Investment Strategy
The Berenberg Multi Asset Defensive fund pursues a defensive global multi-asset strategy with a focus on Europe. Central to the approach is a broad diversification across asset classes, segments, sectors, currencies and regions to take advantage of beneficial correlation properties that go beyond traditional equity and bond investments. A special focus is on uncorrelated alternative investments, not only as an additional source of income but also as a source of stability. The active management of investment ratios, capital commitment periods as well as regional and sectoral allocations, especially from a risk management perspective, ensures participation in the capital markets while having a defensive investment approach.
- Modern solution for risk-aware investors
- Active positioning against a mixed market benchmark
- Maximum equity allocation of 30%
- Investment universe includes individual stocks, funds, ETFs and derivatives
Learn more about our Berenberg Multi Asset investment philosophy
Fund data
| ISIN | DE000A1C0UM4 |
|---|---|
| WKN | A1C0UM |
| Inception date | 20.07.2010 |
| Issue price (24.04.2025) | 61.44 EUR |
| Redemption price (24.04.2025) | 58.24 EUR |
| Fund volume | 118.77 Mio. EUR |
| Share class volume | 57.22 Mio. EUR |
| Currency Fund / Share Class | EUR / EUR |
| Minimum investment | - |
| Asset Manager | Joh. Berenberg, Gossler & Co. KG |
| Management company | Universal-Investment-Gesellschaft mbH |
| Custodian | BNP Paribas S.A. Niederlassung Deutschland |
| Use of income | Distributing |
| End of financial year | 31.12. |
| Registration and Distribution | DE, AT |
| SFDR Classification (Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation) | Article 8 |
Costs
| Issue surcharge | Up to 5.50% |
|---|---|
| Flat-rate fee p.a. | 1.36% |
| Total Expense Ratio (TER) p.a. | 1.43% |
| Performance fee | none |
Chances and risks
| Chances | Risks |
|---|---|
| Attractive return potential over the medium to long term | Volatility of equities, bonds and currencies can lead to price losses |
| Above-average performance by exploiting investment opportunities across regions and asset classes, with a focus on intelligent diversification | Unit value may fall below the purchase price at which the customer acquired the unit |
| Stabilization of assets in negative capital market phases through professional risk controlling | No guarantee of success through active management Derivative transactions: Increased opportunities are accompanied by increased risks of loss. Furthermore, the fund's profit opportunities may also be reduced by hedging against losses using derivatives |
| Possible additional returns through active management |
Further details on the opportunities and risks of this fund can be found in the sales prospectus.
Indexed performance
Performance in 12-month periods
Monthly performance
| Year | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | YTD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 2.45 | 1.37 | 0.33 | -0.17 | 0.32 | -2.05 | 1.02 | -2.78 | -2.00 | 2.92 | 0.97 | -2.30 | -0.12 |
| 2016 | -2.63 | -0.04 | 0.83 | 0.41 | 1.43 | -0.64 | 1.48 | 0.27 | -0.17 | -0.58 | 0.04 | 1.93 | 2.29 |
| 2017 | -0.25 | 1.92 | 1.01 | 0.58 | 0.63 | -0.97 | -0.04 | -0.22 | 0.67 | 1.16 | -0.80 | 0.17 | 3.88 |
| 2018 | 0.33 | -1.68 | -1.12 | 1.21 | 0.30 | -0.99 | 0.94 | -0.19 | -0.34 | -2.61 | -0.50 | -2.40 | -6.90 |
| 2019 | 2.82 | 1.39 | 1.20 | 1.51 | -0.74 | 1.54 | 1.38 | 0.73 | 0.13 | -0.25 | 0.92 | 0.57 | 11.74 |
| 2020 | 1.37 | -1.69 | -6.96 | 3.64 | 1.28 | 1.28 | 1.00 | 1.24 | -0.25 | -1.08 | 1.94 | 1.53 | 2.92 |
| 2021 | 0.17 | 0.07 | 1.09 | 1.33 | 0.66 | 0.92 | 0.98 | 0.74 | -1.42 | 1.29 | -0.21 | 0.75 | 6.53 |
| 2022 | -3.12 | -1.34 | 0.63 | -1.10 | -1.82 | -2.99 | 3.06 | -1.84 | -2.80 | -0.07 | 2.16 | -1.78 | -10.66 |
| 2023 | 2.47 | -1.02 | 0.42 | 0.04 | -0.22 | -0.36 | 1.05 | -0.56 | -1.10 | -0.47 | 2.56 | 1.77 | 4.58 |
| 2024 | 0.70 | 0.24 | 2.10 | -0.43 | 0.69 | 0.98 | 0.99 | 0.52 | 0.77 | -0.32 | 1.96 | -0.74 | 7.70 |
| 2025 | 2.63 | 0.24 | -2.10 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | -0.23 |
Source: Berenberg, Management company
The charts and tables regarding performance shown here are based on own calculations according to the method developed by the German Investment Funds Association (BVI). They illustrate past performance. Future performance can deviate both positively and negatively from these calculations. Gross performance (BVI method) takes into account all charges at fund level (e.g. management fee), net performance plus the issue surcharge. Additional charges can arise for individual investors (e.g. custody account fees, commissions and other fees). Model calculation (net): An investor wants to purchase fund units for EUR 1,000 EUR. Considering a max issue surcharge of 5.50% he has to payEUR 55.00 for the purchase. Also, fees may be charged for the administration of the safe custody account, which will lower the performance. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.
Performance after issue surcharge
| 1 year | 4.51% |
|---|---|
| 3 years | 5.33% |
| 5 years | 14.92% |
| since inception | 28.30% |
| Max. Drawdown 5 years | -12.45% |
Source: Berenberg, Management company | State: 24 Apr 2025
Risk figures
| Volatility - 1 year | 4.95% |
|---|---|
| Volatility - 3 years | 4.37% |
| Sharpe Ratio - 3 years | -0.19 |
| Maximum Drawdown - since inception | -17.01% |
Currencies
Asset classes
Top Holdings
Equities - Sectors
Equities - Countries
Bonds - Sectors
Bonds - Countries
Monthly market comment
In March, President Trump's tariff announcements dominated the markets, while U.S. leading indicators continued to deteriorate. In Europe, optimism, particularly due to the German economic stimulus package, provided a boost. Nevertheless, the Stoxx Europe 50 fell by 4.1%, and the MSCI World in euros dropped by 8.3%, further amplified by the strong euro. Energy and utility stocks saw gains, while technology and consumer goods stocks came under pressure. The Nasdaq was strongly affected by the sell-off of the "Mag7" stocks and concerns about U.S. tariffs, ending the first quarter with a double-digit loss. We took advantage of the weakness in U.S. stocks to build positions in Deere and Meta. In the bond markets, the yields on 2-year U.S. Treasuries slightly declined, while 10-year yields remained stable. In Germany, the yields on 10-year Bunds rose by over 33 basis points, driven by the fiscal package. Risk aversion was also evident in the credit market through rising high-yield spreads. At the same time, the price of gold benefited from geopolitical uncertainties, increasing by 9.3% to USD 3,124. The year 2025 began with noticeable market volatility. Despite political uncertainties, we expect in our base case scenario another bull year and view pullbacks as potential attractive entry opportunities.
Portfolio Management
Daniel Sutter
Portfolio Management Multi Asset
Tobias Schäfer
Tobias Schäfer has been with Berenberg since July 2018. As a portfolio manager in private asset management, he is responsible for the fund-heavy asset management core strategies. A further focus is on qualitative fund selection in the equities/bonds and alternative sectors as well as on ETF selection. Mr. Schäfer completed his apprenticeship as a bank clerk at Sparkasse Darmstadt in 2012, where he subsequently worked as an asset management consultant and completed his studies in Banking & Finance at FOM in 2015. During his Master of Finance at the Frankfurt School of Finance, he worked as a working student in institutional multi-asset portfolio management at Union Investment. There he was hired in 2017 after the successful completion of his studies and was responsible for institutional investors as junior portfolio manager in the advisory department.
Christian Bettinger
Christian Bettinger has been with the company since June 2009 and heads the Portfolio Management Fixed Income department. As fund manager of the mutual funds Berenberg Euro Bonds and Berenberg Financial Bonds, he is responsible for the selection of corporate bonds. He trained as a banker and then studied business administration at the Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt. In 2010, the business graduate was taken on early from the Berenberg trainee program as a fund manager with a focus on derivatives and bonds. Bettinger is a CFA Charterholder, Certified Financial Engineer (CFE) and authorized Eurex trader.
