Capital at risk

Investment strategy

Responsible Global Alpha Paris Aligned

We identify companies with the potential to deliver superior earnings growth while keeping emissions consistent with the Paris Agreement on climate change.  

An aerial view of a sailing boat floating on still water with clouds reflected on the surface.

Recognising diversity

An ambitious approach to investing in responsible growth companies from across the spectrum of opportunity, consistent with addressing the climate crisis. We are flexible and open-minded, recognising the diverse ways in which growth can be achieved. 

Global Alpha: our philosophy

Investment manager Helen Xiong introduces Global Alpha, reflecting on the exciting opportunities ahead.

Patient, engaged ownership

We aim to identify companies which can grow their earnings at a superior rate to the market over sustained periods, where this potential is not reflected in the price. As share prices are ultimately driven by earnings growth, this approach underpins our objective to deliver returns 2 to 3 per cent per annum ahead of the benchmark over rolling five-year periods before the deduction of fees.  

The strategy also commits to maintaining a Weighted Average Greenhouse Gas Intensity lower than the MSCI ACWI EU Paris Aligned Requirements Index and excludes companies which fail to meet our responsible behaviour criteria. 

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.

A truly global portfolio

Our philosophy is to invest long-term in well-managed businesses with sustainable competitive advantages. We embrace diversity, splitting the portfolio across three growth profiles – compounders, disruptors and capital allocators – which exploit different inefficiencies.  

Each holding is analysed to ensure consistency with the low-carbon transition. The resulting portfolio of about 90 holdings represents the most attractive opportunities from across the growth spectrum. 

The 2020s must be the decisive decade of action on the climate crisis, and there will unquestionably be greater discussion on the need to align funds with a 1.5C warming scenario.
Helen Xiong

Meet the managers

Documents

Philosophy and process

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

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Global Alpha Research Agenda 2025

How can we invest in quality companies with the potential to generate sustainable returns in a changing market?

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

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Strategy portfolio holdings

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

All figures up to: 30 April 2026

#Holding% of total assets
1NVIDIA5.8%
2TSMC5.8%
3Alphabet4.3%
4Amazon.com3.9%
5Microsoft3.5%
6Meta Platforms2.8%
7Samsung Electronics2.5%
8Royalty Pharma2.4%
9Tencent2.3%
10CATL2.3%

Sector

As at: 30 April 2026

#
Sector
Fund %
Index % *
Difference %
1
Information Technology
28.6
28.7
0.0
2
Financials
15.0
16.4
-1.4
3
Consumer Discretionary
14.8
9.3
5.5
4
Communication Services
12.1
8.8
3.3
5
Industrials
10.4
11.3
-0.8
6
Health Care
10.0
8.1
2.0
7
Materials
4.2
3.8
0.4
8
Consumer Staples
2.4
5.1
-2.7
9
Real Estate
1.6
1.7
-0.2
10
Cash
0.9
0.0
0.9
Total
100.0
93.1

Top 10 geographical locations

As at: 30 April 2026

#
Top 10 locations
Fund %
Index % *
Difference %
1
United States
58.9
63.4
-4.5
2
Taiwan
6.3
2.9
3.4
3
China
5.6
2.7
2.9
4
Japan
5.2
5.0
0.2
5
Brazil
3.6
0.6
3.1
6
South Korea
2.5
2.2
0.3
7
Canada
2.4
3.1
-0.6
8
Sweden
2.1
0.8
1.3
9
Ireland
2.1
0.1
2.0
10
UK
1.7
3.2
-1.5
Total
90.4
84.0

Sector

As at: 30 April 2026

#
Sector
Fund %
Index % *
Difference %
1
Information Technology
28.6
28.7
0.0
2
Financials
15.0
16.4
-1.4
3
Consumer Discretionary
14.8
9.3
5.5
4
Communication Services
12.1
8.8
3.3
5
Industrials
10.4
11.3
-0.8
6
Health Care
10.0
8.1
2.0
7
Materials
4.2
3.8
0.4
8
Consumer Staples
2.4
5.1
-2.7
9
Real Estate
1.6
1.7
-0.2
10
Cash
0.9
0.0
0.9
Total
100.0
93.1

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.

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Insights

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Global Alpha: our philosophy

Investment manager Helen Xiong introduces Global Alpha, reflecting on the exciting opportunities ahead.

  1. The big squeeze: bottlenecks as advantage

    When demand outstrips supply, companies that sit astride the pinch point can gain an enduring edge.
    May 2026
    Podcast35 minutes
  2. Uber’s age of autonomy

    Why the taxi-tech giant is set to benefit from the shift to driverless cabs.
    April 2026
    Article8 minutes
  3. Network server with blue interconnected cables and illustrated lines expanding from it.

    AI: valuing scarcity

    AI is creating new abundance and shifting bottlenecks. We explore which businesses can win in the long term.
    April 2026
    ArticleLong read
  4. Global Alpha Q1 investor letter

    The Global Alpha Team reflects on recent performance, portfolio changes and market developments.
    April 2026
    ArticleLong read
  5. Global Alpha Q1 update

    Investment manager Malcolm MacColl reflects on recent performance, portfolio changes and market developments.
    April 2026
    Video6 minutes
  6. Extreme close up of someone scrolling through content on a phone with finger poised

    Global Alpha insights: agentic commerce

    As AI simplifies shopping, where does durable ecommerce advantage remain?
    February 2026
    Article3 minutes
  7. alt="Close up of a house roof and roof window in blue sky with clouds"

    Global Alpha insights: QXO's recipe for steady compounding

    An $800bn analogue industry meets operational discipline.
    January 2026
    Article3 minutes
  8. A chef carries two different plates of food out of a kitchen.

    What's your growth flavour?

    Three investment managers. Three different approaches to growth investing. But can all of them be right?
    January 2026
    Article5 minutes
  9. Don’t burn your boats: investing in AI

    Why we’re ruthlessly selective about AI-related stocks.
    January 2026
    Article3 minutes
  10. Global Alpha Q4 investor letter

    The Global Alpha Team reflects on recent performance, portfolio changes and market developments.
    January 2026
    ArticleLong read
  11. Global Alpha Q4 update

    Investment specialist Ben Drury reflects on recent performance, portfolio changes and market developments.
    January 2026
    Video6 minutes
  12. What’s your flavour of choice?

    Three investment managers debate growth strategies from tech disruption to steady compounders
    December 2025
    Video75 minutes
  13. Global Alpha Research Agenda 2025

    From AI to emerging consumers, we focus on the growth areas and companies capitalising on opportunities.
    November 2025
    ArticleLong read
  14. Global Alpha insights: our reliable growth engine

    Not flashy, just dependable. Why compounders remain the engine of durable long-term returns.
    November 2025
    Article3 minutes
  15. Amazon: Stock Story

    Jon Henry gives three key reasons why tech giant Amazon remains a special investment.
    November 2025
    Video4 minutes

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.