The Fund’s A3 share class returned 8.3%* in euro terms in July. This Fund’s target benchmark, the MSCI Europe Small Cap Index, returned 9.8%.
Although it seems increasingly likely that current supply-side shocks will see many economies flirt with recession in the near future, an equity market bounce in July suggests that much of these economic fears were already priced in.
Eurozone GDP growth hit 0.7% in Q2, much stronger than the 0.1% economist consensus due to a bigger than anticipated boost from tourism. But Eurostat forecasts 2023 growth will fall to 1.2% from 2.7% in 2022, while several economists think it will enter recession at the turn of the year.
In July, the European Central Bank belatedly joined other central banks in implementing its rate tightening cycle. Ahead of the decision, there had been some speculation over whether the bank would raise rates by 25 basis points (bps) or opt for a 50 basis point hike. It chose the latter, following the US Federal Reserve and Bank of England’s lead in pursuing an aggressive pace of increases.
As European markets rebounded from heavy year-to-date losses, it was cyclical sectors that lead the way. IT (+16%), industrials (+14%) real estate (+13%) and consumer discretionary (+12%) posted the highest returns in the MSCI Europe Index.
Financials (+3.7%) would typically be expected to participate in cyclical strength, but its July performance was hindered by the impact of a new Spanish windfall tax announced during the month. The Spanish prime minister declared a two-year windfall tax on financial institutions and energy firms to raise about €3.5bn a year to help combat the cost-of-living crisis. Stocks such as Banco Santander and Caixabank fell on the news. Bankinter (-19%) is the only Fund holding affected.
Promotional merchandise supplier 4imprint Group (+41%) jumped on a very positive trading update. It commented that strong trading momentum has continued since its May update, with total order counts at the half year stage 14% ahead of the 2019 pre-pandemic level. Average order values were also 14% higher, meaning that overall revenue is running 30% ahead of the 2019 comparable. 4imprint is confident that it will meet or exceed its $1bn revenue target for 2022, while it now expects to materially exceed the consensus operating profit forecast, committing to achieving at least $75m.
Atoss Software (+27%) didn‘t upgrade its 2022 forecasts in a interim trading statment, but the update was sufficiently upbeat to push it towards the top of a bouyant European IT secor in July. Revenues rose 17% to €54m while operating profit margins were maintained at 26%. The workforce management software provider reaffirmed its 2022 targets of €110m in revenue and a 25% margin.
Positive contributors to performance included:
4imprint Group (+41%), Atoss Software (+27%) and Pandora (+20%).
Negative contributors to performance included:
Bankinter (-19%), Bank of Ireland (-7.5%) and Freenet (-2.9%).
Discrete years' performance** (%), to previous quarter-end:
Past performance does not predict future returns.
|
Jun-22 |
Jun-21 |
Jun-20 |
Jun-19 |
Jun-18 |
|
|
Liontrust GF European Smaller Companies A3 Acc EUR |
-9.9% |
59.6% |
-10.7% |
-2.4% |
2.3% |
|
MSCI Europe Small Cap |
-17.7% |
43.1% |
-4.1% |
-4.4% |
9.8% |
*Source: Financial Express, as at 31.07.22, total return (net of fees and income reinvested).
**Source: Financial Express, as at 30.06.22, total return (net of fees and income reinvested). Discrete data is not available for ten full 12-month periods due to the launch date of the portfolio (01.02.17). Investment decisions should not be based on short-term performance.
A Performance Fee for each Performance Period shall be equal to 10% of the amount, if any, by which the Net Asset Value before Performance Fee accrual of the Fund exceeds the Indexed Net Asset Value of the Fund on the last Business Day of the Performance Period. The Performance Period of the Fund is every 12 months ending on the last business day of each calendar year. Details of the Fund's performance fee in the last financial year can be found in the Key Investor Information Document (KIID) which can be obtained free of charge from the Liontrust website.
Key Features of the Liontrust GF European Smaller Companies Fund
KEY RISKS
Past performance is not a guide to future performance. The value of an investment and the income generated from it can fall as well as rise and is not guaranteed. You may get back less than you originally invested.
The issue of units/shares in Liontrust Funds may be subject to an initial charge, which will have an impact on the realisable value of the investment, particularly in the short term. Investments should always be considered as long term.
Investment in Funds managed by the Cashflow Solution team involves foreign currencies and may be subject to fluctuations in value due to movements in exchange rates. Some of the Funds may invest in derivatives. The use of derivatives may create leverage or gearing. A relatively small movement in the value of a derivative's underlying investment may have a larger impact, positive or negative, on the value of a fund than if the underlying investment was held instead. Some of the funds may hold a concentrated portfolio of stocks. If the price of one of these stocks should move significantly, this may have a notable effect on the value of the respective portfolio.
DISCLAIMER
This is a marketing communication. Before making an investment, you should read the relevant Prospectus and the Key Investor Information Document (KIID), which provide full product details including investment charges and risks. These documents can be obtained, free of charge, from www.liontrust.co.uk or direct from Liontrust. Always research your own investments. If you are not a professional investor please consult a regulated financial adviser regarding the suitability of such an investment for you and your personal circumstances.
This should not be construed as advice for investment in any product or security mentioned, an offer to buy or sell units/shares of Funds mentioned, or a solicitation to purchase securities in any company or investment product. Examples of stocks are provided for general information only to demonstrate our investment philosophy. The investment being promoted is for units in a fund, not directly in the underlying assets. It contains information and analysis that is believed to be accurate at the time of publication, but is subject to change without notice. Whilst care has been taken in compiling the content of this document, no representation or warranty, express or implied, is made by Liontrust as to its accuracy or completeness, including for external sources (which may have been used) which have not been verified. It should not be copied, forwarded, reproduced, divulged or otherwise distributed in any form whether by way of fax, email, oral or otherwise, in whole or in part without the express and prior written consent of Liontrust.
