2023 in Review: Diversification Pays Off Amid Challenges in Sustainable Investing

Steady Performance Amid Sustainable Investment Headwinds

In 2023, the RAM Stable Climate Global Equities strategy navigated a complex market environment characterised by recovery and inflationary challenges in developed markets. Despite headwinds from rising interest rates and geopolitical tensions, the strategy achieved an annual net return of 13.7%. 
This performance exceeded the MSCI World Minimum Volatility ESG Reduced Carbon Target by over 3.5%.* It also demonstrated superior Sharpe Ratio relative to many comparable sustainable strategies, which typically feature a more focused approach, emphasising market segments like low-emission industries or thematic investments, including renewable energy. Notably, this segment significantly underperformed the broader market last year, as illustrated in the figure below.

Resilient Diversification: Building Stability in Sustainable Strategies

To mitigate the risks associated with overconcentration in specific sustainable investments, the strategy employs a multi-faceted strategy. It incorporates balanced decarbonisation approaches, targeting both operational and product-driven carbon reduction. This approach is complemented by diversified exposure to various market cap segments, supported by a Machine Learning-based method for alpha prediction and optimisation. 
This strategy ensures a well-rounded portfolio with exposure to multiple factors, resulting in a balanced and resilient investment profile characterised by attractive valuations and low volatility. The fund also maintains broad sectoral representation, investing across all sectors except fossil fuels, thus ensuring comprehensive sectoral diversification.
 

Long-Term Perspective: Robust Performance in Sustainable Investing

The strategy's diversified approach has contributed to delivering steady and solid long-term performance, despite a difficult market environment for sustainable investments. It is now recognised with a 5-star rating from Morningstar in the Ecology segment (https://www.morningstar.com/content/dam/marketing/shared/research/methodology/771945_Morningstar_Rating_for_Funds_Methodology.pdf) due to its strong three-year outperformance relative to the peer group.

Current Positioning

In line with its sustainability commitments as article 9 fund under SFDR, the strategy displays a Carbon footprint and Greenhouse Gas Intensity significantly lower than the main equity index. For clarity purposes, the Global Equities investment universe referred in this document is composed of the constituents of the MSCI World Index.

The strategy also showcases strong fundamentals, with a higher dividend yield and cash flow yield than the market, positioning it favourably for a market increasingly focused on discerning investment choices across market cap segments.

__________

Important Information
The fund is a Sub-Fund of a Luxembourg SICAV with registered office: 14, Boulevard Royal L-2449 Luxembourg, approved by the CSSF and constituting a UCITS (Directive 2009/65/EC). This marketing document is only provided for information purposes to professional clients, and it does not constitute an offer, investment advice or a solicitation to subscribe shares in any jurisdiction where such an offer or solicitation would not be authorised or it would be unlawful. In particular, the Fund is not offered for sale in the United States or its territories and possessions, nor to any US Person (citizens or residents of the United States of America). Note to investors domiciled in Singapore: shares of the Sub-Fund offered in Singapore are restricted schemes under the Sixth Schedule to the Securities and Futures (Offers of Investments) (Collective Investment Schemes) Regulations of Singapore. This document is confidential and is intended only for the use of the person to whom it was delivered; it may not be reproduced or distributed. There is no guarantee that the holdings shown will be held in the future. The investment described concerns the acquisition of shares in the SubFund and not in a specific underlying asset. Past performance is not a guide to current or future results. There is no guarantee to get back the full amount invested. The performance data do not take into account fees and expenses charged on subscription and redemption of shares nor any taxes that may be levied. As a subscription fee calculation example, if an investor invests EUR 1000 in a fund with a subscription fee of 5%, the investor will pay to his financial intermediary EUR 47.62 on the investment amount, resulting with a subscribed amount of EUR 952.38 in fund shares. In addition, potential account keeping costs (by investor’s custodian) may reduce the performance. Some shares in the Sub-Fund may apply a performance fee. Please refer to the section “Fees and Charges” and to the “Glossary” in this document for further details. Leverage intensifies the risk of potential increased losses or returns. RAM Active Investments may decide to terminate the marketing arrangement in place in any given country in accordance with Article 93a of Directive 2009/65/EC. Changes in exchange rates may cause the NAV per share in the investor's base currency to fluctuate. Particular attention is paid to the contents of this document but no guarantee, warranty or representation, express or implied, is given to the accuracy, correctness or completeness thereof. Prior to any transaction, clients should check whether it is suited to their personal situation, and analyse the specific risks incurred, especially financial, legal and tax risks, and consult professional advisers if necessary. Please refer to the Key Investor Information Document and prospectus with special attention to the risk warnings before investing. For further information on ESG, please refer to https://www.ram-ai.com/en/regulatory-information and the relevant Sub-Fund webpage. The prospectus, constitutive documents and financial reports are available in English and French while KIIDs are available in the relevant local languages. These documents can be obtained, free of charge, from the SICAVs’ and Management Company’s head office and www.ram-ai.com, its representative and distributor in Switzerland, RAM Active Investments S.A. and the relevant local representatives in the distribution countries. A summary of Investors’ rights is available on: https://www.ram-ai.com/en/regulatory-information Issued in Switzerland by RAM Active Investments S.A. which is authorised and regulated in Switzerland by the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA). Issued in the European Union and the EEA by the authorised and regulated Management Company, RAM Active Investments (Europe) S.A., 51 av. John F. Kennedy L-1855 Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. The source of the above-mentioned information (except if stated otherwise) is RAM Active Investments and the date of reference is the date of this document.