- Traditional value-styled approach to stock picking, i.e. the fund looks for stocks that are considered to be undervalued
- Combined with an active, hands on (private equity-like) approach to creating value
Talking Factsheet
Jupiter UK Dynamic Equity Fund
Alex Savvides gives an overview of the strategy, how the investment process works, and how the team seek to generate alpha.
The Jupiter UK Dynamic Equity Strategy seeks to deliver clients idiosyncratic and through cycle returns from a portfolio of business transformation investments. In doing so, we seek to give clients exposure to four things. Firstly, truly active asset management. We employ a focused, engaged, active ownership approach. Secondly, the best of value and growth disciplines. We cherry pick the best capital growth opportunities, but from a subset of undervalued dividend paying stocks.
Thirdly, we take a business owner approach. We own companies over the long term. We don't rent stocks. And lastly highly idiosyncratic returns. The strategy is heavily weighted towards idiosyncratic stock selection.
So how do we put this philosophy into practice? Firstly, on idea generation we look for uncertainty. We focus on underperforming companies. Event breakdowns, strategic missteps and evidence of behavioral biases affecting share prices negatively. Secondly, on valuations we look for low points. We look for adjusted P/Es (price/earnings) and price to books at low points of historic ranges. But dividend yields and free cash flow yields at higher ends.
Thirdly, we then focus on change, on the opportunities to do better. Management led operational turnarounds, strategy reviews, active cash flow and balance sheet management. And of course, reinvestment for growth. Then fourthly, we are still disciplined and highly selective. We do not want impaired businesses. We have an ownership mindset. So we want established advantaged but under managed businesses, businesses with latent potential hidden or strategic value.
And finally, for downside protection, we think about value plus the combination of valuation, discipline management and strategic change driving better capital allocation discipline and favorable business characteristics, driving stock selection discipline and all coming together to build your margin of safety.
Our differentiation can be linked to four, maybe five different aspects. It starts with our ownership mentality that drives deeper understanding, stricter company selection, more focused portfolio construction. This is then linked to the way we engage. We are fundamentally interested in the way investments are being managed. We want to understand the cause and effect of capital allocation decisions. We seek knowledge based competitive advantage that drives conviction position sizing.
Then it's about our focus on self-help, idiosyncratic returns based on better management. Better capital allocation decisions can be delivered regardless of the wider economic and market cycle. Then, not to ignore the critical importance of our patience, our ability to look long term means that we are able to benefit from the inherent biases that can lead to short term mispricings.
And finally, I guess we are always learning. We understand that markets are continually adapting and evolving, and therefore so must we. We learn from our experiences and evolve our best practice in order to stay fit for purpose.
Why UK equities?
We believe the UK stock market offers investors a compelling valuation opportunity, as it remains priced at a discount versus its own history and other regional markets. We see a supportive market backdrop of relative political stability, modest yet steady economic growth, lower inflation vs the immediate post-Covid period, an improving consumer outlook and less restrictive policy from central banks. This may help to bring about a change in sentiment that has weighed on the UK stock market in recent years, providing support to valuations moving forward.
Creating value through change
The team follow a strong and repeatable investment process focused on change. They look for businesses in need of transformation that have been mis-managed and are underperforming financially. They support strategies focused on improvements that can create better businesses. Typically, these changes are led by a new executive team.
Jupiter UK Dynamic Equity: investment philosophy and fund characteristics
- Investment philosophy
- Fund characteristics
Meet the team
In October 2024, the fund changed name from UK Special Situations to UK Dynamic Equity, under a new investment team of Alex Savvides and Stephanie Geary, investment managers, and Siddharth Sukumar, investment analyst. They are supported by the Jupiter resources in areas such as stewardship, data science and risk and performance. The strategy and investment process was initially introduced by Alex Savvides in 2008 and has been tested in a range of market conditions.
Fund specific risks
- Pricing Risk – Price movements in financial assets mean the value of assets can fall as well as rise, with this risk typically amplified in more volatile market conditions.
- Market Concentration Risk (Geographical Region/Country) – Investing in a particular country or geographic region can cause the value of this investment to rise or fall more relative to investments whose focus is spread more globally in nature.
- Derivative risk – the Fund may use derivatives to reduce costs and/or the overall risk of the Fund (this is also known as Efficient Portfolio Management or “EPM”). Derivatives involve a level of risk, however, for EPM they should not increase the overall riskiness of the Fund.
- Liquidity Risk (general) – During difficult market conditions there may not be enough investors to buy and sell certain investments. This may have an impact on the value of the Fund.
- Counterparty Risk – the risk of losses due to the default of a counterparty e.g. on a derivatives contract or a custodian that is safeguarding the Fund’s assets.
For a more detailed explanation of risk factors, please refer to the “Risk Factors” section of the Scheme Particulars.
Important Information
This document is for informational purposes only and is not investment advice. We recommend you discuss any investment decisions with a financial adviser, particularly if you are unsure whether an investment is suitable. Jupiter is unable to provide investment advice. Past performance is no guide to the future. Market and exchange rate movements can cause the value of an investment to fall as well as rise, and you may get back less than originally invested. The views expressed are those of the authors at the time of writing are not necessarily those of Jupiter as a whole and may be subject to change. This is particularly true during periods of rapidly changing market circumstances. For definitions please see the glossary at jupiteram.com. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of any information provided but no assurances or warranties are given. Company examples are for illustrative purposes only and not a recommendation to buy or sell. Investors should read the Key Investor Information Document (KIID) before investing in the Fund. Issued in the UK by Jupiter Asset Management Limited, registered address: The Zig Zag Building, 70 Victoria Street, London, SW1E 6SQ is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
No part of this document may be reproduced in any manner without the prior permission of JAM.