Ostrum Europe Smaller Companies Fund
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Ostrum Europe Smaller Companies Fund Quarterly Portfolio Commentary 31-Mar-2020 Summary of economic conditions influencing investment decisions The MSCI Europe small cap index fell 28.9% in the first quarter, with high volatility, following the global pandemic of the Covid-19. The index rose slightly until mid February, with the publication of the first 2019 results and the resolution of the Sino US trade war. The belief then was that Covid-19 would remain confined to China, which seemed to control it. Second, other countries (Iran, South Korea, and Italy) were affected, raising fears of a global pandemic, which caused the index to fall rapidly, particularly cyclical stocks. Monetary and fiscal measures appeared insufficient to investors; long rates rose, especially in Italy, which decided to confine its population. Added to this was the dispute between Russia and Saudi Arabia, which led to a collapse in the oil price. Then, major recovery plans were announced by central banks (debt buybacks, rate cuts) and governments (aid to companies and individuals, ban on short selling), allowing the market to rebound, despite the progression of the pandemic. In the rally, it was risky and cyclical securities that rose most. Long rates fell again. Overall, there was a flight to quality and liquidity. Defensive sectors performed well and all cycle sensitive sectors underperformed. Switzerland, Denmark and Belgium lost only about 17%. France, the United Kingdom and Norway lost more than 35% in euro terms. Norwegian Krone fell by 14.17% and Sterling by 4.09% against the Euro. Decisions taken during the period The fund held between 1 and 2% in cash during the quarter and then increased cash to 5% in the last days of March, anticipating the end of the rally. In January, we sold the line Interpump (Italian pump manufacturer) because of its sensitivity to the cycle; conversely, we added NEXI, the leader in payment in Italy. On valuation grounds, we reduced our positions in InSTER, Bravida, Rentokil, Homeserve and Lifco. We added to Cancom, Soitec, Trelleborg and Scout 24, for which we have a significantly higher target price than current prices. In February, we sold Fevertree (beverages) and Ipsen (health) on worsening growth prospects; we sold Takeaway (home delivered meals) with a good capital gain to buy Hellofresh. We bought Worldline, a player (like NEXI) in the digital payments market. Lines Netcompany, Barco, Valmet and Prosegur were strengthened, while we decreased Grenke, Nemetschek and Spectris where upside potential has become low. In March, we sold 6 lines that seemed to us to be at risk, given the new economic environment: Three oil companies (Cairn Energy, TGS and Aker asa), Spectris, B & S (liqueurs and fragrances wholesaler dependent on travelers) and AMS, which launched Osram's takeover bid without having the means to do so, before a very dilutive capital increase. We also reduced the exposure to securities highly sensitive to containment: Rightmove, Stroer, Grenke, Basic Fit and took profits on Kojamo (Finnish residential real estate). On the other hand, we bought Teamviewer, which sells a PC remote control software, which we believe is one of the winners of tele work, and whose profit is growing by more than 30% per year; we also introduced GB Group, an English company that markets databases that allow identity checks to be carried out, which are very useful for banks and e commerce to combat fraud. Finally, we reinforced real estate lines such as Merlin Properties, Leg and Grand City. Explanation of performance The fund fell by 25.7%, outperforming its benchmark by 3.2%. The sector allocation's contribution was neutral, with gains on the overweighted positions in health and technology and the underweighting in financials, but losses on the underweight positions in defensive stocks (utilities, non durable consumer goods and real estate). The stock picking was very good, thanks in particular to two companies which benefit from the containment and which are included in the fund's biggest bets: Hellofresh gained 25% since our purchase in February (contribution +89 bp); Teamviewer has gained 12% since our purchase in early March (+64 bp). The stock picking was good in the real estate sector with Kojamo (+9% and 50 bps of contribution), Leg, Grand City and TAG; likewise in healthcare with Hikma (-1% & +46 bps), Dermapharm (-5% & 45 bps), GN Store, Galapagos, Orpea. Other defensive stocks which contributed very positively to performance were Pennon, InSTER, Unibrew and Homeserve. FOR INVESTMENT PROFESSIONAL USE ONLY The main negative contributors are linked to tourism and leisure, whose sales have been zero since confinement: Basic Fit, Signature Aviation, Dalata Hotel, Technogym and Kinepolis. Oil and BTP related names also weighed on performance. Outlook and strategies to be implemented We believe our quality growth style at a reasonable price is very relevant in a recession with long term rates remaining low for a long time, and that the winners from the crisis will be companies with good balance sheets that can withstand a few months of lower cash inflows and potentially buy out struggling competitors cheaply. One of the lasting consequences of this crisis will be the rise of the online economy: Trade, services, payments, telemedicine, credit and online insurance: We are thinking about finding new ideas in this area. We therefore place greater emphasis than ever on the visibility of future earnings, the quality of balance sheets, strong barriers to entry to protect margins, company specific growth drivers such as innovation and acquisitions; we avoid excessive valuations relative to growth and overly volatile stocks. FOR INVESTMENT PROFESSIONAL USE ONLY Ostrum Europe Smaller Companies Fund R/A (EUR) Fund Performance and Characteristics 31-Mar-2020 Trailing Returns – Net of Fees (Periods longer than one year show annualised returns) 1M 3M YTD 1Y 3Y Ann. 5Y Ann. 10Y Ann. Incep. Ann. Fund, % -18.78 -25.68 -25.68 -15.99 -3.81 -1.36 7.17 7.74 Fund with Max -18.07 -24.70 -24.70 -15.39 -3.70 -1.34 6.84 5.97 Sales Charges, % Index, % -21.28 -28.86 -28.86 -18.13 -4.33 -0.23 7.47 - Fund Characteristics Inception Date 1-Apr-1999 Reference Index MSCI Europe Small Cap Index NR EUR TER, % 2.20 % Maximum Sales Charge, % 4.00 % Redemption Charge / CDSC 0 % / - Minimum Initial Investment 1,000 EUR ISIN LU0064070138 Bloomberg Ticker CDCESCR LX NAV / Share 119.33 EUR Management Company Natixis Investment Managers S.A. Investment Manager Ostrum Asset Management Please read the prospectus and Key Investor Information carefully before investing. If the fund is registered in your jurisdiction, these documents are also available free of charge from the Natixis Investment Managers offices (im.natixis.com) and the paying agents/representatives listed below. Austria: Erste Bank der österreichischen Sparkassen AG, Am Graben 21, 1010 Vienna. France: CACEIS Bank France, 1-3, Place Valhubert, 75013 Paris. Natixis Investment Managers Distribution, 43 avenue Pierre Mendès France 75648 Paris cedex 13. Germany: Rheinland-Pfalz Bank, Grose Bleiche 54-56, D-55098 Mainz. Italy: State Street Bank GmbH – Succursale Italia, Via Ferrante Aporti, 10, 20125 Milano. Allfunds Bank S.A. Succursale di Milano, Via Santa Margherita 7, 20121 Milano. Société Générale Securities Services S.p.A., Maciachini Center - MAC 2, Via Benigno Crespi, 19/A, 20159 Milano. Luxembourg: Natixis Investment Managers S.A., 2, rue Jean Monnet, L-2180 Luxembourg. Switzerland: RBC Investor Services Bank S.A., Esch-sur-Alzette, Zurich Branch, Bleicherweg 7, CH-8027 Zurich. PERFORMANCE DATA SHOWN REPRESENTS PAST PERFORMANCE AND IS NOT A GUARANTEE OF, AND NOT INDICATIVE OF, FUTURE RESULTS. More recent performance may be lower or higher. Principal value and returns fluctuate over time (mainly as a result of currency fluctuations) so that shares, when redeemed, will be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance shown is net of all fund expenses, but does not include the effect of sales charges, taxation or paying agent charges, and assumes reinvestment of dividends. If such charges were included, returns would have been lower. Performance for other share classes will be more or less depending on differences in fees and sales charges. For further information on the performance data, including calculation of performance during periods of share class inactivity or performance including maximum sales charge, please refer to the Fund Factsheet available under Fund Documents section. For more information about potential charges such as charges relating to excessive trading or market-timing practices please refer to the Fund’s prospectus and the PHS. FOR INVESTMENT PROFESSIONAL USE ONLY Ostrum Europe Smaller Companies Fund Fund Risks 31-Mar-2020 The Fund invests primarily in shares of European companies. Regional equity investments may experience large price fluctuations and may be subject to local economic conditions. The Fund is subject to specific risks, including : Smaller Capitalization risk, Growth/Value Equities risk. An investor’s capital will be at risk, you may get back less than you invested. Please refer to the full prospectus on im.natixis.com for additional details on risks. Smaller Capitalization risk Funds investing in companies with small capitalizations may be particularly sensitive to wider price fluctuations, certain market movements and less able to sell securities quickly and easily. Growth/Value Equities risk Investments in equities tend to fluctuate more than investments in bonds, but also offer greater potential for growth. The price of equity investments may sometimes fluctuate quite dramatically in response to the activities and results of individual companies, as well as in connection with general market and economic conditions. Additionally, funds may hold equities having either a growth or value bias; prices of the growth bias equities tend to be more sensitive to certain market movements as they are often subject to factors such as future earnings expectations which may vary with changing market conditions; whereas equities with a value bias may continue to be underpriced by the market for sustained periods of time.