Numerous macro and microeconomic tailwinds supported the equity markets in May (MSCI Europe NR +3.3%, MSCI USA NR +4.7%). Good earnings reports reassured investors and highlighted the attractive valuations in Europe and the United States for the vast majority of listed companies. In addition, the drop in oil prices in May led to a fall in inflation expectations on both sides of the Atlantic, reinforcing the central scenario of an imminent rate cut by the ECB, before the Fed follows suit in September. Even if seasonality becomes less buoyant, it still seems premature to reduce equity exposure and may even be costly to stay away from equity markets, despite the recent rise in equity indices. All the more so as some market segments (small and mid caps) have been lagging significantly for many months, leading to a valuation discount, and this could support the prospects for the relative performance of our active ‘Momentum’ Digital Stars strategy.
Digital Stars Europe Acc posted a monthly performance of +5.1%, outperforming by +1.8% the MSCI Europe NR (+3.3%). The fund is up +14.0% YTD, beating its index by +3.8%. Our overweight positions in industry and finance helped the fund this month, as did our underweight position in consumer discretionary (particularly luxury goods). More importantly, however, it was the good earnings reports from many of our companies (Buzzi, Prysmian, Indra Sistemas, Camurus) that enabled us to widen the gap, despite a few disappointments.
The portfolio reviews carried out in May were diversified, increasing significantly our positions in the industry, as well as in the consumer discretionary sectors. Among the exits were mainly finance, IT and real estate stocks. The weight of Sweden was significantly decreased.
Digital Stars Europe is significantly overweight industry, and slightly overweight finance and real estate. The fund is underweight healthcare, consumer staples and consumer discretionary.
Italy (largest overweight) remains the fund’s top weight at 16.9%, ahead of the UK at 15.2% and Germany at 8.0%.
Digital Stars Continental Europe Acc ended May at +5.3%, outperforming by +1.6% the MSCI Europe ex UK NR (+3.6%). The fund is up +13.9% YTD, beating its index by +4.0%. Our overweight position in industry helped the fund this month, as did our underweight position in consumer discretionary (particularly luxury goods). More importantly, however, it was the good earnings reports from many of our companies (Buzzi, ALK-abello, Camurus, Prysmian, Indra Sistemas) that enabled us to widen the gap, despite a few disappointments.
The portfolio reviews carried out in May were diversified, increasing significantly our positions in industry, as well as in materials. Among the exits were mainly stocks in the finance, real estate and IT sectors. The weight of Sweden was significantly decreased.
Digital Stars Continental Europe is overweight in industry, as well as in real estate. The fund is underweight healthcare, consumer staples and consumer discretionary.
Italy (largest overweight) is still the fund’s top weight at 18.7%, ahead of Germany and Sweden at 11.4%.
Digital Stars Eurozone Acc posted a monthly performance of +5.4%, outperforming by +2.6% the MSCI EMU NR (+2.7%). The fund is up +16.5% YTD, beating its index by +5.4%. The fund benefited from its all-cap positioning and from its underweight in energy. The underweight in luxury goods also helped, thanks in particular to the underperformance of LVMH, absent from the portfolio. More importantly, however, it was the good earnings publications from some of our stocks (SÜSS MicroTec, Prysmian, ANIMA HoldingIndra Sistemas, Camurus) that enabled us to widen the gap.
The rebalancing carried out in May saw the integration of IT stocks, as well as materials and media. On the outgoing side, the consumer discretionary, finance and industry sectors.
The media sector becomes the largest overweight, ahead of consumer discretionary and real estate. The fund is underweight in consumer staples, utilities, energy and healthcare.
France remains the largest country weight at 26.0%, followed by Italy at 20.0% and Germany at 15.5%. Italy remains the fund’s most overweight country, and Germany the most underweight with of France.
Digital Stars Europe Smaller Companies Acc ended up +6.1% in May, outperforming by +0.2% the MSCI Europe Small Cap NR (+5.8%). The fund is up +13.2% YTD, beating its index by +4.5%. Positive publications from several of our stocks (Ambea, SÜSS MicroTec, Buzzi, Heijmans) enabled the fund to outperform the index, despite a few disappointments.
The monthly portfolio reviews have strengthened our positions in the IT and healthcare sectors. Sales occurred mainly in consumer discretionary sector. The weight of Italy was significantly decreased.
The portfolio is now mainly overweight in industrials and IT, and underweight in finance, real estate and consumer discretionary.
Sweden (one of the two most overweight countries, along with Italy) is still the biggest country weight in the portfolio and weighs 17.6%, ahead of the UK (most underweight country) at 17.3% and Italy at 12.6%.
Digital Stars US Equities Acc USD was up +6.5% in May, outperforming by +1.8% both the MSCI USA NR (+4.7%) and the MSCI USA Small Cap NR (+4.7%). The fund is up +11.0% YTD, beating its index by +0.3%. Positive publications from several of our stocks (Abercrombie & Fitch, Gap, AppLovin, SEMrush, e.l.f. Beauty) enabled the fund to outperform the index, despite a few disappointments.
The latest monthly portfolio review mainly increased the positions in the healthcare, IT and consumer discretionary sectors, and reduced mainly those real estate sector.
The portfolio is significantly overweight in consumer discretionary and industry, as well as in finance. The most underweight sectors are IT, media and healthcare.
