The Fund’s A3 share class returned 2.7%* in euro terms in July. This Fund’s target benchmark, the MSCI Europe Small Cap Index, returned 3.4%.
Global equity markets rallied in July, helped by expectations that a peak in monetary policy may finally be close. The big development in this regard was consumer price inflation data in the US which came in below expectations, raising hopes that this month’s 25 basis point rise to a 5.25% - 5.50% range from the US Federal Reserve could be the last of this cycle.
While the Fed had previously paused its rate hike schedule in June and commented that future increases would be data dependent, the European Central Bank was slower to start its tightening cycle and has stayed relatively hawkish in its rhetoric until recently. As widely expected, the ECB raised rates by 0.25% to 3.75% in July, a level not reached since 2001. ECB president Christine Lagarde said that the bank is now keeping an open mind on the future direction of hikes, with the possibility of a hike or a pause in September. Markets are, however, betting that the peak in the European cycle has already been reached.
As sentiment picked up, the real estate sector led the MSCI Europe index’s gain, posting an 11% rise, followed by materials (+5.1%), finance (+4.3%) and energy (+3.8%).
In a reversal of the year-to-date trend, technology was weak, losing 0.9%, while utilities (-0.4%) also lost a small amount of ground. So far this year, the technology sector has gained 25% in euro terms, the largest rise in the index.
Within the Fund glass packaging manufacturer Verallia’s (+17%) shares moved higher on first-half results showing very strong growth and including an upgrade to guidance. Revenue growth of 31% to €2.1bn was entirely the result of an inflationary environment, as sales volumes declined slightly. Around a third of earnings over the period was attributable to Verallia increasing sales prices at a faster pace than production costs. Overall, adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation) rose by more than 50% to €659m. The company reiterated its 2023 full-year revenue growth target of over 20% and increased its EBITDA guidance to €1.1bn - €1.25bn, up from €1.0bn previously.
Gaming group Betsson (+13%) moved higher on a quarterly trading update which refined revenue forecasts to €235.5m - €237.5m and lifted operating profit guidance to around €53.5m - €55.0m, representing growth of about 90% year-on-year. The company commented that the quarter has seen high customer activity in both casino and sports betting.
Although it maintained its 2023 guidance of 5% organic growth and 13% operating margin, Ipsos (-9.1%) shares lost ground after the release of interim results. The French market research company recorded -1.1% organic growth in the first half of the year, with operating margin of 8.7%. Although investors weren’t convinced, Ipsos’s confidence in full-year forecasts stems from the belief that this year will see a strong second-half weighting to trading. To justify this, Ipsos points towards a larger than normal lag between order intake and sales. The order book grew by 2.6% in organic terms over the period, and Ipsos expects this to feed through to sales growth in the second half of the year.
Shares in 4imprint Group (-7.4%) have performed very well over the last year, outperforming the MSCI Europe Index by almost 90% in euro terms through to the end of June. They gave back a small amount of ground in July ahead of the release of a very strong trading update on 1 August which spurred further gains.
Positive contributors to performance included:
Verallia (+17%), Bper Banca (+13%) and Betsson (+13%).
Negative contributors to performance included:
Ipsos (-9.1%), 4imprint Group (-7.4%) and Playtech (-4.8%).
Discrete years' performance** (%), to previous quarter-end:
Past performance does not predict future returns
|
|
Jun-23 |
Jun-22 |
Jun-21 |
Jun-20 |
Jun-19 |
|
Liontrust GF European Smaller Companies |
9.0% |
-9.9% |
59.6% |
-10.7% |
-2.4% |
|
MSCI Europe Small Cap |
6.7% |
-17.7% |
43.1% |
-4.1% |
-4.4% |
|
|
Jun-18 |
|
Liontrust GF European Smaller Companies A3 Acc EUR |
2.3% |
|
MSCI Europe Small Cap |
9.8% |
*Source: Financial Express, as at 31.07.23, total return (net of fees and income reinvested).
**Source: Financial Express, as at 30.06.23, 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.
