A stable growth value fund with a diverse U.S. and dividend focus.
Is this fund right for you?
- You want your money to grow over a longer term.
- You want to invest in U.S. dividend-paying stocks.
- You're comfortable with a medium level of risk.
Risk Rating
How is the fund invested?
(as of December 31, 2024)
Asset allocation (%)
|
Name |
Percent |
|
US Equity |
93.4 |
|
International Equity |
4.3 |
|
Canadian Equity |
1.3 |
|
Cash and Equivalents |
1.0 |
Geographic allocation (%)
|
Name |
Percent |
|
United States |
93.4 |
|
Ireland |
3.4 |
|
Canada |
2.3 |
|
Netherlands |
1.0 |
|
Other |
-0.1 |
Sector allocation (%)
|
Name |
Percent |
|
Technology |
29.7 |
|
Financial Services |
16.6 |
|
Consumer Services |
12.5 |
|
Healthcare |
9.6 |
|
Energy |
5.2 |
|
Consumer Goods |
5.1 |
|
Industrial Goods |
4.9 |
|
Real Estate |
4.1 |
|
Telecommunications |
3.5 |
|
Other |
8.8 |
Growth of $10,000
(since inception)
Data not available based on date of inception
Fund details
(as of December 31, 2024)
Top holdings |
% |
Microsoft Corp |
5.1 |
Apple Inc |
5.1 |
Alphabet Inc Cl A |
4.6 |
Amazon.com Inc |
4.1 |
Broadcom Inc |
3.5 |
NVIDIA Corp |
2.6 |
Abbvie Inc |
2.5 |
JPMorgan Chase & Co |
2.3 |
Sempra Energy |
2.3 |
BlackRock Inc |
2.3 |
Total allocation in top holdings |
34.4 |
Portfolio characteristics |
|
Standard deviation |
10.9% |
Dividend yield |
1.7% |
Average market cap (million) |
$1,199,504.6 |
Understanding returns
Annual compound returns (%)
1 MO |
3 MO |
YTD |
1 YR |
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3 YR |
5 YR |
10 YR |
INCEPTION |
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Calendar year returns (%)
2024 |
2023 |
2022 |
2021 |
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2020 |
2019 |
2018 |
2017 |
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Range of returns over five years
(August 1, 2017 - February 28, 2025)
Best return |
Best period end date |
Worst return |
Worst period end date |
15.3% |
Feb. 2025 |
7.8% |
Sept. 2023 |
Average return |
% of periods with positive returns |
Number of positive periods |
Number of negative periods |
10.3% |
100.0% |
32 |
0 |
Q4 2024 Fund Commentary
Market commentary
The U.S. equity market reached an all-time high during the quarter, led by large-cap U.S. information technology stocks. Market performance was supported by easing inflation, resilient economic growth and lower interest rates from the U.S. Federal Reserve Board. The top 10 stocks in the S&P 500 Index accounted for almost 40% of its return, representing a record-high concentration.
Performance
The Fund’s relative exposure to Broadcom Inc., Morgan Stanley and Ralph Lauren Corp. had a positive impact on performance. Relative exposure to Mondelez International Inc. had a negative impact.
Broadcom Inc. posted strong quarterly earnings and indicated its expectations for stronger-than-expected revenue potential from artificial intelligence (AI). Morgan Stanley reported solid earnings, noting positive capital market activity. Ralph Lauren Corp. benefited from better-than-expected North American wholesale growth, and positive revenues in Europe and China.
Mondelez International Inc. was negatively impacted by a strong U.S. dollar and its focus on GLP-1s (a medication used to treat diabetes).
At the sector level, overweight exposure to and stock selection in financials had a positive impact on performance. Relative exposure to the energy sector was also positive. Underweight exposure to large-cap U.S. technology stocks, including NVIDIA Corp., Apple Inc. and Amazon.com Inc., had a negative impact.
During the quarter, the sub-advisor increased the Fund’s exposure to the consumer discretionary sector because of resilient U.S. consumer spending. The sub-advisor decreased exposure to semiconductor companies based on a slower-than-expected recovery in non-AI-related revenues.
The sub-advisor added Salesforce.com Inc. and Stryker Corp. to the Fund. The sub-advisor expects AI trends to support Salesforce Inc.’s growth. Stryker Corp. provides joint replacements needed by an aging and active population and could benefit from an aging demographic.
The sub-advisor increased Amazon.com Inc. because of its strong retail business and cloud segment potential.
The sub-advisor sold Elevance Health Inc. because of uncertainties about industry cost trends and pricing mismatches. Constellation Brands Inc. was sold because the sub-advisor believes slowing consumption could pressure the company’s growth.
Outlook
U.S. inflation has been more persistent than anticipated. However, employment has remained solid and consumer spending has been resilient, leading to relatively strong U.S. economic growth. In the sub-advisor’s view, consumers are expected to keep spending as long as employment remains steady.
The Fund’s positioning reflects the sub-advisor’s positive outlook on the financials sector, consumer spending and manufacturing.