The Fund’s A3 share class returned -1.7%* in euro terms in July. This Fund’s target benchmark, the MSCI Europe Small Cap Index, returned -2.9%.
Global markets fell at the start of the month after the credit rating agency Fitch downgraded the US government’s credit rating from AAA to AA+, citing unsustainable debt and increased political dysfunction. Elsewhere, renewed stress in the Chinese property market and underwhelming macroeconomic data out of China triggered an increase in market volatility.
The Bank of England raised interest rates 0.25 percentage points to 5.25 per cent and warned borrowing costs are likely to remain elevated despite slowing inflation. The Banks’ governor Andrew Bailey emphasised that interest rates would need to stay at high levels, stating that in order to get inflation back to target, the UK is going to have to keep its current stance on policy.
In terms of sector returns for the period, European market weakness was concentrated in consumer discretionary (-6.4%), materials (-4.1%), IT (-3.9%) and industrials (-3.6%). Energy (+3.3%) and healthcare (+0.8%) were the only two sectors of the MSCI Europe to record a gain in euro terms.
Shares in 4imprint Group (+16%) bounced back from a lacklustre showing in July to lead the top performers in August. The London-based direct marketer of promotional merchandise rose on the release of a trading update in which the company announced that profit before tax for the full year was expected to be materially above the consensus of analysts’ forecasts.
Glass packaging manufacturer Verallia (+9.4%) continued its momentum following last month’s strong first half results release and upgrade to guidance. 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.
Italian cement and concrete producer Buzzi (+6.9%) was another positive contributor, performing strongly on the release of its interim results. Despite a contraction in activity for the building sector, the company noted it had successfully raised selling prices to levels capable of fully offsetting higher costs of production. As a result of this strong showing in the first six months of the year, Buzzi increased full-year EBITDA guidance to €1.1bn -1.2bn .
Although Norwegian Air (-14%) reported strong growth in passenger demand for air travel and a significant ramp up of capacity into the busy summer travel season, the airline is struggling to contain wage and supply cost inflation and has abandoned a target to cut operational expenses per flight (ex fuel) this year.
BPER Banca (-14%) shares fell over the month after the Italian bank reported a decline in first-half net profit and said net interest income has passed its peak.
Positive contributors to performance included:
4imprint (+16%), Verallia (+9.4%) and Buzzi (+6.9%)
Negative contributors to performance included:
Wienerberger (-15%), BPER Banca (-14%), Norwegian Air (-14%)
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 A3 Acc EUR |
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.
Overseas investments may carry a higher currency risk. They are valued by reference to their local currency which may move up or down when compared to the currency of the Fund. This Fund may have a concentrated portfolio, i.e. hold a limited number of investments. If one of these investments falls in value this can have a greater impact on the Fund's value than if it held a larger number of investments. As the Fund is primarily exposed to smaller companies there may be liquidity constraints from time to time, i.e. in certain circumstances, the fund may not be able to sell a position for full value or at all in the short term. This may affect performance and could cause the fund to defer or suspend redemptions of its shares. In addition the spread between the price you buy and sell units will reflect the less liquid nature of the underlying holdings. Outside of normal conditions, the Fund may hold higher levels of cash which may be deposited with several credit counterparties (e.g. international banks). A credit risk arises should one or more of these counterparties be unable to return the deposited cash. Counterparty Risk: any derivative contract, including FX hedging, may be at risk if the counterparty fails.
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.
