Portfolio manager comments — Q3 2024
Fund performance was positive and the fund rose 2.8% in SEK during Q3, primarily due to the strong performance of several of the fund’s holdings within the consumer and manufacturing sectors. The holding in Essity contributed positively after the company reported a strong result with higher margins than expected. Kesko also contributed positively as the reported sales figures are beginning to stabilize and should benefit from the start of rate cuts by the ECB going forward. Vaisala, which is a leader within advanced measuring systems, also contributed positively after a strong report in which revenues, margins and new orders exceeded expectations. Kone contributed strongly, driven by the massive stimulus announced in China and expectations of higher construction investments. Fund returns were weighed down primarily by the holding in Novo Nordisk. The company’s report for Q2 was weaker than expected as the company’s newly launched obesity drug, Wegovy, did not show the rapid growth expected by the market. Supply constraints remain a challenge for Novo Nordisk, although manufacturing capacity is being gradually increased. However, the fund had a slight underweight in Novo Nordisk. The holding in Hexagon was weighed down by weak end markets within construction and automotive.
The fund increased the holdings in Volvo AB as well as in banks during the quarter. Sampo was a new holding within insurance that replaced Topdanmark, given that Sampo concluded its takeover offer for Topdanmark. We decreased the position in AstraZeneca after strong share price performance and the smaller holding in Tomra was sold after a capital market day with slightly lower yield requirements on new investments. For the upcoming reporting period we will continue to focus on investee companies that have sustainable business models and competitive offers with sustainable growth even in a weaker economy.