Emerging Markets UCITS Fund – EUR
Portfolio Attribution
The Fund outperformed the Index in November 2024. We use both bottom-up “stock-specific” and top-down factor categories to seek to forecast alpha for the stocks in the Portfolio’s investable universe. Our bottom-up technical (price momentum), growth, competitive strength, valuation, and corporate events factors were positive indicators in November. Our top-down country/sector aggregate was a positive indicator, while macroeconomic and currency were negative indicators during the month.
Quarterly Investment Outlook
During the third quarter, the US Federal Reserve reduced its benchmark interest rate and indicated that additional interest rate cuts are likely. More accommodative central bank policy in the US, and the potential for a weaker US dollar, should be tailwinds for EM assets. Chinese authorities, recognizing the inadequacy of recent efforts, have introduced aggressive measures to stimulate their economy. The People’s Bank of China (PBOC) cut the required reserve ratio for Chinese banks by 50 basis points, a larger reduction than most investors anticipated, freeing up approximately 1 trillion yuan for new lending. We believe additional interest rate cuts, and broader measures to support the Chinese real estate market, are likely. The PBOC also increased financing availability for stock repurchase activity, which we believe will support China’s financial markets. On the consumption side, several Chinese cities and provinces have announced vouchers to bolster spending in a variety of goods and services, including traveling, dine-in, and sports. The Portfolio was overweight Chinese stocks due in part to valuation considerations. For the first time in 50 years, South Korea’s President, Yoon Suk Yeol, declared martial law in early December. Hours later, 190 South Korean lawmakers, including 20 from President Yeol’s party, unanimously voted to request the withdrawal of martial law. President Yoon has ended martial law and faces an impeachment motion as his approval rating has been among the lowest of all South Korean presidents to date. The Portfolio remains overweight South Korean stocks due primarily to attractive valuations and we continue to monitor this very fluid situation.