New Capital Dynamic UK Equity Fund

Marketing Communication | Quarterly Commentary

Market Overview

The UK market rose +3.7% over the quarter, underperforming the MSCI ACWI which was up +9.3% in GBP, while the MSCI UK Growth index was up +5.7%, outperforming the MSCI UK Value index which rose +2.8%. Over the quarter UK Large-Caps were up +4.4% outperforming Mid and Small-caps which rose +2.1% and +2.3%, respectively. From a sector perspective industrials and healthcare led the market in Q1 2024, while real estate and utilities lagged. Despite a couple of bumps through January, global equites started the year on a positive footing following on from a strong end to 2023. In the US the S&P 500 and Nasdaq both continued to break new all-time highs as US jobless claims hit a 16-month low on signs of economic resilience, and the market continued to focus on the timing of interest rate pivots and the soft landing narrative – following some pushback from Federal Reserve speakers, January ended with the market pricing a 65% chance for a hold in March versus coming into the year having priced a 85% expectation of the first cut. European markets also finished higher with similar pushback from European Central Bank officials on the timing of the first cut, though economic data out of the region remained notably weaker than the US, with further contractionary flash Purchasing Managers' Indexes suggesting continued sluggishness, while the corporate earnings season began on a weaker footing with the lowest percentage of earnings per share beats since 2009 for the Stoxx 600. The UK equity market was a notable outlier in finishing January weaker, largely down to the region's much larger weighting towards energy, banks, and mining, which all had a difficult start to 2024. Data also highlighted that inflation for the UK unexpectedly accelerated in December (+4% year-on-year versus +3.9% in November, and +3.7% expected), which acted to push rate cut expectations out further to June. Global equities continued their march higher through February, with indices across the US, Asia and Europe continuing to break new record highs amid signs the rally was beginning to broaden out. This strength continued even as US inflation numbers came in a touch higher than expected (while job markets remained strong), and through a continued rise in bond yields as market participants seemingly looked through to the next cycle to break the typical correlation. The market shifted to pricing in three to four US rate cuts having tempered expectations from six cuts at the start of the year. As a result, the market and Federal Reserve pricing moved to being more closely aligned. The UK equity market continued to be the laggard given its heavier commodities/energy exposure, as well as its more defensive nature. Data released showed that the UK slipped into a technical recession in Q4, while the Bank of England (BoE) voted to leave rates unchanged at 5.25% (six hold, two raise, one cut). On a positive note, updated inflation forecasts from the BoE pointed to the consumer price index returning to 2% in Q2’24 (two years earlier than was expected in November) largely driven by favourable base effects from energy. A strong end to the quarter was then kicked off by the US Personal Consumption Expenditures inflation data for January which dropped to its lowest rate in three years, whilst eurozone harmonized index of consumer prices inflation also eased, and this drove a strong demand for cyclical risk. The major central banks all decided to hold rates for now, but there was increasingly more of a dovish tone to commentary. The BoE highlighted that data was moving in the right direction, though they were not quite ready yet to declare victory in the battle against inflation.

Fund Performance & Positioning

Whilst the Fund was able to deliver positive absolute returns, it struggled to keep up with the benchmark (MSCI United Kingdom All Cap) period of strong outperformance by cyclical risk. Relative performance was also negatively impacted by our holdings with exposure to China, and by two large benchmark positions that we do not own rising sharply, causing a c.80bps headwind between them. Whilst we have been increasing the cyclical balance within the portfolio, we remain wary of adding to pockets of the market that have rallied very hard in a very short space of time, and now appear overextended. European cyclicals/defensives relative forward price-earnings ratio has now risen to more than one standard deviation above its long run average, while relative strength indexes for cyclical sectors such as materials and banks are in the 70s and 80s, and we expect a period of consolidation ahead that could provide better entry points. Stocks that made the largest positive contribution to performance during the quarter were: For professional clients, qualified investors and accredited investors only. 2 New Capital Dynamic UK Equity Fund Quarterly Commentary | As of 31 March 2024 - BAE (+22%) – Increasing global geopolitical tensions, and the announcement of a new upgrade contract for Australian Navy frigates by the company saw the shares well supported over the quarter. The company also released a strong set of FY23 results with a large 40% beat on free cashflow and a record orderbook, while growth guidance for FY24 also prompted upgrades. - RELX (+10%) – A continued push by the company to demonstrate the potential growth opportunities from generative artificial intelligence via investor updates and the launch of new LexisNexis and Elsevier solutions was well received by the market. Also positive was a strong set of FY23 results showing like-for-like growth of 8% and broad-based growth across all divisions, which was paired with an upsized £1bn share buyback and dividend raise. - IHG (+16%) – The shares outperformed strongly through February following a solid FY23 earnings report with RevPAR +7.6% well ahead of peers, and the announcement of an $800m buyback (5% yield) was well received by the market. Stocks that made the largest negative contribution to performance during the quarter: - BHP (-13%) – Materials was the weakest sector by contribution in Q1. A continued mixed macroeconomic picture in China drove rising fears of a hard landing. This weighed on iron ore prices and saw related miners such as BHP de-rate over the quarter. - Prudential (-15%) – The shares traded lower over the quarter on weaker sentiment around China exposed equities. Whilst FY23 earnings were strong, with new business profits 6% ahead of expectations and margins beating across all markets, investors were disappointed with the lack of any meaningful buyback announcement with management reiterating that they prefer to invest capital for growth at higher rates of return for now. - SSE (-10%) – There were no material company specific headlines driving the share price weakness over the month, but utilities were the worst performing sector from a total return perspective as rising bond yields through the first two months of the year weighed on the sector. Significant Changes We added Pets at Home in March as we believe the company presents an attractive blend of different growth drivers, earnings resilience, and solid returns. Shares had been heavily discounted by the ongoing CMA investigation into the veterinary sector which we believe presented us with an attractive entry point from a valuation perspective.

New Capital Dynamic UK Equity Fund MSCI United Kingdom All Cap Index Difference
1 Month +0.82% +2.37% -1.55%
3 Month +4.98% +7.61% -2.63%
6 Month +10.58% +14.2% -3.62%
YTD +2.99% +6.17% -3.18%
1Yr +4.65% +7.38% -2.73%
3Yr Annualized +7.84% +7.66% +0.18%
5Yr Annualized +6.1% +5.1% +1%
Since inception annualized +6.02% +6.03% -0.01%
Since inception 03.11.2016 +54.92% +55.05% -0.13%

Past performance is not necessarily a guide to the future. The value of your investments and the income from them may fall as well as rise as a result of market as well as currency fluctuations and you may not get back the full amount invested. Fund performance is net of fees and representative of the USD I Acc Share Class and shows a maximum of five previous calendar years and current year to date (computed on a NAV to NAV basis). Where share class inception begins prior to the five previous years the chart has been rebased to 100. Where the Fund has fewer than five full years of performance, returns are shown from the inception date. Source: EFG Asset Management, Bloomberg. As at 30 Apr 2024.

Outlook

The Fund is positioned as a core UK equity product and is differentiated in three key ways: (1) it is a high-conviction bottom-up portfolio of 35 - 45 stocks, (2) it is focused on benefitting from the long-term performance of the businesses that it owns, with low name turnover and an average three-year holding period, (3) it is focused on owning what we believe to be the highest-quality businesses in the UK. A high-quality business has the following characteristics in our view. (1) they need to be robust to competition and generate high and sustainable returns on capital, (2) they need to have attractive long-term growth prospects, and (3) most critically, they need to be managed by excellent stewards of corporate capital, who can maintain both returns and growth through time. In addition, and to make it into the portfolio, the companies need to be trading at prices that provide good risk/reward asymmetry over our investment time horizon. Once we have selected attractive companies, we construct the portfolio to maximise its emphasis on the bottom-up merits of the individual companies we own while also delivering an attractive dividend yield. However, we aim to balance the risks to relative performance from macroeconomic and other top-down events via a robust risk management process which influences – but does not drive – our portfolio construction.

Disclaimer

MARKETING COMMUNICATION

For professional clients, qualified investors and accredited investors only. The value of investments and the income derived from them can fall as well as rise, your capital is at risk. Note: Past performance is not a guide to the future. Returns may increase or decrease as a result of currency fluctuations.

All sources: EFG Asset Management (UK) Limited ("EFGAM"), Factset, Bloomberg, Morningstar as at end of the month.  Any other sources as applicable. 

This document has been produced by EFG Asset Management (UK) Limited for use by the EFG International  ("EFG Group" or "EFG") worldwide subsidiaries and affiliates within the EFG Group. EFG Asset Management (UK) Limited is authorised and regulated by the UK Financial Conduct Authority, registered no. 7389736. Registered address: EFG Asset Management (UK) Limited, Park House, 116 Park Street, London W1K 6AP, United Kingdom, telephone +44 (0)20 7491 9111. 

This document has been prepared solely for information purposes. The information contained herein constitutes a marketing communication and should not be construed as financial research or analysis, an offer, a public offer, an investment advice, a recommendation or solicitation to buy, sell or subscribe to financial instruments and/or to the provision of a financial service. It is not intended to be a final representation of the terms and conditions of any investment, security, other financial instrument or other product or service. The content of this document is intended only for persons who understand and are capable of assuming all risks involved. Further, this document is not intended to provide any financial, legal, accounting or tax advice and should not be relied upon in this regard. The information in this document does not take into account the specific investment objectives, financial situation or particular needs of the recipient. You should seek your own professional advice (including tax advice) suitable to your particular circumstances prior to making any investment or if you are in doubt as to the information in this document. 

Performance results shown are net of applicable fees and expenses. The value of investments and the income derived from them can fall as well as rise, and you may not get back the amount originally invested. Past performance is no indicator of future performance. Investment products may be subject to investment risks, involving but not limited to, currency exchange and market risks, fluctuations in value, liquidity risk and, where applicable, possible loss of principal invested. Some funds may have high volatility owing to portfolio composition or the portfolio management techniques utilised or be subject to various other risk factors. Such risks are set out in the Prospectus and KIID/KID.

A copy of the English version of the prospectus of the Fund and the key investor information document relating to the Fund is available on www.newcapital.com and may also be obtained from EFG Asset Management (UK) Limited. Where required under national rules, the key investor information document/the key information document will also be available in the local language of the relevant EEA Member State. 

The information provided in this document is not the result of financial research conducted by EFGAM’s research department. Therefore, it does not constitute investment or independent research as defined in EU regulation (such as “MIFID II” or “MIFIR”) nor under the Swiss “Directive on the Independence of Financial Research” issued by the Swiss Banking Association or any other equivalent local rules. Investors should carefully read the Prospectus and the Key Investor Information Document (KIID) and review such documents prior to taking any investment decisions.  This information can be obtained on request and free of charge from your client relationship officer.

Waystone Management Company (IE) Limited is the appointed Management Company and is regulated by the CBI. The Manager is a private limited company incorporated in Ireland under the company registration number C123529 with its registered office at 4th Floor, 35 Shelbourne Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin, D04 A4E0, Ireland.
 
Although information in this document has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, no member of the EFG group represents or warrants its accuracy, and such information may be incomplete or condensed. Any opinions in this document are subject to change without notice. This document may contain personal opinions which do not necessarily reflect the position of any member of the EFG group. To the fullest extent permissible by law, no member of the EFG group shall be responsible for the consequences of any errors or omissions herein, or reliance upon any opinion or statement contained herein, and each member of the EFG group expressly disclaims any liability, including (without limitation) liability for incidental or consequential damages, arising from the same or resulting from any action or inaction on the part of the recipient in reliance on this document.

EFG and its employees may engage in securities transactions, on a proprietary basis or otherwise and hold long or short positions with regard to the instruments identified herein; such transactions or positions may be inconsistent with the views expressed in this document.  

The availability of this document in any jurisdiction or country may be contrary to local law or regulation and persons who come into possession of this document should inform themselves of and observe any restrictions. This document may not be reproduced, disclosed or distributed (in whole or in part) to any other person without prior written permission from an authorised member of the EFG Group.

Financial intermediaries/independent asset managers who may be receiving this document confirm that they will need to make their own independent decisions and in addition shall ensure that, where provided to end clients/investors with the permission from the EFG Group, the content is in line with their own clients’ circumstances with regard to any investment, legal, regulatory, tax or other considerations. No liability is accepted by the EFG Group for any damages, losses or costs (whether direct, indirect or consequential) that may arise from any use of this document by the financial intermediaries/independent asset managers, their clients or any third parties.

Comparisons to indexes or benchmarks in this material are being provided for illustrative purposes only and have limitations because indexes and benchmarks have material characteristics that may differ from the particular investment strategies that are being pursued by EFG and securities in which it invests.

The information and views expressed herein at the time of writing are subject to change at any time without notice and there is no obligation to update or remove outdated information.
 
Risks associated with debt instruments with loss-absorption features – the Fund/Note/Account may invest in debt instruments with loss-absorption features, for example, contingent convertible debt securities (“CoCos”), senior non-preferred debts and subordinated debts issued by financial institutions. These debt instruments are subject to greater risks when compared to traditional debt instruments as such instruments typically include terms and conditions which may result in them being partly or wholly written off, written down, or converted to ordinary shares of the issuer upon the occurrence of a pre-defined trigger event (e.g. when the issuer is near or at the point of non-viability or when the issuer’s capital ratio falls to a specified level). Such trigger events are likely to be outside of the issuer’s control and are complex and difficult to predict and can result in a significant or total reduction in the value of such instruments.
 
Country of origin of the collective investment scheme:  Ireland.  The information contained in this document is merely a brief summary of key aspects of the fund.

More complete information on the fund can be found in the relevant memorandum and articles of association, prospectus, key information document, the addenda, the supplements and the most recent audited annual report and the most recent semi-annual report. These documents constitute the sole binding basis for the purchase of fund units. Copies of these documents are available free of charge and may be obtained upon request from www.newcapital.com and also as follows:

Ireland: from the registered office of the Fund at 35 Shelbourne Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin, Ireland

United Kingdom:  from the UK facilities agent, EFG Asset Management (UK) Limited, Park House, 116 Park Street, London W1K 6AF, United Kingdom

Switzerland: from the Swiss representative, CACEIS (Switzerland) SA, Route de Signy 35, CH-1260 Nyon 2 and the paying agent, EFG Bank SA, 24 Quai du Seujet, CH-1211, Geneva 2, Switzerland.

Italy: from the Italian paying agent, All funds Bank S.A.U., Milan Branch, Via Santa Margherita, 7 – 20121, Milan, Italy

Germany: from the German Facility Agent, FE fundinfo (Luxembourg) S.a.r.l. 6 Boulevard des Lumières, Belvaux 4369 Luxembourg

Austria, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and Sweden: from the European Facility Service provider, FE fundinfo with registered address 6 Boulevard des Lumières, Belvaux, 4369 Luxembourg

Cyprus: from the Cypriot Paying Agent Eurobank Cyprus Ltd, 41 Makariou Avenue, 1065, Nicosia, Cyprus

Greece: from the Greek Paying Agent, Eurobank S.A., 8 Othonos Street, 10557 Athens, Greece

A summary of investor rights associated with an investment in the Fund shall be available in English from www.newcapital.com.

Termination of marketing arrangements: Waystone Management Company (IE) Limited have the right to terminate the arrangements made for marketing the Fund in certain jurisdictions and to certain investors. In such circumstances, Shareholders in the affected EEA Member State will be notified of this decision and will be provided with the opportunity to redeem their shareholding in the Fund free of any charges or deductions for at least 30 working days from the date of such notification. 

European Union: Waystone Investment Management (IE) Limited is the European investment distributor and is authorized in Ireland as an investment firm under the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive. Waystone Investment Management (IE) Limited acts as a distributor
in the European Union under reference number C1011 and Ireland. Waystone Investment Management (IE) Limited does not provide investment advice on an independent basis.

Hong Kong: This document is issued by EFG Asset Management (Hong Kong) Limited and has not been reviewed by the Securities and Futures Commission (‘SFC”) in Hong Kong. The SFC takes no responsibility for the contents of this statement and makes no representation as to its accuracy or completeness. Registered address: 18th Floor, International Commerce Centre, 1 Austin Road West, Kowloon, Hong Kong. The above information does not constitute an offer, solicitation or invitation, publicity or any other advice or recommendation. Informational sources are believed to be reliable and accurate at the time of issue but no representation or warranty, expressed or implied, is made as to the fairness, accuracy or completeness of the information. Investment involves risk. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Before making any investment decision to invest in the Fund, you should read the Hong Kong offering documents and especially the risk factors therein. An investment in the Fund may not be suitable for everyone. If you are in any doubt about the contents of this document, you should consult your stockbroker, bank manager, solicitor, accountant or other financial adviser for independent professional advice. 

Singapore: This document shall be construed as part of the information memorandum (the "Information Memorandum") for the Fund, which shall be deemed to include and incorporate this document and any other document, correspondence, communication or material sent or provided to eligible participants in relation to the Fund from time to time. Accordingly, this document must not be relied upon or construed on its own without reference to and as part of the Information Memorandum.

The Fund has not been authorised or recognised by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (“MAS”), and the units in the Fund (the "Units") are not allowed to be offered to the retail public. Moreover, the Information Memorandum is not a prospectus as defined in the Securities and Futures Act 2001 of Singapore, as amended or modified from time to time (“SFA”), and statutory liability under the SFA in relation to the content of prospectuses would not apply. The Information Memorandum has not been and will not be registered as a prospectus with the MAS. Accordingly, the Information Memorandum, this document and any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of the Units may not be circulated or distributed, nor may the Units be offered or sold, or be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, whether directly or indirectly, to the public, any member of the public or any person in Singapore, other than under an exemption provided in the SFA for offers made (a) to an institutional investor (as defined in Section 4A of the SFA) pursuant to Section 304 of the SFA, (b) to a relevant person (as defined in Section 305(5) of the SFA), or any person pursuant to an offer referred to in Section 305(2) of the SFA, and in accordance with the conditions specified in Section 305 of the SFA, or (c) otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with, the conditions of any other applicable provision of the SFA. The Units are classified as "capital markets products other than prescribed capital markets products" (as defined in the Securities and Futures (Capital Markets Products) Regulations 2018 and Specified Investment Products (as defined in MAS Notice SFA 04-N12: Notice on the Sale of Investment Products and MAS Notice FAA-N16: Notice on Recommendations on Investment Products).

Information for investors in Australia: 
For Professional, Institutional and Wholesale Investors Only. This document has been prepared and issued by EFG Asset Management (UK) Limited, a private limited company with registered number 7389736 and with its registered office address at Park House, Park Street, London W1K 6AP (telephone number +44 (0)20 7491 9111). EFG Asset Management (UK) Limited is regulated and authorized by the Financial Conduct Authority No. 536771. EFG Asset Management (UK) Limited is exempt from the requirement to hold an Australian financial services licence in respect of the financial services it provides to wholesale clients in Australia and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority of the United Kingdom (FCA Registration No. 536771) under the laws of the United Kingdom which differ from Australian laws.  This document is personnal and intended solely for the use of the person to whom it is given or sent and may not be reproduced, in whole or in part, to any other person.
 ASIC Class Order CO 03/1099 EFG Asset Management (UK) Limited notifies you that it is relying on the Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC) Class Order CO 03/1099 (Class Order) exemption (as extended in operation by ASIC Corporations (Repeal and Transitional Instrument 2016/396) for UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) regulated firms which exempts it from the requirement to hold an Australian financial services licence (AFSL) under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) (Corporations Act) in respect of the financial services we provide to you. 

UK Regulatory Requirements 
The financial services that we provide to you are regulated by the FCA under the laws and regulatory requirements of the United Kingdom which are different to Australia. Consequently any offer or other documentation that you receive from us in the course of us providing financial services to you will be prepared in accordance with those laws and regulatory requirements. The UK regulatory requirements refer to legislation, rules enacted pursuant to the legislation and any other relevant policies or documents issued by the FCA.  Your Status as a Wholesale Client. In order that we may provide financial services to you, and for us to comply with the Class Order, you must be a 'wholesale client' within the meaning given by section 761G of the Corporations Act. Accordingly, by accepting any documentation from us prior to the commencement of or in the course of us providing financial services to you, you warrant to us that you are a ‘wholesale client’; agree to provide such information or evidence that we may request from time to time to confirm your status as a wholesale client; agree that we may cease providing financial services to you if you are no longer a wholesale client or do not provide us with information or evidence satisfactory to us to confirm your status as a wholesale client; 
and agree to notify us in writing within 5 business days if you cease to be a 'wholesale client' for the purposes of the financial services that we provide to you.

IMPORTANT NOTE: FOR PUBLICATIONS WITH CONTENT RELATED TO FUNDS

Offering Documents 

Neither this document nor any document under which Interests in the New Capital UCITS Fund plc (the “Fund”) are offered is a prospectus, product disclosure statement or other formal disclosure document under the Corporations Act.  Interests in the Fund may not be offered, issued, sold or distributed in Australia other than by way of or pursuant to an offer or invitation that does not need disclosure to investors either under Part 7.9 or Part 6D.2 of the Corporations Act, whether by reason of the investor being a wholesale client (as defined in section 761G of the Corporations Act and applicable regulations) or otherwise. Nothing in this document nor any document under which interests in the Fund are offered constitutes an offer of interests in a financial product or financial product advice to a 'retail client' (as defined in section 761G of the Corporations Act and applicable regulations).

The issuer of the interests in the Fund relies on exemptions available under Australian law from the need to hold an AFSL for the provision of financial services to Australian wholesale clients. Note that as all investors must be wholesale clients, no cooling off rights are available in relation to an investment in the Fund.

Contact us:
Park House
116 Park Street
London
W1K 6AP
UK

+44 (0)20 7491 9111
[email protected]

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