Threadneedle American Fund

Transcription

1 Interim Short Report 7 September 2018 Fund Manager s Report Nadia Grant Performance of Class 1 Accumulation shares* Over the six months to 7 September 2018, the published of the has risen from p to p. Looking at the sterling performance within its peer group, the total return on the fund for the six months ending 31 August 2018, including net reinvested income, is 13.23% as compared to a median return of % over the same period. (For information the S&P 500 Composite Index returned % over the same period). Market Overview and Portfolio Activity US equities made solid gains during the period under the review, as persistently strong economic markers and corporate results in the US overcame fears around trade wars, sanctions and political uncertainty in Europe. Earlier in the period, US President Donald Trump unsettled markets by pulling out of the Iran nuclear deal and aiming various new import tariffs at China and Europe. Subsequently, with the Turkish lira already in freefall, President Trump ramped up an ongoing diplomatic row with the country by doubling import tariffs on Turkish steel and aluminium. Trade war fears continued to wax and wane. The US-China talks in August achieved little, but towards the end of the period news of a deal between the US and Mexico provided a tailwind for equities. As August drew to a close, US stocks weakened somewhat as reports emerged that Trump intended to press ahead with more tariffs against China, but this was not enough to erase earlier gains. The US economy continued to provide support for equities. Jobcreation figures remained strong and unemployment fell to an 18-year low in May. Strong earnings reports from US companies and an unexpectedly high GDP number added more fuel to the rally. By the end of the period, almost all of the S&P 500 constituents had posted their results and were on track for an average earnings growth of around 25%. Second-quarter GDP growth was revised up to an annualised rate of 4.2% (from the initial estimate of 4.1%). The robust backdrop saw the Federal Reserve take a more hawkish turn. The central bank raised interest rates in June as expected, but also increased its projections for the pace of future rate hikes. *In pound Sterling and against UK peer group. New positions over the period included Thermo Fisher, Nvidia, Mondelez, Xylem, Steel Dynamics, and BioMarin Pharmaceutical, among others. A leading maker of scientific instruments, Thermo Fisher should be able to maintain or accelerate its organic growth rate, following recent acquisitions. Earnings could exceed expectations given the recent deals and impressive sales growth. Thermo Fisher is also reasonably priced, with room for modest multiple expansion. Nvidia designs chip and graphics-processing units. Demand for semiconductors has grown rapidly in recent years, as machines and devices worldwide have become ever-more data intensive. The growth of technologies including autonomous vehicles, the internet of things and AI promises to drive semiconductor demand further, and companies such as Nvidia should among be the key beneficiaries. With the next gaming-upgrade cycle imminent, Nvidia is well placed to exceed consensus results estimates over the next year. Strong Q2 results, including beats on organic growth and margins, show that Mondelez s turnaround is on track. The company is exposed to relatively fast-growing markets and is trading at historically cheap levels. Occupying a strong position in water management, Xylem is growing faster than its broader sector thanks to new products and technologies. The company should continue to see margin expansion through Steel Dynamics is a quality business supported by a strong economic backdrop. The stock is trading at a discount to company fundamentals and does not reflect current steel prices. BioMarin is trading at levels that don t fully price in the company s pipeline. The business is likely to pick up further momentum with the forthcoming commercial launch of products such as Pegvaliase, which gained approval from the US Food and Drug Administration at the end of May. Sales included Micron Technology, Tapestry, Berkshire Hathaway, Pfizer and Halliburton. Looking ahead, the backdrop remains very supportive for US equities. These are set to benefit domestically from strong economic momentum that is further boosted by tax reforms and, internationally, from a synchronised global recovery. From a structural point of view, we expect that the transition from quantitative easing to quantitative tightening will send market volatility higher. This should favour stock-pickers. Fund Facts Fund Accounting and Distribution Dates Accounting Dates Payment Dates 7 March 7 May Ongoing Charges Figure The Ongoing Charges Figure (OCF) is the European standard method of disclosing the charges of a share class of a fund based on the financial year s expenses and may vary from year to year. It includes charges such as the fund s annual management charge, registration fee, custody fees and distribution cost but ordinarily excludes the costs of buying or selling assets for the fund (unless these assets are shares of another fund). Where published, the Key Investor Information Document (KIID) contains the current OCF. For a more detailed breakdown please visit columbiathreadneedle.com/fees. Share class 7 September March 2018 Class 1 Income shares 1.64% 1.63% Class 1 EUR Income shares % Class 1 Accumulation shares 1.63% 1.63% Class 1 EUR Accumulation shares % Class 1 USD Accumulation shares % Class 1 EUR Hedged Accumulation shares 1.62% 1.63%

2 Share class 7 September March 2018 Class 2 Accumulation shares 1.06% 1.06% Class 2 EUR Accumulation shares % Class 2 USD Accumulation shares % Class X Accumulation shares 0.06% 0.06% Class Z Income shares 0.83% 0.83% Class Z Accumulation shares 0.83% 0.83% Class Z USD Accumulation shares % Class Z EUR Hedged Accumulation shares 0.83% 0.83% The Ongoing Charges Figure is annualised based on the fees incurred during the accounting period or since commencement date. 1 Commenced 15 June Summary of Fund Performance Performance History (%) Share class Class 1 Income shares Class 1 EUR Income shares Class 1 Accumulation shares Class 1 EUR Accumulation shares Class 1 USD Accumulation shares Class 1 EUR Hedged Accumulation shares Class 2 Accumulation shares Class 2 EUR Accumulation shares Class 2 USD Accumulation shares Class X Accumulation shares Class Z Income shares Class Z Accumulation shares Class Z USD Accumulation shares Class Z EUR Hedged Accumulation shares To 31 August Commenced 15 June Commenced 20 September Source: Morningstar and Threadneedle. Bid to bid prices are quoted (i.e. not including any initial charge) with net income reinvested for a UK basic rate tax payer and gross income reinvested for a non-uk resident. Performance data is quoted in sterling, apart from hedged share classes, where applicable, which are in the hedged currency. Past performance is not a guide to future investment performance. The value of investments and any income is not guaranteed and can go down as well as up and may be affected by exchange rate fluctuations. This means that an investor may not get back the amount invested. Net Asset Value (NAV) As at Share class NAV ( ) NAV pence Number of shares in issue 7 September 2018 Class 1 Income shares 1,290, ,193 7 March 2018 Class 1 Income shares 4,803, ,684,411 7 March 2017 Class 1 Income shares 6,091, ,250,851 7 March 2016 Class 1 Income shares 4,854, ,479,894 7 September 2018 Class 1 EUR Income shares 4,136, ,282,636 7 September 2018 Class 1 Accumulation shares 409,086, ,822,514 7 March 2018 Class 1 Accumulation shares 485,727, ,279,598 7 March 2017 Class 1 Accumulation shares 583,445, ,539,877 7 March 2016 Class 1 Accumulation shares 530,520, ,020,970 7 September 2018 Class 1 EUR Accumulation shares 39,411, ,218,128 7 September 2018 Class 1 USD Accumulation shares 131,496, ,765,832 7 September 2018 Class 1 EUR Hedged Accumulation shares 6,572, ,016,114 7 March 2018 Class 1 EUR Hedged Accumulation shares 4,750, ,522,027 7 March 2017 Class 1 EUR Hedged Accumulation shares 3,156, ,220,851 7 March 2016 Class 1 EUR Hedged Accumulation shares 3,126, ,591,411 7 September 2018 Class 2 Accumulation shares 1,011,167, ,919,928 7 March 2018 Class 2 Accumulation shares 1,235,583, ,761,073 7 March 2017 Class 2 Accumulation shares 1,000,698, ,406,571 7 March 2016 Class 2 Accumulation shares 940,787, ,711,104

3 As at Share class NAV ( ) NAV pence Number of shares in issue 7 September 2018 Class 2 EUR Accumulation shares 110,048, ,137,928 7 September 2018 Class 2 USD Accumulation shares 235,983, ,626,635 7 September 2018 Class X Accumulation shares 302,937, ,900,710 7 March 2018 Class X Accumulation shares 247,115, ,508,964 7 March 2017 Class X Accumulation shares 159,516, ,409,227 7 March 2016 Class X Accumulation shares 6, ,000 7 September 2018 Class Z Income shares 28,396, ,418,914 7 March 2018 Class Z Income shares 22,354, ,312,193 7 March 2017 Class Z Income shares 19,864, ,747,635 7 March 2016 Class Z Income shares 16,342, ,961,959 7 September 2018 Class Z Accumulation shares 384,964, ,433,842 7 March 2018 Class Z Accumulation shares 376,544, ,521,910 7 March 2017 Class Z Accumulation shares 393,088, ,018,806 7 March 2016 Class Z Accumulation shares 323,644, ,830,276 7 September 2018 Class Z USD Accumulation shares 38,187, ,533,818 7 September 2018 Class Z EUR Hedged Accumulation shares 650, ,285 7 March 2018 Class Z EUR Hedged Accumulation shares 567, ,276 7 March 2017 Class Z EUR Hedged Accumulation shares 449, ,276 7 March 2016 Class Z EUR Hedged Accumulation shares 180, ,750 Distribution History/Share Price Range Highest Lowest Year to Share class Pence 7 September 2018 Class 1 Income shares March 2018 Class 1 Income shares March 2017 Class 1 Income shares March 2016 Class 1 Income shares September 2018 Class 1 EUR Income shares September 2018 Class 1 Accumulation shares March 2018 Class 1 Accumulation shares March 2017 Class 1 Accumulation shares March 2016 Class 1 Accumulation shares September 2018 Class 1 EUR Accumulation shares September 2018 Class 1 USD Accumulation shares September 2018 Class 1 EUR Hedged Accumulation shares March 2018 Class 1 EUR Hedged Accumulation shares March 2017 Class 1 EUR Hedged Accumulation shares March 2016 Class 1 EUR Hedged Accumulation shares September 2018 Class 2 Accumulation shares March 2018 Class 2 Accumulation shares March 2017 Class 2 Accumulation shares March 2016 Class 2 Accumulation shares September 2018 Class 2 EUR Accumulation shares September 2018 Class 2 USD Accumulation shares September 2018 Class X Accumulation shares March 2018 Class X Accumulation shares March 2017 Class X Accumulation shares March 2016 Class X Accumulation shares September 2018 Class Z Income shares March 2018 Class Z Income shares March 2017 Class Z Income shares March 2016 Class Z Income shares September 2018 Class Z Accumulation shares March 2018 Class Z Accumulation shares March 2017 Class Z Accumulation shares March 2016 Class Z Accumulation shares

4 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% Highest Lowest Year to Share class Pence 7 September 2018 Class Z USD Accumulation shares September 2018 Class Z EUR Hedged Accumulation shares March 2018 Class Z EUR Hedged Accumulation shares March 2017 Class Z EUR Hedged Accumulation shares March 2016 Class Z EUR Hedged Accumulation shares Commenced 15 June Past performance is not a guide to future performance. Classification of Investments 7 September March vs 7 vs March 7 March % 20% 7 September March % 10% 5% 0% Technology Financials Portfolio Information Health care Consumer services Industrials Top Five Holdings as at 7 September 2018 % of Fund Microsoft 5.64 Apple 5.42 Amazon.com 5.01 Alphabet Class A 4.49 JPMorgan Chase 3.48 Oil & gas Consumer goods Basic materials Utilities Collective investment schemes Net other assets Top Five Holdings as at 7 March 2018 % of Fund Microsoft 4.83 Apple 4.83 Amazon.com 4.14 JPMorgan Chase 3.69 Bank of America 3.32

5 Investment Objective and Policy To achieve capital growth. The ACD s investment policy is to invest the assets of the Fund primarily in the stock of medium to large companies domiciled in North America or which have significant North American operations. If the ACD considers it desirable, it may further invest in other securities (including fixed interest securities, other equities and money market securities). Key Investor Information Document (KIID) Subscription requirements The KIID is a pre-contractual document and investors have to confirm that they have read the latest KIID before making a subscription. Threadneedle has the right to reject a subscription if the investor does not confirm that they have read the latest KIID at the time of application. Investors can obtain the latest KIID from columbiathreadneedle.com. Changes to the management of the ACD The following changes have been made to the directors of the ACD: Resignation of Don Jordison on 1 May Appointment of Peter Stone on 5 September Changes to the Prospectus During the period from 8 March 2018 to 7 September 2018 the following changes were made to the Prospectus of the Threadneedle Investment Funds ICVC (the Company): Inclusion of information about the use of Hong Kong Stock Connect by certain funds; Updated privacy statement for GDPR; Inclusion of a note regarding the winding up of four sub-funds following successful votes in favour of cross-border mergers; Increase to the initial investment minimum for L Shares; Update to the list of funds managed by the ACD; Update to the list of countries where the funds are registered; Update to the list of available share classes, including deletion of a hedged share class for the European Fund; General updates (taxation, dilution, performance, etc). Changes to the Instrument of Incorporation There were no changes to the instrument of incorporation of the Company during the period from 8 March 2018 to 7 September Brexit In June 2016 the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union. This is known as Brexit. While negotiations progress, there is significant uncertainty relating to the UK s withdrawal from the EU, the potential consequences and precise timeframe. It is expected that the UK will exit from the EU on 29 March Depending on the outcome of the UK s negotiations with the European Union, and the existence or otherwise of any formal implementation period, it is possible that the Funds may no longer be eligible to enjoy the rights set out in the UCITS Directive. Ceasing to be so eligible may affect the ability of non-uk domiciled investors to make new investments in the Company. The ACD has considered the impact of Brexit for investors in its funds and made a recommendation to investors in the European Corporate Bond Fund, European High Yield Bond Fund, Pan European Fund and Pan European Smaller Companies Fund that they should vote in favour of a resolution to transfer the funds, using a cross-border UCITS merger, to an equivalent Luxembourg-based fund, in order to provide continuity and certainty for investors. For EU investors, the transfers will remove uncertainty regarding the future status of their investment in their home country. Shareholders voted in favour of the proposal at a meeting of shareholders held on 24 August Following the mergers, which took place on the dates as set out in the table below, the European Corporate Bond Fund, European High Yield Bond Fund, Pan European Fund and Pan European Smaller Companies Fund closed and are now in the process of being wound up. Further information, including a Q&A document is available at Fund Date of Merger European Corporate Bond Fund 22 September 2018 European High Yield Bond Fund 6 October 2018 Pan European Fund 6 October 2018 Pan European Smaller Companies Fund 6 October 2018 Key Risks Investment Risk: The value of investments can fall as well as rise and investors might not get back the sum originally invested. Currency Risk: Where investments are in assets that are denominated in multiple currencies, or currencies other than your own, changes in exchange rates may affect the value of the investments. Derivatives for EPM/Hedging Risk: The investment policy of the fund allows it to invest in derivatives for the purposes of reducing risk or minimising the cost of transactions. Volatility Risk: The fund may exhibit significant price volatility. Further risks applicable to the fund can be found in the Prospectus. Risk and Reward Profile As at 7 September 2018 the figure for the risk and reward profile disclosed in the most recent KIID representing this fund is 5. The fund is in this specific category because historically it has shown a medium to high level of volatility (how much the value of the fund went up and down compared to other categories). It is based on past performance data in pound sterling. If your investment in the fund is not in pound sterling, please check the figure for the risk and reward profile disclosed on our website (columbiathreadneedle.com) according to the currency of your investment in the fund.

6 General Information The information in this report is designed to enable shareholders to make an informed judgement on the activities of the fund during the period it covers and the results of those activities at the end of the period. For further information, please contact Threadneedle Investment Services Limited. The Long Form Report and Financial Statements is available free of charge on request from the ACD and on our website. For more information about the activities and performance of the Company during the period and previous periods, please contact the ACD at the administration address noted below, or visit our website at columbiathreadneedle.com. Contacts: Registered Office Cannon Place 78 Cannon Street London EC4N 6AG Authorised Corporate Director (ACD) Threadneedle Investment Services Limited Cannon Place 78 Cannon Street London EC4N 6AG Registrar Threadneedle Investment Services Limited Delegated to: DST Financial Services Europe Limited (Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)) St Nicholas Lane Basildon Essex SS15 5FS Investment Manager Threadneedle Asset Management Limited Cannon Place 78 Cannon Street London EC4N 6AG Authorised Corporate Director Client Services Details UK Investors Address: Threadneedle Investment Services Limited PO Box Chelmsford Essex CM99 2AL Telephone (dealing & customer enquiries): * Fax (dealing): (enquiries): Asian Investors Address: Threadneedle Investment Services Limited International Financial Data Services 47, avenue JF Kennedy L-1855 Luxembourg Telephone (dealing & customer enquiries): * Fax (dealing): (enquiries): *Calls will be recorded. All Other Investors Address: Threadneedle Investment Services Limited International Financial Data Services 47, avenue JF Kennedy L-1855 Luxembourg Telephone (dealing & customer enquiries): * Fax (dealing): (enquiries): Website: columbiathreadneedle.com Depositary Citibank Europe plc, UK branch (Authorised by the Prudential Regulatory Authority (PRA) and regulated by the FCA and PRA) Citigroup Centre 33 Canada Square Canary Wharf London E14 5LB Legal Advisers Eversheds LLP One Wood Street London EC2V 7WS Baum Financial Services Law Team Grosser Burstah Hamburg Germany Independent Auditor PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP Atria One 144 Morrison Street Edinburgh EH3 8EX Paying and Information Agent in Belgium CACEIS Belgium S.A. Avenue du Port 86C B Brussels Belgium Representative and Paying Agent in Switzerland BNP Paribas Securities Services, Paris, Succursale de Zurich Selnaustrasse Zurich Switzerland To find out more visit columbiathreadneedle.com Threadneedle Investment Services Limited, ISA Manager, Authorised Corporate Director and Unit Trust Manager. Registered No Registered in England and Wales. Registered Office: Cannon Place, 78 Cannon Street, London EC4N 6AG. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Columbia Threadneedle Investments is the global brand name of the Columbia and Threadneedle group of companies. columbiathreadneedle.com