Investment Strategy
The Berenberg Merger Arbitrage is an equity-based absolute return fund that pursues a specialised merger arbitrage strategy. The fund aims to achieve absolute returns while protecting investors' capital by exploiting price differences arising from publicly announced mergers, acquisitions, corporate restructurings or similar transactions. The fund aims to achieve long-term capital growth and outperform the money market (as measured by the €STR).
The fund's investment strategy aims to generate attractive absolute returns, regardless of general stock market performance. Due to its historically low correlation with traditional market indices, the fund offers investors diversification within the overall portfolio. Through broadly diversified investments in various M&A transactions, sectors and regions, the fund aims to achieve a stable risk/return profile with low volatility. The investment strategy aims to exploit inefficiencies in the pricing of company acquisitions and mergers and is based on the difference between the market price of a target company and the announced acquisition price.
Further details on the opportunities and risks of this fund can be found in the sales prospectus.
Monthly market comment
After a good six weeks of build-up, around 68% of the portfolio is invested, with further allocations being made selectively. The M&A market remains active: almost a dozen deals were concluded at the end of the month - including Fortnox, SpringWorks and Juniper Networks. The smooth Juniper deal by HPE sends a positive signal - comparable US deals have been trading tighter since then. We continue to monitor Mars-Kellanova; spread widening after cautious tones from Brussels. As at the reporting date, the portfolio comprises exactly 30 positions - 49% Europe, 51% North America. The average holding period is around 4 months. New spreads continue to remunerate the risk attractively, particularly in Europe (median spread approx. 8% p.a.). Key positions: Takeaway.com, Covestro, Footlocker, Verallia, Grupo Catalana Occidente. The market is showing structural strength: antitrust proceedings are becoming more predictable, financing is available and buyers are acting with more confidence. Merger arbitrage remains well positioned, both tactically and strategically.
Portfolio Management

