Winners rationale

The MSCI Europe and MSCI EMU indices made strong gains in 2017, generating returns of 26.24% and 28.99% (in USD terms), respectively. The economic backdrop remained encouraging, supported by last year’s sustained economic recovery and diminishing political risks, along with a rise in shareholder activism, M&A activities and share buybacks.

These dynamics contributed to demand, not only from local European investors, but also from Asian HNWIs. The region’s private banks also proactively increased their exposure to European equity. This shift was especially noticeable and also fueled by the outcome of the French elections which saw pro-centrist Emmanuel Macron succeed in his bid for the presidency, dispelling concerns over a rise in populism.

Wellington Management has broad range of Europe equity strategies on offer, including traditional long-only and long-short. The firm’s European equity strategies offer solutions to clients with a diverse selection of choices across varying risk and return profiles. Most recently, the asset manager has launched a new European small cap solution, offering an expanded Europe equity range.

One of its strategies, the Strategic European Equity Fund – a bottom-up, high-conviction all-cap strategy with a long track record – gained traction among clients over the past year and features on suggested fund lists at many private banks. The fund achieved strong risk-adjusted excess returns, on a one-year, three-year, and five-year basis as of the end of December 2017.

With a team of more than 660 investment professionals, over 300 of whom focus on equities, and boasting an average of 17 years’ experience, the firm draws on a robust body of proprietary research and collaborative culture to help clients achieve their long-term objectives.

In recognition of this deep commitment to bring the full breadth of its investment capabilities to Asia, private banking gatekeepers in the region saw fit to select Wellington Management as Asian Private Banker’s Best Fund Provider – Europe Equity.