Portfolio manager comments — September 2025Fokus experienced positive performance during September. Global equity markets were influenced by a combination of factors, with a strong focus on AI and the technology sector. The markets were primarily driven by high expectations for continued investments in AI and technological innovation, resulting in gains in the U.S. that spilled over globally. Announcements from Oracle and OpenAI further reinforced momentum with a historic $300 billion contract, under which OpenAI will utilize Oracle’s cloud infrastructure to operate and scale its AI models.
Alibaba was the largest positive contributor to the fund’s returns, having established itself as the leader in Chinese AI development and continuing to invest in generative AI and cloud services to strengthen its position within the Asian and global AI markets. Investments in ASML, SK Hynix, TSMC, Schneider Electric, and ABB, companies operating within AI, energy efficiency, and data centers, also contributed positively to the fund’s performance.
Despite the U.S. Federal Reserve preparing for rate cuts and some improvement in macroeconomic sentiment, the U.S. housing market remains weak. Increased uncertainty regarding future economic growth has kept many potential buyers cautious, resulting in low sales volumes and modest price increases. The weakest contributor to the fund’s returns was Core&Main, which has exposure to new residential construction. The company downgraded its forecasts, which shocked the market and had a significant negative impact on its share price.
On the rates front, short-term market rates declined following the Riksbank’s rate cut to 1.75%. Meanwhile, the Swedish 10-year government bond yield rose, resulting in a continued widening of the spread between short- and long-term rates. The U.S. Federal Reserve also lowered its rate to 4.25% and signaled further potential cuts ahead.