The strategy is based on a disciplined bottom-up stock selection of attractive smaller companies (market capitalisation up to 1bn EUR) based in Europe. The decisive criteria are among others end markets with structural growth, high entry barriers and excellent management teams.
Diversified portfolio of 90-120 stocks
Use of information inefficiencies due to low coverage
Long-term investment horizon and low portfolio turnover
Further details on the opportunities and risks of this fund can be found in the sales prospectus.
Indexed performance
Performance in 12-month periods
Currencies
Sectors
Countries
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Top Holdings
Monthly market comment
European stocks once again outperformed US stocks, though much was already priced in. A potential US economic slowdown in Q2 and trade disputes increased volatility. The Berenberg European Micro Cap Fund showed negative performance in February, both absolutely and relatively. Fasadgruppen recorded weak performance. While the acquisitions business performed well, the weak market development in Sweden weighed on the results. Suess Microtec reacted negatively to the DeepSeek news after a positive earnings surprise in January and struggled with the weakness in the semiconductor sector. R&S Group delivered solid numbers but remained under pressure due to the challenging market environment. Chemometec impressed with strong Q2 results: +26% revenue, +76% EBITDA, and results exceeding expectations. W5 Solutions showed positive performance, with the order book surpassing forecasts, and the margin benefited from one-time effects. Mildef achieved strong growth, exceeding expectations with €773 million order intake and reporting EBITA above forecasts. We initiated a position in Chapters Group and exited Ashtead Technology.
Portfolio Management
Peter Kraus
Peter Kraus has been Head of Small Cap Equities at Berenberg since October 2017. He began his career in 2000 as an equity analyst for a corporate finance consultancy in Munich before moving to Deka-Investment in Frankfurt in 2003. There he worked as an analyst for European Small Caps. In 2006 he joined Allianz Global Investors as Fund Manager for European Micro and Small/Mid Caps, where he contributed significantly to the success of the Small Cap team in the following years. Peter Kraus was responsible for the management of various European Small and Mid Cap funds as well as for the acquisition and management of international institutional mandates. He studied Business Administration at the University of Mannheim and is a CFA Charterholder.
Peter Kraus
Head of Small Cap Equities
Johann Abrahams
Johann Abrahams joined Berenberg as a Portfolio Manager in January 2020. Previously, he completed the Berenberg International Graduate Program with assignments in Sell-Side Equity Research, Equity sales, ECM, Syndicate, Quantitative and Discretionary Asset Management. Johann Abrahams holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the University of Mannheim, a Master in Finance and Economics from the London School of Economics and is a CFA Charterholder.