Investment Strategy
The Berenberg Sustainable Stiftung fund is a sustainable and distribution-orientated multi-asset fund that takes foundation-specific aspects into account at limited risk. The objective of the defensively oriented portfolio is to exploit opportunities and generate earnings potential in order to ensure long-term real capital preservation and the generation of steady returns. This especially includes the active management of investment ratios, the capital commitment period as well as regional and sectoral allocation. Due to the focus on the inclusion of Berenberg’s sustainability criteria in the selection process, the strategy is especially suitable for investors with social commitments or high moral and ethical standards.
- Sustainable multi-asset solution with distribution focus
- Active management within fixed ranges per asset class
- Active positioning against a mixed market benchmark
- Maximum equity allocation of 35%
- The investment universe comprises mainly single securities
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
After January and February were significantly influenced by the reported company results, the focus shifted back to the macroeconomic environment in March, in particular to inflation and growth indicators. However, there were no significant negative surprises. Together with comments from central bankers, this led to increased confidence in the market that the first interest rate cuts in the US and Europe will take place in the summer. However, due to the more persistent inflation and the robust US economy, the market is now pricing in fewer early and large interest rate cuts than at the beginning of the year. Nevertheless, the stock markets reacted positively to the development overall. The S&P index rose by 3.2% and the Nasdaq Composite by 1.8% over the course of the month. In Europe, the Stoxx Europe 50 even rose by 4.0%. The indices again reached all-time highs. The stock markets in Asia also developed positively: Nikkei +3.7% and Hang Seng +0.6%. Stock market volatility remained at a very low level in March. Yields on 10-year German and US government bonds fell by around 10 bps from 2.4% to 2.3% and by 5 bps from 4.25% to 4.2% respectively in March. The euro weakened by 0.14% against the US dollar over the course of the month. The most remarkable development in March, however, was that of gold. The price of gold rose by over 9% to EUR 2,061 and reached a new all-time high.
Portfolio Management
Oliver Brunner
Oliver Brunner, CIIA, heads the portfolio management department (core strategies) at Berenberg. He has been working in private asset management since 2007. In addition to overall responsibility for the core strategies and 1590 fund family, the graduate industrial engineer manages large special mandates for foundations, church institutions and private clients with special requirements. He completed his studies at the end of the 1990s at the Technical University of Karlsruhe; in 2006 he passed the part-time examination to become a Certified International Investment Analyst (CIIA). From 2000 to 2007, he was portfolio manager and equity analyst at Baden-Württembergische Bank AG in Stuttgart.
Christian Saalfrank
Christian Saalfrank ist seit Mai 2023 bei Berenberg. Als Co-Fondsmanager des Publikumsfonds Berenberg Sustainable Stiftung ist er im Bereich Multi Asset Income & ESG in Frankfurt mitverantwortlich für nachhaltige und ausschüttungsstarke Strategien. Er verfügt über eine langjährige Erfahrung und besondere Expertise in der Verwaltung von großen Spezialfonds für Sparkassen, Unternehmen und Kommunen. Nach einer Banklehre bei der Stadtsparkasse Nürnberg absolvierte er Mitte der 90er Jahre sein BWL Studium an der Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg. Nach dem Studium startete er seine Laufbahn als Junior Fondsmanager bei der SEB Invest. Im Jahr 2001 legte er die berufsbegleitende Prüfung zum Certified European Investment Analyst (CEFA) ab. Von 2001 bis 2021 arbeitete er als Senior Fondsmanager Multi Asset/Aktien für institutionelle Kunden bei der Helaba Invest. Zuletzt war er als Leiter Aktien bei der LeanVal Asset Management AG tätig.
Consideration of ESG Elements
Identifying companies and business models that will be successful in the long term is the basis for good investment decisions. Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) factors are key factors in decision making and are therefore integral
components of the investment process.
CO₂-Intensity
The fund does not actively manage its carbon footprint, however, emissions data such as CO2 intensity are relevant parameters which can be used to assess the efficient management of a company and the extent of transition risks.
ESG Score
The data provider MSCI ESG uses an ESG score of 0 to 10 to assess the management of material ESG risks of portfolio holdings compared to competitors.
ESG Controversies Screen
Investments in the fund are monitored for ESG controversies and, with the help of MSCI ESG data, flagged according their severity. Thereby, potential ESG risks of investments are identified. In the case of an orange flag (severe controversy), we enter into an active exchange with the company. In the case of a red flag (very severe controversy), the company is excluded.