Portfolio manager comments — Q1 2025
Fund performance was negative during Q1 2025, which can be related to the decline in the US market as well as a weak USD.
TSMC had the most negative impact on returns, followed by the fund’s exposure to industrial companies such as Diploma, Core & Main, AIT and Schneider Electric. Several technology companies also posted weak performance during the period. However, the negative effect on the fund’s relative returns was fortunately mitigated by underweights in several of the companies with the weakest performance. Broadcom accounted for the largest price decline in the fund at over 30%, despite a strong quarterly report, new customer wins and record profitability.
On a positive note, the fund benefited from an overweight in financial companies, where several of the strong performers during the quarter could be found. These included Brown & Brown, which rose 11% and the new holding in Bajaj Finance, which increased by 7% despite volatility in the market.
The largest individual positive contribution was from the sale of JP Morgan, where the fund realized a profit before the equity followed the downturn in the market. Liquidity from the sale was reinvested in more defensive holdings, such as the Canadian food chain Metro and the pharmaceutical distributor McKesson in the US.
During the period the fund had a defensive positioning due to increased trade and geopolitical risks. The analysis has focused on companies that can sustain their operations even in a tougher economic climate. This resulted in an increase to stable, high-quality companies as well as an increased value exposure.