Digital Economy strategy - July 2021
- 12 August 2021 (5 min read)
Digital transformation spending continues to accelerate across regions
- Q2 2020 earnings season: companies within the portfolio are reporting encouraging results
- The ‘Delivery’ theme contributed most to performance
- Strong performance from logistics real estate and cybersecurity companies
What’s happening?
Global equity markets rose slightly in July, with the MSCI All Country World index gaining 0.7%1 . Investors remained optimistic with economies gradually reopening and vaccination campaigns accelerating in most regions. Economic data stayed broadly encouraging and Central Banks continue to provide ample liquidity, while fiscal support plans have been extended by many governments.
From a market perspective, earnings season for the second quarter has started and while it may still be too early to draw broad conclusions, results so far have been encouraging. In particular, we saw good results from companies exposed to digital advertising such as Alphabet, Facebook and Snap, driven by broad based strength in advertising spend. Cloud-based Information Technology Operations Management (ITOM) software player ServiceNow and Microsoft, global provider of software, services and hardware devices, both reported a solid set of results and continued to highlight an acceleration of digital transformation spending across regions. Amazon's results and guidance came a bit below expectations, but we believe that its competitive positioning and fundamentals remain unchanged. During 2020, the company experienced a growth trajectory who was far greater than initially expected and is lapping some difficult year-over-year comparisons as we emerge from the pandemic.
Portfolio positioning and performance
The Digital Economy strategy performed well in July, driven by the ‘Delivery’ theme. Logistics real estate providers Prologis and Goodman Group performed strongly. Prologis reported better than expected results, the company highlighting that market conditions are the healthiest in its 38 year history2 . We also saw strong performance from cybersecurity companies Darktrace and Rapid7.
Within the ‘Data & Enablers’ theme, cloud-based customer service platform Five9 performed well as video communications platform Zoom announced that it would be acquiring the company at a 13% premium to the prevailing market price.3
We saw weaker performance from Chinese internet companies as regulatory risk is weighing on sentiment. We are monitoring further developments of the situation.
During July, we started a position in cloud based payroll management and HR solutions provider Paylocity. We exited video communications platform Zoom after the announcement that it would acquire Five9.
Outlook
As we emerge from the Covid19 pandemic, we are aware that equity markets may continue to be volatile and this could be the case for a while until we get better insight with regards to the recovery of the global economy. We believe our focus on identifying well managed businesses, with proven operating models and large opportunities still to address is the right approach to investing in the long-term growth opportunities present within the Digital Economy.
Whilst many aspects of the Digital Economy delivered expansion during the Covid19 outbreak, we are cognisant that questions will be raised about the future likelihood of growth as the world returns to some level of normality. We are aware that annualised growth rates might be challenging in the near term, and we have taken this into account within the portfolio. However, we believe that many of these investments are in companies that will continue to flourish over the coming years despite near term headwinds and so we look to use any weakness in share prices as an opportunity to add to our holdings.
The digital evolution is not an overnight coup, whilst some decisions had to be made in a hurried fashion last year in order to ensure that businesses could remain operational during an unexpected event there are also many opportunities that will develop over time as companies seek to put in place the systems and technology to enable business continuity if a similar event ever happens again.
The portfolio remains well positioned to benefit from the trends associated with the digital economy theme, such as digital payments, cyber-security and e-commerce.
No assurance can be given that the Digital Economy strategy will be successful. Investors can lose some or all of their capital invested. The Digital Economy is subject to risks including Equity; Emerging Markets; Global Investments; Investments in small and/or micro capitalisation universe; Investments in specific sectors or asset classes; ESG.
- IFNvdXJjZTogQmxvb21iZXJnIGFzIG9mIDMxLzA3LzIwMjE=
- UHJvbG9naXMgUTIgMjAyMSBFYXJuaW5ncyBDYWxsLCAxOS8wNy8yMDIx
- Wm9vbSBQcmVzcyBSZWxlYXNlLCAxOC8wNy8yMDIx
Not for Retail distribution
This document is intended exclusively for Professional, Institutional, Qualified or Wholesale Clients / Investors only, as defined by applicable local laws and regulation. Circulation must be restricted accordingly.
Past performance is not a guide to current or future performance, and any performance or return data displayed does not take into account commissions and costs incurred when issuing or redeeming units. The value of investments, and the income from them, can fall as well as rise and investors may not get back the amount originally invested. Exchange-rate fluctuations may also affect the value of their investment. Due to this and the initial charge that is usually made, an investment is not usually suitable as a short term holding.
This document is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment research or financial analysis relating to transactions in financial instruments as per MIF Directive (2014/65/EU), nor does it constitute on the part of AXA Investment Managers or its affiliated companies an offer to buy or sell any investments, products or services, and should not be considered as solicitation or investment, legal or tax advice, a recommendation for an investment strategy or a personalized recommendation to buy or sell securities. The strategies discussed in this document may not be available in your jurisdiction.
Due to its simplification, this document is partial and opinions, estimates and forecasts herein are subjective and subject to change without notice. There is no guarantee forecasts made will come to pass. Data, figures, declarations, analysis, predictions and other information in this document is provided based on our state of knowledge at the time of creation of this document. Whilst every care is taken, no representation or warranty (including liability towards third parties), express or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability or completeness of the information contained herein. Reliance upon information in this material is at the sole discretion of the recipient. This material does not contain sufficient information to support an investment decision.
Please note that the management company reserves the right, at any time, to no longer market the product(s) mentioned in this communication in an European Union country by notification to its authority of supervision in accordance with European passport rules. In the event of dissatisfaction with the products or services, you have the right to make a complaint either with the marketer or directly with the management company (more information on our complaints policy available in English here). You also have the right to take legal or extra-judicial action at any time if you reside in one of the countries of the European Union. The European online dispute resolution platform allows you to enter a complaint form (by clicking here) and informs you, depending on your jurisdiction, about your means of redress (by clicking here).
Risk Warning
The value of investments, and the income from them, can fall as well as rise and investors may not get back the amount originally invested.