Investment Strategy
The investment objective of the fund is to achieve an appropriate and steady performance. In order to achieve this objective, at least 70% of the fund is invested in euro-denominated corporate bonds with an investment grade rating. Bonds are selected on the basis of fundamental aspects, risk/return factors and sustainability criteria. The strategy pursues an active management approach in conjunction with continuous risk management. Derivatives can also be used to manage interest rate, credit and currency risks.
- Core portfolio positioned close to the index plus our best ideas in the high-conviction portfolio
- Adding bonds with a rating below investment grade possible
- Integration of sustainability in the investment process and company analysis
- Risk management at portfolio and individual bond level
Further details on the opportunities and risks of this fund can be found in the sales prospectus.
Monthly market comment
US economic data once again dominated market activity. In particular, the better-than-expected US labor market report caused yields to rise across the board. In addition, US inflation rose again slightly for both consumer and producer prices. Despite this, both the ECB and the Fed cut their key interest rates by a further 25 basis points (bp). However, in view of the more persistent inflation, market participants only expect the Fed to make two interest rate cuts of 25 bp each in 2025, while four interest rate cuts are priced in for the ECB. Euro corporate bonds benefited and risk premiums narrowed by 6 bp to 101 bp. There was a noticeable seasonal decline on the new issue markets. Money market rates fell again in light of the ECB's interest rate cut. The 3-month Euribor most recently yielded 2.71% (-22 bp).
Portfolio Management
Felix Stern
Felix Stern joined the Asset Management division of Berenberg in 2000 as a fixed income portfolio manager. Currently he is heading the fixed income selection team within the Asset Management and is responsible for institutional mandates. As a senior portfolio manager he is responsible for the selection of corporate and financial bonds as well as short-term bond market investments. He is also the lead manager for several of Berenbergs institutional mutual funds. Prior to joining Berenberg, he worked several years for the Market Research department of British American Tobacco, Germany. Felix is a CCrA - Certified Credit Analyst (DVFA) and also has a German Diploma in business economics from the Fernuniversität in Hagen.