Portfolio manager comments — Q3 2025
The American stock market had a strong quarter, driven by the continued positive development within the theme of artificial intelligence (AI) and digitalization. Investments in artificial intelligence infrastructure continued to dominate the news flow. The market also increasingly began to take into account the risk of disruption faced by existing business models, considering what new AI models could achieve. This became particularly evident among several software companies in the technology and financial sectors. In addition, the U.S. central bank delivered an interest rate cut in September, which generally benefits smaller companies that tend to be more sensitive to interest rate changes than larger ones. The American economy still shows no clear signs of recession, which has supported the positive market development.
The fund’s performance benefited from several companies exposed to the expansion of AI infrastructure, such as Comfort Systems, NVent, and Everus Construction. The return, however, was negatively affected by holdings in CBIZ, Palomar, and Q2 Holdings, as well as several software companies. During the quarter, Core & Main presented weak future prospects in connection with its quarterly report, which led to a decline in the share price.
Among new holdings during the quarter are companies that enable digitalization, such as Astera Labs and MKS Instruments. The fund sold its holdings in, among others, Graphic Packaging, FTI Consulting, and Brown & Brown. CyberArk received an acquisition offer from Palo Alto Networks during the quarter and was subsequently sold.
The fund continues to invest in high-quality companies with exposure to structurally strong themes such as re-shoring, electrification, and digitalization.