Portfolio manager comments — Q3 2025
Global equity markets performed strongly during the third quarter, supported by positive earnings reports, a stable macroeconomic environment, and increased inflows of risk‑seeking capital. Following the Federal Reserve’s meeting in Jackson Hole, market expectations for additional and larger interest rate cuts strengthened, further boosting risk appetite. During August and September, share price momentum accelerated in many stocks that had already posted strong gains earlier in the year – particularly within areas such as artificial intelligence, nuclear energy, quantum technology, and cryptocurrencies. The renewed outlook for lower interest rates also benefited higher‑risk segments such as unprofitable technology and biotechnology, as well as cyclical sectors including construction and cement.
These market trends proved unfavorable for the fund’s relative performance, which failed to match its benchmark index. The fund does not invest in companies at the highest end of the risk spectrum, and several of its stable, high‑quality holdings were sold off despite delivering strong earnings reports. For example, the narrative around AI’s impact on the software industry adversely affected parts of the portfolio. The largest detractors from performance were Tradeweb, Synopsys, Jack Henry, Tyler Technologies, and SAP.
The strongest positive contributions came from the electrification theme, linked to significant investments in data center expansion. Holdings such as Prysmian, Nextracker, Accelleron, Quanta Services, and ABB all performed well. The fund’s exposure to the largest U.S. technology companies – Alphabet, Apple, Nvidia, and Broadcom – also contributed positively.
During the quarter, the fund exited its positions in Brown & Brown, Synopsys, and Sprout Farmers Market. New positions include Thermo Fisher (a U.S. medical technology company), JP Morgan (a global bank with a strong market position), Arista Networks (networking solutions for data centers and cloud services), and Tencent (a leading IT company in China).