Investment Strategy
Ulrich Urbahn and Dr. Konstantin Ignatov are responsible for the Berenberg Variato, a flexible multi-asset fund focused on high potential individual ideas. Long term positions in niche capital market segments are supplemented by thematic investments and tactical opportunities. Investments are made across all asset classes and regions and are deliberately benchmark-agnostic. This flexible concept is thus not tied to any predefined asset weights or asset classes. The fund’s goal is to generate sustainable and attractive returns with reduced participation in strong drawdowns while tolerating short to medium-term fluctuations in value. With multi-level risk management it targets an above-average risk/return ratio.
- Flexible-opportunistic multi-asset concept with focus on capital market niches, megatrends and tactical ideas
- The fund is not managed with regards to a market benchmark.
- Target return min. 4% p.a. after costs over a medium-term period of five years
- Dynamic und flexible allocation based on the current market environment
- The investment universe comprises individual securities, 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
Sectors
Countries
Asset classes
Top Holdings
Monthly market comment
Global financial markets were characterised by high volatility and significant portfolio reallocations in October. A rotation within the equity markets was particularly evident: whilst technology and semiconductor stocks came under pressure, defensive sectors came more into focus. The MSCI World index fell by 0.8% when measured in US dollars, but rose by around 0.8% in euros due to the stronger US dollar. At sector level, technology and telecommunications in particular recorded significant losses. By contrast, the consumer goods and healthcare sectors performed well. Energy stocks delivered the strongest sector performance against the backdrop of a further rise in oil prices. On the government bond markets, yields fell significantly, particularly at the long end of the yield curve. This was driven primarily by growing concerns about the AI sector. Investor caution also increased in the credit markets. EUR and USD investment-grade (IG) spreads widened by around 10 basis points each, whilst the widening was even more pronounced for high-yield bonds. The US dollar appreciated slightly, whilst gold lost just under 7%. In this environment, the Variato managed to limit losses despite the challenging market conditions. This was achieved in particular through balanced diversification across various asset classes and regions, as well as through active hedging of our equity exposure. Within the core portfolio, our gold investment was the main drag on performance, whilst the managed futures strategy and our exposure to a systematic, market-neutral strategy provided support. Our thematic investments in shares of commodity producers and biotechnology companies made a positive contribution to performance, whilst our thematic exposure to technology shares had a negative impact. In the tactical segment, our investments in the semiconductor sector weighed on performance, whilst our exposure to oil shares had a positive impact. Overall, the Variato has continued to maintain its positive performance since the start of the year.
Portfolio Management

Ulrich Urbahn
Ulrich Urbahn is a CFA charterholder and, for many years, was part of one of the world’s top three multi-asset research teams in the renowned Extel survey. After earning degrees in economics and mathematics from Heidelberg University, he spent more than ten years at Commerzbank, where he worked, among other roles, as a Senior Cross-Asset Strategist. He has been with Berenberg since October 2017 and heads the Portfolio Management Liquid Alternatives & Solutions as well as the Multi Asset Strategy & Research departments. In addition, he is a voting member of the Investment Committee and is responsible for capital markets communication.



