Schroders is pleased to announce the launch of Schroder ISF European Equity Focus, an unconstrained concentrated European equity product.  The Fund, which is UCITS compliant and suitable for both retail and institutional investors, aims to offer investors capital growth through a portfolio of ‘best ideas’ of up to 35 stocks.  

Schroder ISF European Equity Focus is managed by Rory Bateman, Head of European Equities at Schroders, who makes the final decisions on stock selection and portfolio construction.  He will be supported by Schroders’ European Equity Team and its successful team process, which is driven by analyst recommendations.  The Fund’s strategy is not benchmark constrained at a sector or country level and focuses primarily on European large caps. 

Richard Mountford, Global Head of Intermediary Business, at Schroders commented:

“It is clear that demand for European Equities is increasing for products in the unconstrained high alpha category.  The launch of this fund therefore expands Schroders existing capabilities in this area and offers our investors the chance to benefit from a high conviction portfolio of our best ideas across Europe.  The Fund leverages the highly successful team based approach used in the management of a number of our other portfolios, which have consistently delivered outperformance through different market environments.”

Rory Bateman, Head of European Equities at Schroders, also commented: “While peripheral European countries continue to face substantial difficulties we expect the core European recovery to continue through 2011.  Corporate profitability and cash generation, particularly amongst the larger companies, is strong following a period of excellent cost management during the downturn.  European equity market valuations are also attractive, which underpins the investment case for European equities as we expand our capabilities in this space.”