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FundsIndia Reviews: NFOs that Invest in Europe

January 22, 2014 . Vidya Bala

For a Slice of the European Growth Story

If 2013 kindled your interest in the US markets, then 2014 could well be the year of the European growth story, think fund managers. Hence, the launch of a couple of European-based funds and another fund house literally changing its global investing mandate to specifically focus on the Euro land.

Does the European continent offer opportunities for you as an investor at this point? It could, if you believed that the European recovery is seeing steady progress supported by the ECB’s accommodative monetary policy to aid growth.

Prolonged contraction since 2008 may be nearing its end in the European region, what with the IMF forecasting a growth of 1.5% in the region in 2015.

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europe_1_28jan

Here are a few points that seem to suggest that there could be some triggers that could benefit the markets in the region:

  • The IMF has stated that the Euro area economies may be moving to positive growth from recession over the next 3 years. The GDP growth of larger economies there such as UK, Germany and France are already positive. The turnaround in the continent is also captured in the markets already, with Europe equities returning 25% in 2013 (next only to US and Japan).

  • The region has seen an improvement in its current account balance with a pick-up in exports and contraction of imports. The ECB also took comfort from the directional change, cutting policy rate in November 2013, giving an indication of focusing on growth.

  • Parts of Europe can be expected to benefit from a pick up in the US economy as Europe remains a large export economy. Exports account for close to a fifth of the GDP of the European Union region. Such a proportion is high when compared with developed economies.

  • On the corporate side, European companies are said to have around 50% of their total revenue derived from other nations. This is higher than similar numbers for the US and provides diversification to its revenue stream.

  • Signs of recovery in the manufacturing space is now visible in the region, with the Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) moving above 50 for countries such as UK, Italy, Germany and Eurozone, indicating growth in manufacturing.

  • The valuation in Europe, as can be seen from the chart below, is lower than other developed and emerging regions thus providing scope for entering the market now. Also, while earnings in the region are still stabilizing, the MSCI Europe is still about 21% away from its high in 2007, unlike other markets that have crossed their earlier highs. This provides scope for the European market to gain from a rally without valuations turning expensive.

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table2

NFOs that offer the European theme

JP Morgan European Dynamic Equity Offshore Fund: This fund-of-fund will invest in its parent fund – JP Morgan Funds – Europe Dynamic Fund; the latter has been in existence since late 2000 and has delivered returns of 17.8% compounded annually in the last 5 years (returns in foreign currency).

The parent fund will invest across the region with no specific sector, market cap or regional bias. As of November 2013, this fund had a 34% exposure to UK, followed by France and Germany. As can be expected, cyclical sectors such as industrials and financials were among the top weights although the fund was underweight on financials when compared with the benchmark.

The NFO closes on January 31.

Religare Invesco Pan European Equity FundThis will also be a fund-of-fund that will invest in Invesco Pan European Equity Fund; the latter has an asset size of about Euro 2.23 billion ( about Rs 18,922 crore). The underlying fund has about 65-75 stocks and has a large-cap bias, although it can take exposure to smaller companies. Novartis, Roche, British Petroleum are some of the top names in its portfolio.

This fund has top exposure to financials followed by industrials  and consumer discretionary. UK and France are again the top holdings in this fund as well. The fund delivered about 19.2% annually in the last 5 years (in foreign currency).

The NFO closes on January 29.

DWS Top Euroland Offshore FundThis fund-of-fund is not an NFO. Earlier called DWS Global Thematic Offshore Fund, the fund’s mandate has now changed. The FoF will invest in underlying fund – DWS Invest Top Euroland, and is available for subscription on an ongoing basis.

What should you do?

Investors may note that they would take currency risk in these investments with Euro being the dominant currency. However, it is noteworthy that the low correlation of the European market when compared with India means that the region provides a good diversifying opportunity if you already hold Indian equities.

That said, investors would do well to use these options as diversifiers as over longer periods of 10 years or more, Indian market, being an emerging one, has shown to deliver superior returns. Besides, as the Indian economy too is in a consolidation phase, any gains from here is best captured by investing locally as well. A 10% exposure may at best be what is warranted in the European market.

If you have goals such as educating your kids in Europe, then investments in such funds would be a good way to manage the currency risk. But do take an active profit booking strategy if you see high double digit returns at the end of a year or two.

Capital gains indexation benefit will be available to these funds, similar to debt funds.

Investing in NFO is made simple with FundsIndia. Open a free FundsIndia account in less than 20 minutes for NFO investing.

26 thoughts on “FundsIndia Reviews: NFOs that Invest in Europe

  1. Out of these three funds any suggestions on the best two.
    also since these are FoFs will the expense ratio be higher.

    1. Chaitanya, we do not have active calls on intl. funds. Yes, FoF expense ratio will be higher but NAv returns are post such expense and returns have been godo in the past year. You may choose between Religare Invesco and JP Morgan, although we are more familiar with the latter in the Indian market than Invesco, which si relatively new (tied with Religare). thanks.

    1. CUMULATIVE RETURNS
      Scheme Name DWS Invest Top Euroland FC Invesco Pan European Equity C Acc JPM Europe Dynamic C (acc)-EUR MSCI Europe NR EUR
      Inception Date 6/3/2002 8/9/1999 8/26/2004 12/31/1998
      Fund Size in INR 8,603.94 19,575.71 5,568.42
      Fund Size Date 23-Dec-13 20-Dec-13 20-Dec-13
      YTD cumulative 48.3% 56.2% 54.8% 39.7%
      1 Y returns cumulative 52.5% 64.0% 61.7% 44.7%
      3 Y returns cumulative 102.9% 126.0% 118.8% 91.6%
      5 Y returns cumulative 159.8% 200.8% 177.9% 140.5%
      7 Y returns cumulative 88.6% 96.7% 83.7% 61.1%
      10 Y returns cumulative 235.3% 281.2% 0.0% 191.9%

      ANNUALISED RETURNS

      Inception Date 6/3/2002 8/9/1999 8/26/2004 12/31/1998

      Fund Name DWS Invesco JPmorgan Benchmark
      Fund Size in INR Crs 8,603.94 19,575.71 5,568.42 MSCI Europe
      Fund Size Date 23-Dec-13 20-Dec-13 20-Dec-13
      3 Y returns Annualised 26.6% 31.2% 29.8% 24.2%
      5 Y returns Annualised 21.0% 24.6% 22.7% 19.2%
      7 Y returns Annualised 9.5% 10.2% 9.1% 7.1%
      10 Y returns Annualised 12.9% 14.3% 0.0% 11.3%
      (no history)

    1. Hello Tushar, pl use the ‘Ask Advisor’ feature in your account,henceforth, to help us track your query and answer on time. We do not have recommendations on NFOs. Of the 2 funds, the underlying fund of Religare delivered slightly higher returns.
      Yes, these are open end funds and can account for about 10% of your portfolio.

  2. Religare Invesco Pan European Equity Fund: You mentioned that the fund delivered about 19.2% annually in the last 5 years; However I understand, this is an NFO ?
    The table 1 &2 are not visible in some of the browsers (Google chrome & Explorer) ?
    Similar funds of JP Morgan have very less number of Portfolios and AUM-What could be the implication?

    1. Hello sir, Since this is a fund of fund, the returns mentioned are that of underlying fund. Pl. check the blog now for images. Our team has looked into it. The AUM of the local fund may not matter much. The underlying fund has sizeable investment. thanks,

  3. Hello

    Have invested in Religare Invesco as on 30th Jan’14, can you please tell me the the future of this stock in terms of returns and the way we should be trading in it as in should we book profit as and when we get or should withdraw form this fund at a certain point.

    Please do let me know on the same.

    Regards

    Nilesh Mehta

    1. Hello Nilesh, If you mean Religare Invesco Pan European Fund, it is a fund and not a stock. Being a new fund, it does not have much fo a track record for us to say how it is doing. The European markets haven;t moved much in recent months and hence it is unlikely that you would have profits to book. Also, these funds need a longer term (at least 3 years) approach and should not be viewed as trading opportunities. thanks, Vidya

      1. Thanks a ton .

        So what do you suggest should i remove my money and invest in some performing funds?

        Also can you please suggest on the following MIP that i have, should i be in or should come out of it and invest some where else.
        1.Axis Triple Advantage Fund
        2. DSP Black Rock MIP and
        3. Canara Rebeco MIP.

        Nilesh

        1. Hello Nilesh,

          For portfolio advice, you will be required to login to your FundsIndia account and use the advisor appointment feature and our advisors ill suitably respond to your query. The blog is more of a discussion forum. thanks, Vidya

    1. Hello Tushar, pl use the ‘Ask Advisor’ feature in your account,henceforth, to help us track your query and answer on time. We do not have recommendations on NFOs. Of the 2 funds, the underlying fund of Religare delivered slightly higher returns.
      Yes, these are open end funds and can account for about 10% of your portfolio.

  4. Out of these three funds any suggestions on the best two.
    also since these are FoFs will the expense ratio be higher.

    1. Chaitanya, we do not have active calls on intl. funds. Yes, FoF expense ratio will be higher but NAv returns are post such expense and returns have been godo in the past year. You may choose between Religare Invesco and JP Morgan, although we are more familiar with the latter in the Indian market than Invesco, which si relatively new (tied with Religare). thanks.

    1. CUMULATIVE RETURNS
      Scheme Name DWS Invest Top Euroland FC Invesco Pan European Equity C Acc JPM Europe Dynamic C (acc)-EUR MSCI Europe NR EUR
      Inception Date 6/3/2002 8/9/1999 8/26/2004 12/31/1998
      Fund Size in INR 8,603.94 19,575.71 5,568.42
      Fund Size Date 23-Dec-13 20-Dec-13 20-Dec-13
      YTD cumulative 48.3% 56.2% 54.8% 39.7%
      1 Y returns cumulative 52.5% 64.0% 61.7% 44.7%
      3 Y returns cumulative 102.9% 126.0% 118.8% 91.6%
      5 Y returns cumulative 159.8% 200.8% 177.9% 140.5%
      7 Y returns cumulative 88.6% 96.7% 83.7% 61.1%
      10 Y returns cumulative 235.3% 281.2% 0.0% 191.9%

      ANNUALISED RETURNS

      Inception Date 6/3/2002 8/9/1999 8/26/2004 12/31/1998

      Fund Name DWS Invesco JPmorgan Benchmark
      Fund Size in INR Crs 8,603.94 19,575.71 5,568.42 MSCI Europe
      Fund Size Date 23-Dec-13 20-Dec-13 20-Dec-13
      3 Y returns Annualised 26.6% 31.2% 29.8% 24.2%
      5 Y returns Annualised 21.0% 24.6% 22.7% 19.2%
      7 Y returns Annualised 9.5% 10.2% 9.1% 7.1%
      10 Y returns Annualised 12.9% 14.3% 0.0% 11.3%
      (no history)

  5. Hello

    Have invested in Religare Invesco as on 30th Jan’14, can you please tell me the the future of this stock in terms of returns and the way we should be trading in it as in should we book profit as and when we get or should withdraw form this fund at a certain point.

    Please do let me know on the same.

    Regards

    Nilesh Mehta

    1. Hello Nilesh, If you mean Religare Invesco Pan European Fund, it is a fund and not a stock. Being a new fund, it does not have much fo a track record for us to say how it is doing. The European markets haven;t moved much in recent months and hence it is unlikely that you would have profits to book. Also, these funds need a longer term (at least 3 years) approach and should not be viewed as trading opportunities. thanks, Vidya

      1. Thanks a ton .

        So what do you suggest should i remove my money and invest in some performing funds?

        Also can you please suggest on the following MIP that i have, should i be in or should come out of it and invest some where else.
        1.Axis Triple Advantage Fund
        2. DSP Black Rock MIP and
        3. Canara Rebeco MIP.

        Nilesh

        1. Hello Nilesh,

          For portfolio advice, you will be required to login to your FundsIndia account and use the advisor appointment feature and our advisors ill suitably respond to your query. The blog is more of a discussion forum. thanks, Vidya

  6. Religare Invesco Pan European Equity Fund: You mentioned that the fund delivered about 19.2% annually in the last 5 years; However I understand, this is an NFO ?
    The table 1 &2 are not visible in some of the browsers (Google chrome & Explorer) ?
    Similar funds of JP Morgan have very less number of Portfolios and AUM-What could be the implication?

    1. Hello sir, Since this is a fund of fund, the returns mentioned are that of underlying fund. Pl. check the blog now for images. Our team has looked into it. The AUM of the local fund may not matter much. The underlying fund has sizeable investment. thanks,

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