Portfolio manager comments — Q4 2025
The fund delivered positive performance during the quarter, rising by 8.5% in SEK, in line with the benchmark index*. October and November were characterized by a favorable market environment within the sector, while December was weaker but broadly in line with the overall market.
October was marked by a strong reporting season for the fund’s holdings within medical technology and biotechnology. Several companies exceeded market expectations and simultaneously presented positive clinical data. Among the strongest contributors were Thermo Fisher and Argenx, while UCB underperformed following lower than expected prescription data for Bimzelx. The fund’s focus on high quality companies within innovative drug development and medical technology was a key driver of performance.
In November, sentiment within the healthcare sector remained constructive. Strong quarterly reports and progress in drug development provided support, while political and regulatory developments affected individual stocks.
UnitedHealth outperformed the sector despite short term impact from political statements regarding healthcare reforms in the US. AstraZeneca also contributed positively, supported by strong third quarter results and continued progress within the company’s oncology portfolio. The diagnostics company Natera performed strongly following high sales growth and an upgraded full year outlook, strengthening market confidence in the company’s long term potential. On the negative side, Boston Scientific and Thermo Fisher underperformed.
Healthcare stocks weakened again in December, but broadly in line with the market. Among the strongest positive contributors were Krystal Biotech and the fund’s largest holding, Eli Lilly, partly driven by encouraging clinical data for the company’s oral obesity drug candidate orforglipron.
Cencora had a negative impact following more cautious guidance for 2026, despite a strategic acquisition within oncology pharmaceuticals. The stock has, however, contributed positively over the year as a whole, and the share price development is assessed to largely reflect profit taking ahead of 2026.
Political statements from Trump regarding demands for price reductions from large pharmaceutical companies were met by a number of agreements. The impact on the sector proved less negative than initially feared. The healthcare sector continues to trade at a discount to historical levels, providing conditions for relatively favorable performance in 2026.
Additional positive contributors during the quarter included Nurix Therapeutics, which initiated the pivotal Phase 2 DAYBreak study with the drug candidate bexobrutideg. Previous positive clinical data contributed to strengthened investor confidence.
On the negative side was Innovent Biologics, whose share price underperformed despite seven of the company’s drugs being included on China’s list of state subsidized products. The weakness is primarily assessed to be driven by technical factors related to the company’s inclusion in the Hang Seng Index.
* Solactive ISS ESG DM Health Care UCITS Index NTR