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- Global equity markets lifted by speculation of looser US monetary policy
- Novartis rallies on positive trials results, with Balfour Beatty also a key contributor.
- Pandora shares fall on deceleration in Q2 jewellery sales; French holdings weaken on political uncertainty
The Fund’s A5 share class returned 0.0%* in euro terms in August. This Fund’s target benchmark, the MSCI Europe Index, returned 1.2%.
Global equity markets were buoyed by the prospect of US interest rate cuts as macroeconomic data pointed to some slowing in the labour market, while inflation rates are yet to show much impact from the imposition of Trump’s trade tariffs. At the same time, the US president’s move to challenge US Federal Reserve independence – putting pressure on Jay Powell to cut rates and attempting to sack governor Cook – fuelled further speculation around looser monetary policy.
The rise in the European market (MSCI Europe +1.2% in euro terms) was achieved despite a -0.9% return from France’s CAC40. The market fell towards the end of the month as French prime minister Francois Bayrou announced an unexpected confidence vote for September. Large caps led the rise in European markets, up 1.2% compared to the -0.7% performance of small caps.
Within the MSCI Europe Index, healthcare (+4.1%) was the strongest sector in euro terms, with consumer staples (+3.2%) and energy (+2.9%) also among the biggest risers. The weakest areas were IT (-1.9%), utilities (-1.7%) and industrials (-1.6%).
The Fund had exposure to the healthcare sector strength through Swiss pharma group Novartis (+6.7%). It was boosted by news of positive results from its Phase III trials for its ianalumab treatment. In adults with Sjogren’s disease – a progressive autoimmune disease – the trials met the primary endpoint of showing a statistical improvement in disease activity. It is hoped that successful development of the drug will allow treatment of other autoimmune diseases such as lupus, creating a potential blockbuster treatment for Novartis.
UK infrastructure group Balfour Beatty (+9.1%) reported a 7% increase in profits from operations from earnings-based businesses in the first half of 2025, as strong UK construction and support services offset a weaker performance from US construction. The company cited recent UK government commitments to major infrastructure projects as providing an opportunity to further enhance its order book which already stands at £19.5 billion.
Banco Santander (+8.3%) released half-year results on the penultimate day of July. Although revenues were flat at 31 billion euros, the bank trimmed operating expenses by 0.4% - allowing attributable profit to rise 15% year-on-year to 6.8 billion euros. The bank also announced a new share buyback programme of 1.7 billion euros, paying out 25% of its income as part of its commitment to return 10 billion euros to shareholders via buybacks in 2025 and 2026.
Although Pandora (-19%) maintained its 2025 guidance of 7-8% organic growth and operating profit margins of around 24%, Q2 sales trends were soft enough to raise some concerns among investors. A quarterly trading update showed margins contracting to 19.4%, after a 230 basis point headwind from adverse moves in currency and commodity prices as well as the impact of tariffs. While quarterly organic growth was 8%, including 3% like-for-like and 5% store network expansion, this included a sales growth slowdown to 2% in July following a weak end of season sale.
Positive contributors to performance included:
Balfour Beatty (+9.1%), Banco Santander (+8.3%) and Novartis (+6.7%).
Negative contributors to performance included:
Pandora (-19%), Rightmove (-9.4%), Belimo (-8.3%).
Discrete years' performance (%) to previous quarter-end**:
| Jun-25 |
Liontrust GF Pan-European Dynamic Fund A5 | 10.0% |
MSCI Europe | 8.1% |
*Source: Financial Express, as at 30.08.25, total return (net of fees and income reinvested), A5 class.
**Source: Financial Express, as at 30.06.25, total return (net of fees and income reinvested), bid-to-bid, A5 class. Discrete data is not available for ten full 12-month periods due to the launch date of the portfolio (27.02.24). Investment decisions should not be based on short-term performance.
Key Features of the Liontrust GF Pan-European Dynamic Fund
The investment objective of the Fund is to achieve capital growth over the long-term by predominantly investing in a portfolio of European equities. The Investment Adviser will seek to achieve the investment objective of the Fund through investment of at least 80% of the Fund’s Net Asset Value in companies which are incorporated, domiciled, listed or conduct significant business in Europe (the EEA, Switzerland and the UK). The Fund will not be restricted in its choice of investment by either size or sector.
The Fund is considered to be actively managed in reference to MSCI Europe Index (the “Benchmark”) by virtue of the fact that it uses the Benchmark for performance comparison purposes and for certain Performance Fee Share Classes, to calculate performance fees. The Benchmark is not used to define the portfolio composition of the Fund and the Fund may be wholly invested in securities which are not constituents of the Benchmarks.
The Fund is not expected to have any exposure to financial derivative instruments in normal circumstances, but the Investment Adviser may on occasion, where it deems it appropriate in seeking to achieve the investment objective of the Fund, use financial derivative instruments listed on a recognised exchange or traded on an organised market or financial derivative instruments traded over-the-counter for investment purposes, efficient portfolio management, and hedging purposes.
In addition, the Fund may invest in exchange traded funds and other eligible open-ended collective investment schemes. No more than 10% of the net assets of the Fund will be invested in aggregate in open-ended collective investment schemes. The Fund may invest in closed-ended funds that qualify as transferable securities. Investment in closed-ended funds is not expected to comprise a significant portion of the Fund’s net assets and will not typically exceed 10% of net assets.
For liquidity or cash management purposes, a proportion of the Fund may also be invested in debt securities including government and corporate bonds, Money Market Instruments, cash and near cash and deposits. Any investment in bonds will be in investment grade corporate and government fixed or floating rate instruments.
5 years or more (Please refer to the Fund KIID for further detail on how this is calculated)
Active
The Fund is considered to be actively managed in reference to MSCI Europe Index and the HFRX Equity Hedge (EUR) Index (the “Benchmarks”) by virtue of the fact that it uses the Benchmarks for performance comparison purposes. The Benchmarks are not used to define the portfolio composition of the Fund and the Fund may be wholly invested in securities which are not constituents of the Benchmarks.
Understand common financial words and termsSee our glossary
Key Risks
Past performance does not predict future returns. You may get back less than you originally invested.
- 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.
- The Fund, may in certain circumstances, invest in derivatives but it is not intended that their use will materially affect volatility. Derivatives are used to protect against currencies, credit and interest rate moves or for investment purposes. The use of derivatives may create leverage or gearing resulting in potentially greater volatility or fluctuations in the net asset value of the Fund. 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.
- Credit Counterparty Risk: 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.
- Concentration Risk: This Fund may have a concentrated portfolio, i.e. hold a limited number of investments (35 or fewer) or have significant sector or factor exposures. If one of these investments or sectors / factors fall in value this can have a greater impact on the Fund's value than if it held a larger number of investments across a more diversified portfolio.
- Liquidty Risk: The Fund may encounter liquidity constraints from time to time. The spread between the price you buy and sell shares will reflect the less liquid nature of the underlying holdings.
- ESG Risk: there may be limitations to the availability, completeness or accuracy of ESG information from third-party providers, or inconsistencies in the consideration of ESG factors across different third party data providers, given the evolving nature of ESG.
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.
Disclaimer
This material is issued by Liontrust Investment Partners LLP (2 Savoy Court, London WC2R 0EZ), authorised and regulated in the UK by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN 518552) to undertake regulated investment business.
It 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.
This information and analysis 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, no representation or warranty is given, whether express or implied, by Liontrust as to its accuracy or completeness, including for external sources (which may have been used) which have not been verified.
This is a marketing communication. Before making an investment, you should read the relevant Prospectus and the Key Investor Information Document (KIID) and/or PRIIP/KID, which provide full product details including investment charges and risks. These documents can be obtained, free of charge, from www.liontrust.com or direct from Liontrust. 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.
