Funds | Baillie Gifford | Australia Wholesale Clients

Worldwide Diversified Return Euro Fund

The Worldwide Diversified Return Euro Fund aims to provide capital growth over the long term at a lower risk than that of equity markets by investing in a multi-asset portfolio.

Worldwide Diversified Return US Dollar Fund

The Worldwide Diversified Return US Dollar Fund aims to provide capital growth over the long term at a lower risk than that of equity markets by investing in a multi-asset portfolio.

Worldwide Diversified Return Yen Fund

The Worldwide Diversified Return Yen Fund aims to provide capital growth over the long term at a lower risk than that of equity markets by investing in a multi-asset portfolio.

Worldwide Emerging Markets Leading Companies Fund

The Worldwide Emerging Markets Leading Companies Fund aims to maximise total return principally through investment primarily in a portfolio of companies deriving a substantial part of their income from, or having a substantial proportion of their assets located in, one or more Emerging Market Countries.

Worldwide Global Alpha Choice Fund

The Worldwide Global Alpha Choice Fund aims to provide returns comprising capital growth and dividend income over the long term by investing primarily in global equities which are listed, traded or dealt in on Regulated Markets worldwide.

Worldwide Global Alpha Fund

The Worldwide Global Alpha Fund aims to provide returns comprising capital growth and dividend income over the long term by investing primarily in global equities which are listed, traded or dealt in on Regulated Markets worldwide.

Worldwide Global Credit Fund

The Worldwide Global Credit Fund aims to achieve a high level of total return by investing in a diversified portfolio consisting primarily of corporate bonds which are listed, traded or dealt in on one or more Regulated Markets worldwide.

Worldwide Global Income Growth Fund

The investment objective of the Fund is to obtain a yield higher than that generally available from investment in global equity securities while, over the longer term, achieving growth in both capital and income. The Fund will principally invest in global equities and may also invest in other transferable securities, money market instruments, cash and cash equivalents.

Worldwide Global Stewardship Select Fund

The Worldwide Global Stewardship Select Fund aims to provide returns comprising capital growth and dividend income over the long term by investing primarily in global equities which are listed, traded or dealt in on Regulated Markets worldwide.

Worldwide Japanese Fund

The Worldwide Japanese Fund aims to maximise total return principally through investment in equity securities which are listed, traded or dealt on Regulated Markets in Japan.

Worldwide Long Term Global Growth Fund

The Worldwide Long Term Global Growth Fund aims to provide strong returns over the long term by investing primarily in a concentrated, unconstrained global equity portfolio.

Worldwide Pan-European Fund

The Worldwide Pan-European Fund aims to maximise total return principally through investment in equity securities which are listed, traded or dealt on Regulated Markets across Europe.

Worldwide Positive Change Fund

The Worldwide Positive Change Fund aims to produce capital growth over the long term by investing primarily in the equities of companies whose products, behaviour or services make a positive social impact.

Worldwide US Equity Growth Fund

The Worldwide US Equity Growth Fund aims to maximise total return principally through investment in equities which are listed on Regulated Markets in the US.

Worldwide Discovery Fund

This fund is currently closed to new investors. The Worldwide Discovery Fund aims to produce attractive long-term returns, mainly through capital growth. The Fund will invest primarily in equities which are listed, traded or dealt in on Regulated Markets worldwide and which will typically be stocks of smaller or younger companies that the Investment Manager considers to have strong future growth prospects.

Baillie Gifford – coronavirus update

At Baillie Gifford we are watching unfolding events concerning Coronavirus closely and following the advice of health authorities. Our primary aims are two-fold: firstly, to ensure the health and wellbeing of our staff and others, and secondly to continue to serve our clients well during these unprecedented times. Our thoughts are with everyone who is affected by the spread of the virus, and we know that with schools closing and travel severely restricted many people are juggling home and work responsibilities. Please be reassured that though our working patterns have hugely changed, we are continuing to focus on clients and in all material respects are functioning relatively normally.

The firm has well-tested contingency plans which we have put into action. Given the most up to date UK government advice, virtually all of our staff are now working from home and we have stopped receiving visitors to our Edinburgh office. The firm has technology, systems and policies in place to ensure that we remain fully functional while working in dispersed locations, and should this situation persist for an extended period we are fully capable of continuing business as usual. Clients’ investments are being managed as normal by our investment team and our client service and other staff are available via email and telephone, as well as on networks such as MS Teams and Zoom. We continue to research stocks and have the capability to make transactions to facilitate client cashflows and business-as-usual investment decisions. Business travel has completely stopped for the time being and we are looking to hold external meetings by video and conference call wherever possible.

Most overseas offices in Europe and the Americas have also closed and staff are working from home. On a brighter note, our Shanghai office has re-opened, as Coronavirus spread there has slowed.

It is important during times of extreme market volatility to remember that investing is a long-term activity. History indicates that acting hastily in the midst of a crisis is typically unhelpful, and we would encourage all investors to step back and maintain perspective. When we invest on behalf of clients, it is with a five-year view of the opportunities that a company has to grow. Clearly, many such companies will be impacted in the near term by the abrupt economic slowdown which is unfolding, and stock markets have factored this heavily into prices. However, our view is that such selling has been relatively indiscriminate and driven by fear rather than long-term fundamentals. Companies with growing opportunities, competitive advantages and strong balance sheets are not only well placed to survive short-term pressures, but should resume their positive trends when the current crisis is over. We have therefore made few changes to client portfolios during this period of uncertainty, and are considering opportunities to add to holdings in companies we admire at depressed prices. In recent years there has been a growing focus amongst investors and the public on the benefits of companies acting responsibly towards all stakeholders, including employees and customers as well as shareholders. We will learn much about their commitment to such concepts in coming weeks.

Baillie Gifford itself has no short-term pressures. We have no outside shareholders, and the Partners in the firm are committed to seeing through the current challenges without making any material changes to our own firm. We will continue to put staff and client interests foremost, even as we adapt to our new, temporary, reality. If you have any specific concerns, please get in touch with your usual contacts here at Baillie Gifford or with your financial adviser.

Baillie Gifford & Co
24 March 2020