Pictet Asset Management (Pictet AM) has launched a new fund targeting growth potential in consumer-focused services that will improve the wellbeing of individuals and communities.
Pictet Human is a global thematic equities strategy that will focus on services looking to help society adapt to the demographic and technological shifts such as more transient work; starting families later, living longer, and online entertainment and dating
The investment universe has three main segments: learn, care and enjoy.
Learn companies are defined as supporting lifelong learning, from early education to career development and ed-tech, while care refers to companies which provide support to families, caregivers, pets and communities. Enjoy describes opportunities in stocks that provide entertainment, travel, eating and cultural experiences
The fund will be domiciled in Luxembourg and is UCITS compliant. Alice de Lamaze has been named its lead manager. She will be supported by Marien-Baptiste Pouyat, investment manager and Gillian Diesen, product specialist.
In line with Pictet AM’s 12 other thematic strategies, the investment team will adopt an active management process for Pictet-Human, constructing a high conviction portfolio of companies with high thematic purity.
Ms de Lamaze said: “As Humans in the 21st century we can live healthier, longer lives; maintaining our mental and physical wellbeing through learning, caring and enjoying ourselves. Services that support us in those goals should provide enduring opportunities for investors due to their recurring, predictable revenue models. Ultimately, they can help us to lead more fulfilling lives.”
Hans Peter Portner, head of Thematic Equities added: “Ongoing research by our investment professionals is pivotal in assessing the developing megatrends that define the most attractive, long-term investment themes. Powerful trends of technological progress and commercialization have contributed towards a repositioning of discretionary purchases such as after-school tutoring, content streaming as essential services.”
The fund is currently registered for sale in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Great Britain, Italy, Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain and Sweden.
