– Overall, 2020 has been a challenging year nevertheless we managed great achievements:

• tying a new partnership with $60bn group and one of largest independent investment group,
• rolling out 3 new funds and adding Emerging Markets funds to our Ucits range,
• ensuring 100% work continuity with Covid,
• transitioning to further digital tools and marketing,
• reinforcing our fund Due Diligence & Monitoring services team
• taking over many new clients (from large institutions to HNW),
• renewing our commitment to French Charity ‘La Chaine de l’Espoir’,
• rolling out K Women and the first program ‘Leader’s Tips – Off record with Top European Leaders’, thanks to some great CEOs

– November was one the strongest month on record for global equities following the US election and more importantly several announcements related to covid-19 vaccines. This strong rebound was led by cyclical and value sectors like Energy and Financials while defensive and growth sectors like Technology and Healthcare lagged behind. Despite the current exuberance towards value stocks, we remain convinced that quality growth funds (World, US, Europe, Thematics, Latin America) will keep their attractiveness since the economic conditions that prevailed before the pandemic, i.e. low growth, low inflation and strong support from monetary policies resulting in low interest rates, are likely to last for a prolonged period.

– We are about to launch a new innovative ESG Ucits fund in partnership with a large established manager. News to come on this early in the new year. 

– Global markets had a rollercoaster month in October. Equities started well on hopes of a solid Q3 results season and another fiscal stimulus in the US but eventually gave back all their gains as democrats and republicans couldn’t agree on a new package and faster-than-expected rise of Covid infections triggered more lockdown restrictions.  Since US Elections, vaccines press announcements and headlines have generated volatility.

 – Across the fund range, performance was challenged in October, nevertheless since the beginning of 2020, 100% of our funds are strongly outperforming their benchmarks.

– Global equities fell in September following five consecutive months of positive performance. Several reasons were given to explain this downward move including profit-taking ahead of the US elections, fears that the economic recovery may stall due to the second wave of infections and uncertainties related to the next round of US fiscal stimulus. Considering the months ahead and majors headlines to come (US Elections, Covid, Brexit,…), high volatility should be expected.

– Overall, most partners funds demonstrated resilience in September and outperformed their respective benchmark. Year-to-date, relative to benchmarks, the fund range (ex EM) is performing strongly.

– We hosted our second ‘K Women – Leader’s tips’ (off record with Top European Leaders) in Paris on October 8^th with as guest incredibly talented Christine Jacglin, CEO of French Banque Palatine (BPCE) and who has headed several other banks before.

– Despite last week’s first correction in large US tech stocks since March, it seems markets are remaining confident. Many managers suggest this correction provides a fresh buying opportunity and a supportive case for equity valuations. In terms of year-to-date performance all of our partners funds (ex-Emerging Markets) are back into positive territory. 

– We hosted our first ‘K Women Leader’s tips’ (off-record with Top European Leaders) initiative in Paris last week which received strong positive feedback. We were honoured to have as our first guest speaker Inès de Dinechin, awarded in 2019: Top Sustainable European CEO, and 6 times in the Top 100 Most Influential Women in Finance in Europe. Next K Women event on October 8 !