Effective date: 30/09/2026Over the period, equity markets demonstrated remarkable resilience, overcoming the rise in oil prices, geopolitical tensions, and the increase in U.S. Treasury yields, with the ten-year rate briefly crossing the 5% threshold. Faced with persistent inflation, the Federal Reserve and several other central banks maintained a restrictive stance, causing episodes of volatility and a steepening of yield curves. Nevertheless, earnings growth, abundant liquidity, and the lack of truly attractive alternatives continued to support equity indices.
Market gains remained concentrated on a limited number of stocks, led by mega-cap technology companies and the ongoing enthusiasm around artificial intelligence. Semiconductor stocks proved volatile, penalized by particularly demanding expectations, while software, cybersecurity, and certain hyperscalers benefited from signs of accelerated adoption. Significant investments in data centers continue to create powerful tailwinds for electrification, power grids, and energy infrastructure.
A certain rotation occurred in favor of healthcare, banks, and materials. The financial sector is expected to benefit from the prolonged maintenance of high interest rates, although European fiscal vulnerabilities require a selective approach. Copper producers and mining groups, meanwhile, are supported by the prospect of a sustainably constrained supply. Conversely, duration-sensitive stocks, utilities, real estate companies, and certain industrials came under pressure. Consumer discretionary companies and the European automotive industry remain vulnerable to rising oil prices, high costs, and intensifying Chinese competition.
Artificial intelligence remains the main driver of the market. Investments in data centers, cloud, and computing infrastructure continue at a brisk pace, benefiting hyperscalers, certain semiconductor companies, cybersecurity solution providers, as well as companies exposed to electrification and power grids. However, expectations are now at particularly high levels, while market gains remain driven by a narrow circle of companies, creating an environment increasingly conducive to occasional profit-taking.
In September, the fund outperformed its benchmark index. Financials were the main driver of outperformance during the month. Eurobank gained 8%, benefiting from Greece’s reintegration into European indices, which revived investor interest in the country’s banking sector. Conversely, Bank of America weighed on performance after issuing a revenue warning, though this did not undermine the sector’s overall positive contribution.
Technology also made a substantial contribution, mainly thanks to semiconductors. TSMC rose by 10% after reporting results above expectations and providing encouraging outlooks regarding the ramp-up of its production capacities by 2027. AMD also supported performance with solid results. Industrial stocks made a more modest but nonetheless positive contribution, thanks to the strong performance of Eaton, Johnson Controls, and Hitachi. The segment continues to benefit from the powerful structural support of electrification.
On the other hand, within communication services, Orange was penalized by sluggish growth in France and ongoing concerns about its debt and the intensity of competition. The portfolio’s lack of exposure to Meta, whose stock soared by 29%, was also a relative drag. The more defensive segments of the market, notably basic consumption and utilities, suffered from the rise in interest rates. Meanwhile, in consumer discretionary, declines in Home Depot (-10%) and CATL (-19%) weighed on performance.
During the month, we closed our position in CSG within the defense segment. We also took profits on Applied Materials and reallocated capital to Tokyo Electron, thus maintaining our exposure to semiconductor equipment manufacturers while taking advantage of what we considered a more attractive entry point. We reduced our positions in Hitachi and Oracle, and significantly trimmed Palo Alto for valuation and risk management reasons, while strengthening Alphabet.
In the financial sector, the sale of BNP Paribas and the reduction of Société Générale helped finance an increase in ING. This move reflects a deliberate intention to reduce our exposure to France given the current environment. We also strengthened Eaton and initiated a position in Fresenius, whose defensive profile and earnings visibility we appreciate.
The main obstacle to further market gains remains the persistence of high interest rates. Inflationary pressures linked to energy prices, combined with rising fiscal concerns, continue to put pressure on bond yields. This environment penalizes long-duration stocks, utilities, real estate companies, and businesses whose outlooks particularly depend on easy access to financing.
The portfolio remains oriented towards growth and cyclical stocks, driven by strong convictions in semiconductors, industry, and electrification. We continue to adopt a disciplined approach to valuation, while exercising increased selectivity, particularly in software and cybersecurity.