The fund management invests in global healthcare stocks that generate above-average and sustainable earnings growth over a long period of time. The fund focuses on companies that contribute to significantly improving human health, extending life expectancy and/or reducing healthcare costs. The long-term attractiveness of the healthcare sector is supported by demographics and social change due to the ageing population and rising wealth, especially in emerging countries.
Further details on the opportunities and risks of this fund can be found in the sales prospectus.
No longtime performance data available for now
Monthly market comment
After the temporary correction in April, the stock markets picked up speed again in May. The Berenberg Better Health Fund outperformed the benchmark in the previous month. Intuitive Surgical shares reached a new all-time high last month and are currently benefiting from a new product cycle, which is primarily driven by the Da Vinci 5 launched in the first quarter. Alcon published strong quarterly figures in May and its share price subsequently reached new highs. In contrast, the shares of US pharmaceutical company Merck & Co performed somewhat weaker after a very strong share price performance to date. There was no significant news flow. Sartorius Stedim continued to lose value throughout May. Management held out the prospect of more dynamic development from the second quarter of 2024. However, the market doubts that the annual targets will be achieved. We added Dexcom and Edwards Lifesciences to our portfolio in May. Dexcom is a leading manufacturer of constant glucose monitoring devices for the diagnosis of diabetes and Edwards Lifesciences manufactures products for the repair and replacement of mitral and tricuspid valves. We have sold our position in Surgical Science.
Portfolio Management
Kay Eichhorn-Schott
Kay Eichhorn-Schott has been a Portfolio Manager at Berenberg since October 2017. Kay started his career in the Berenberg International Graduate Program in October 2015 and joined the Wealth and Asset Management division in London after completing the program. He holds a Master of Science in Finance and studied at EBS Business School, University of Bath and Texas A&M University. Kay Eichhorn-Schott is a CFA Charterholder.
Kay Eichhorn-Schott
Portfolio Manager
Sabrina Bendel
Sabrina Bendel has been Product Specialist for the discretionary Equity Portfolio Management team since April 2017. Before joining Berenberg, she worked in the Asset Management division of Deutsche Bank Group (DWS) since 2014. There, she was responsible for European and German Equity Funds as a Product Specialist. Sabrina Bendel holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics and Business Administration from the University of Hohenheim.
Sabrina Bendel
Head of Product Specialists Equities
CO₂-Intensity
The CO₂ Intensity (Scope 1 & 2emissions) per company is multiplied by is portfolio weight (current value of the investment by current portfolio value) and summedup. This weighted average CO₂ Intensity provides an indication ofthe portfolio’s exposure to CO₂ emission intensive companies. The unit is in tons of CO₂ per USD 1 million revenues.
The fund does not actively manage its carbon footprint, however, emissions data such as CO2 intensity are relevant parameters which can be used to assess the efficient management of a company and the extent of transition risks.
ESG Score
Using a score between 0 (lowest) and 10 (highest), MSCI ESG assesses the ability of portfolio holdings to identify and manage environmental, social and governance-related risks compared to peers. The ESG scores are assigned at the holding level and are aggregated at the portfolio level as the weighted average ESG Score.
The data provider MSCI ESG uses an ESG score of 0 to 10 to assess the management of material ESG risks of portfolio holdings compared to competitors.
ESG Controversies Screen
MSCI ESG analyses controversial business practices from the five areas environment, human rights, labour rights & supply management, customers and governance. The controversies are rated according to their reputational risk as well as the operational handling by a flagging system. Green indicates no or weak controversies, yellow indicates moderate controversies, orange indicates severe controversies and red indicates very severe controversies.
Investments in the fund are monitored for ESG controversies and, with the help of MSCI ESG data, flagged according their severity. Thereby, potential ESG risks of investments are identified. In the case of an orange flag (severe controversy), we enter into an active exchange with the company. In the case of a red flag (very severe controversy), the company is excluded.