Capital at risk

Investment strategy

Worldwide Discovery

The strategy seeks ambitious, rare companies that could shape our future by solving today’s most important, complex problems. We aim to find them at an early stage and hold them for the long term as they scale.

Astronomical Observatory under the stars.

Investing in the immature and innovative

Unearthing the transformational growth companies of the next decade when they’re small and nimble, hoping to reap rewards by holding them as they experience the most exciting phases of growth.

Harnessing asymmetry

Worldwide Discovery is a global smaller companies equities strategy. It invests in disruptive companies, with a range of possible outcomes. 

This can lead to volatility but can increase the chance of a highly asymmetrical outcome. 

The strategy aims to outperform (net of fees) the MSCI ACWI Small Cap Index, mainly through capital appreciation, over rolling five-year periods. 

We consider opportunities below $10bn but believe immaturity, not size, is the best proxy for potential. We hold based on conviction, not market cap. 

The performance target is aspirational and is not guaranteed. We don’t use it to compile the portfolio and returns will vary. A single performance target may not be appropriate across all vehicles and jurisdictions. We may not meet our investment objectives if, for example, our growth investment style is out of favour or we misjudge the long-term earnings growth of our holdings.

Discovery Q2 update

The Discovery Team reflects on recent performance, portfolio changes and market developments.

We established the Discovery strategy to capture the opportunity in the enduring supercycle of innovation.
Douglas Brodie

Meet the managers

Documents

Philosophy and process

Explore our investment philosophy and the processes around how the team constructs the portfolio.

Quarterly update

Get the latest investment commentary, portfolio overview, transactions and performance information alongside governance engagement and voting. 

Invest in this strategy

You can invest in this strategy through the following fund(s).

Explore further

Curious to learn more about our products and what we can offer you? Please get in touch.

Strategy portfolio holdings

A list of the top 10 holdings that the representative portfolio invests in.

All figures up to: 30 June 2024

#CompanyFund %
1Alnylam Pharmaceuticals8.4%
2AeroVironment4.9%
3Axon Enterprise Inc4.8%
4Zillow Group Inc Class C3.4%
5Staar Surgical3.4%
6USD Uncommitted Cash2.7%
7Twist Bioscience Corp2.7%
8CyberArk Software Ltd2.7%
9MarketAxess Holdings2.6%
10Veeco Instruments2.6%

Strategy holdings by sector

All figures up to: 30 June 2024

1Health Care39.26%
2Information Technology27.53%
3Industrials14.53%
4Financials4.27%
5Consumer Discretionary4.18%
6Real Estate3.81%
7Consumer Staples1.92%
8Materials0.93%
9Communication Services0.85%
10Cash2.72%
Total 100%

Strategy holdings by sector

All figures up to: 30 June 2024

Total: 100%

Strategy holdings by region

All figures up to: 30 June 2024

1North America70.78%
2Emerging Markets10.80%
3UK8.55%
4Developed Asia Pacific4.28%
5Europe (ex UK)2.87%
6Cash2.72%
Total 100%

Strategy holdings by region

All figures up to: 30 June 2024

Total: 100%

Please note

The information contained on this page is intended as a guide only and should not be relied upon when making investment decisions. All holdings information is unaudited. Source Baillie Gifford & Co. Please note that totals may not add due to rounding.

Invest in this strategy

You can invest in this strategy through the following fund(s).

Explore further

Curious to learn more about our products and what we can offer you? Please get in touch.

How to invest in this strategy

You can invest in this strategy through the following fund(s).

Explore further

Curious to learn more about our products and what we can offer you? Please get in touch.

Important information

The content of this website is intended exclusively for professional investors in accordance with MiFID legislation. 'Professional investors' are potential investors who are deemed to have the status of “professional clients”, within the meaning of MiFID (2004/39/EC), as transposed in Ireland. It is not intended for retail investors.

Baillie Gifford Investment Management (Europe) Limited is authorised and regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland (Reference number C182354) as an Alternative Investment Fund Manager and UCITS Manager to Baillie Gifford Worldwide Funds plc. Its registered office is 4/5 School House Lane East, Dublin 2, D02 N279, Ireland.

This website is informative only and the information provided should not be considered as investment or other advice or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a particular investment. Read our Legal and regulatory information for further details.