Investment Strategy
The Berenberg Multi Asset Defensive fund pursues a defensive global multi-asset strategy with a focus on Europe. Central to the approach is a broad diversification across asset classes, segments, sectors, currencies and regions to take advantage of beneficial correlation properties that go beyond traditional equity and bond investments. A special focus is on uncorrelated alternative investments, not only as an additional source of income but also as a source of stability. The active management of investment ratios, capital commitment periods as well as regional and sectoral allocations, especially from a risk management perspective, ensures participation in the capital markets while having a defensive investment approach.
- Modern solution for risk-aware investors
- Active positioning against a mixed market benchmark
- Maximum equity allocation of 30%
- Investment universe includes individual stocks, funds, ETFs and derivatives
Learn more about our Berenberg Multi Asset investment philosophy

Further details on the opportunities and risks of this fund can be found in the sales prospectus.
Indexed performance
Performance in 12-month periods
Currencies
Asset classes
Top Holdings
Equities - Sectors
Equities - Countries
Bonds - Sectors
Bonds - Countries
Monthly market comment
In May, market activity continued to be shaped by trade policy developments, with sentiment improving significantly: the threatened U.S. tariffs on EU goods were suspended until July 9, and many tariffs on Chinese products were reduced or suspended until August. In this environment, the S&P 500 posted its best May since 1990 with a gain of +6.3%. The Nasdaq rose by 9.1% in USD, supported by continued strength in the technology sector, while the Stoxx Europe 50 climbed 3.7%. Following another profit warning, we exited our position in UnitedHealth. In return, we added Symrise, a defensive quality stock in the fragrance and flavor segment, as well as Tencent to the portfolio. U.S. tariffs, increased risk appetite, and positive U.S. macro data led to rising yields at both ends of the yield curve. Ten-year U.S. Treasury yields briefly rose to 4.6% following weak auctions and the Moody’s downgrade. German Bunds reacted more moderately (+5 bps), and risk premiums on European IG bonds narrowed by 13 bps. Despite significant fluctuations, the gold price was nearly unchanged at the end of the month. We used a temporary dip in gold to further increase our overweight position. Despite political uncertainties, our base case remains a continued bull market, with pullbacks seen as potentially attractive entry points. We currently favor a balanced and diversified market positioning with an overweight in alternative investments, particularly gold.
Portfolio Management


Christian Bettinger
Christian Bettinger has been with the company since June 2009 and heads the Portfolio Management Fixed Income department. As fund manager of the mutual funds Berenberg Euro Bonds and Berenberg Financial Bonds, he is responsible for the selection of corporate bonds. He trained as a banker and then studied business administration at the Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt. In 2010, the business graduate was taken on early from the Berenberg trainee program as a fund manager with a focus on derivatives and bonds. Bettinger is a CFA Charterholder, Certified Financial Engineer (CFE) and authorized Eurex trader.

Dejan Djukic
Dejan Djukic heads up portfolio management at Berenberg. He is responsible for the discretionary mandates and the asset management solutions with multi-asset focus. He is a member of the Asset Allocation Committee and portfolio manager of various multi-asset strategies. After completing his Master’s degree in finance, he began his career at Commerzbank AG. Djukic was there responsible for asset allocation for asset management and fund mandates. He was also a voting member of the global investment committee and managed the bank's largest mutual funds and individual mandates. He then took over responsibility for portfolio management at DZ Privatbank S.A.. The team was responsible for the bank's large and special mandates.