Portfolio manager comments — Q1 2025
Fund performance was negative during the quarter in a market where even the Nordic markets yielded negative returns. However, the market began the year on a strong note but weakened in March, driven by concerns about a weaker economy due to an increase in protectionism worldwide and in particular from the US.
Novo Nordisk, which has previously been a driving force, continued its weak performance from Q4 and fell 27% in the period. At the same time, banks and companies with European exposure posted strength.
The strongest individual contributors were Nordea, DnB, AFRY, Volvo, Swedbank, Storytel, Norbit, Boliden, Asker Healthcare, Europris, KONE, Securitas and Skanska. The companies with the strongest negative impact included equities such as Novo Nordisk, DSV, ABB, Zealand and Pandora.
Larger new holdings included Nokia, the Danish allergy vaccine company ALK-Abello, and the Finnish companies Kesko and YIT. The fund also participated in the IPO of Asker Healthcare.
We have seen a shift in the market where previous driving forces such as semiconductors and obesity drugs are no longer leading the trend. Even though the fundamentals remain strong, the positive element of surprise seems to have slowed down.
We expect the market to continue to broaden but increasing external risks have led us to reduce the US exposure and instead increase our Nordic exposure within existing portfolio holdings.