISKS

Past performance does not predict future returns. You may get back less than you originally invested.

We recommend this fund is held long term (minimum period of 5 years). We recommend that you hold this fund as part of a diversified portfolio of investments.

■ 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.
■ This Fund may have a concentrated portfolio, i.e. hold a limited number of investments. If one of these investments falls in value this can have a greater impact on the Fund's value than if it held a larger number of investments.
■ The Fund may invest in emerging markets which carries a higher risk than investment in more developed countries. This may result in higher volatility and larger drops in the value of the fund over the short term.
■ 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.
■ Outside of normal conditions, the Fund may hold higher levels of cash which may be deposited with several credit counterparties (e.g. international banks). A credit risk arises should one or more of these counterparties be unable to return the deposited cash.
■ Counterparty Risk: any derivative contract, including FX hedging, may be at risk if the counterparty fails.

The risks detailed above are reflective of the full range of Funds managed by the Multi-Asset Team and not all of the risks listed are applicable to each individual Fund. For the risks associated with an individual Fund, please refer to its Key Investor Information Document (KIID)/PRIIP KID.

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.

DISCLAIMER

This material is issued by Liontrust Investment Partners LLP (2 Savoy Court, London WC2R 0EZ), authorised and regulated in the UK by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN 518552) to undertake regulated investment business.

It 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.

This information and analysis 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, no representation or warranty is given, whether express or implied, by Liontrust as to its accuracy or completeness, including for external sources (which may have been used) which have not been verified.

This is a marketing communication. Before making an investment, you should read the relevant Prospectus and the Key Investor Information Document (KIID) and/or PRIIP/KID, 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. 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.