The Fund’s A3 share class returned 5.9%* in euro terms in January. This Fund’s target benchmark, the MSCI Europe Small Cap Index, returned 7.5%.
Global equity markets rallied at the start of 2023 on renewed hopes of a slowing or pivot in monetary policy tightening, although central bankers remained hawkish in their comments. ECB president Christine Lagarde, for example, stated that the bank would “stay the course“ with further rate rises until inflation was back towards its 2% target.
The World Bank’s latest Global Economic Prospects publication forecast 1.7% growth, down from its prediction of 3.0% six months earlier, with a broad-based downturn pushing the global economy close to recession. The IMF’s assessment was, however, more upbeat – predicting 3.2% growth in 2023, up from its 2.7% forecast in October. It cited China’s abandonment of its zero Covid policy as one reason for more optimism regarding this year’s growth prospects .
There was a distinct cyclical pattern to the European market’s sector returns in January, with consumer discretionary (+15%), IT (+14%), real estate (+13%) and finance (+10.6%) all rising in euro terms. Healthcare (0%), consumer staples (+2.1%) and utilities (+3.0%) lagged.
The Fund’s top risers also had a cyclical theme. Its retail stocks rose strongly, including Danish jeweller Pandora (+15%) and German mobile phone store Mobilezone (+7.1%). WH Smith’s (+8.7%) gain was helped by a trading statement detailing 41% year-on-year growth in the 20 weeks to 14 January – also up 20% on the pre-Covid 19 financial year. Sales in its Travel division were up 77% year-on-year, and on a like-for-like basis were 1% ahead of 2019 levels despite passenger numbers being down.
Other positive contributors included Deutsche Pfandbriefbank (+15), Bank of Ireland (+10%) and Man Group (+17%) in financials, and online property listing portal Rightmove (+15%).
A trading update from ATOSS Software (+17%) reported on strong 2022 growth and raised its guidance for 2023 to 2025. The German workforce management software provider grew revenue by 17% to €114m, with operating margin of 27% - ahead of the 25% expected. It has now raised its sales forecast for 2023 from €125m to €135m, for 2024 from €145m to €160m, and for 2025 from €170m to €190m.
Promotional merchandise marketer 4imprint Group (+7.7%) issued the latest in a series of positive updates, announcing that it had enjoyed a “particularly strong” finish to the year. Revenue for 2022 rose around 45% to $1.4bn, with profit before tax now expected to be above the upper end of analysts’ forecast range at more than $100m.
Although Spirent Communications (-15%) stated that 2022 results should be in-line with consensus expectations, it commented that a weak economic backdrop has led to some customers delaying investment decisions. A soft outlook for order demand in the first half of the year will lead to an heavier than usual weighting towards the second half of 2023, if Spirent is to achieve its targets. The company provides automated test and assurance services for communication networks.
Portuguese pulp and paper producer The Navigator Company (-7.0%) fell after a sell-side broker cut its rating on the stock.
Positive contributors to performance included:
Pandora (+16%), Bank of Ireland (+10%) and Rexel (+9.9%).
Negative contributors to performance included:
Spirent Communications (-15%), The Navigator Company (-7.0%) and Serco Group (-5.6%).
Discrete years' performance** (%), to previous quarter-end:
Past performance does not predict future returns
|
Dec-22 |
Dec-21 |
Dec-20 |
Dec-19 |
Dec-18 |
|
|
Liontrust GF European Smaller |
-17.3% |
33.7% |
7.4% |
35.8% |
-19.9% |
|
MSCI Europe Small Cap |
-22.5% |
23.8% |
4.6% |
31.4% |
-15.9% |
*Source: Financial Express, as at 30.01.22, total return (net of fees and income reinvested).
**Source: Financial Express, as at 31.12.22, 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.
The portfolio is invested in smaller companies - these stocks may be less liquid and the price swings greater than those in, for example, larger companies. Investment in the Fund involves a foreign currency and may be subject to fluctuations in value due to movements in exchange rates.
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.
