Robeco Sustainable Asian Stars Equities FL USD

Asian markets fell 2.3% in March, underperforming the world index by 4.8%. Although the rise in bond yields flattened off in March, the market rotation continued out of long duration (growth) into short duration (cyclical) stocks. Korean bond yields rose above 2%, the highest levels since 2018. We believe a secular rise in inflation has begun, but this view is disputed. Resource, steel and semiconductor prices have risen a lot. Semiconductor shortages are a clear sign that manufacturers can raise prices further. In terms of sectors, industrials, utilities and financials were the only sectors posting positive returns in March. Singapore (+5.1%), India (+2.2%) and Thailand (+1.8%) were the best-performing countries, while Indonesia (-6.5%), China (-6.3%) and the Philippines (-5%) lagged. The renewable thematic continued to cool down in March, following the correction in February. Investors shifted their attention towards the potential oversupply in solar modules and questionable government payment schemes. China announced its new 5-year plan in March, but there was no positive surprise on its renewable target.

The fund is allowed to pursue an active currency policy to generate extra returns.

The fund does not distribute dividends

Robeco Sustainable Asian Stars Equities integrates ESG at every stage of the investment process. We use sustainability performance rankings as a first indication of a company’s sustainability profile. In addition we use it to exclude the worst 20% scoring stocks from the investable universe. We then analyze the impact of financially material ESG factors to a company’s competitive position and value drivers. We believe that this enhances our ability to understand existing and potential risks and opportunities of a company. If ESG risks and opportunities are significant, the ESG analysis may impact a stock’s fair value and the portfolio allocation decision. Throughout the investment process, we strive for a low environmental impact, as measured by GHG emissions, water use and waste generation, with the aim of realizing at least 20% better levels than the index. In addition to ESG integration, Robeco’s dedicated active ownership team conducts proxy voting and engagement activities focused on specific themes, such as climate change, aiming to improve a company’s sustainability profile. Furthermore, the fund will not invest in companies exposed to the following controversial sectors or business practices: military contracting, controversial weapons, fire arms, UN Global Compact breaches, tobacco, palm oil, nuclear power, thermal coal, arctic drilling and oil sands, according to strict revenue thresholds.

Robeco Sustainable Asian Stars Equities is an actively managed fund that invests in stocks of the most attractive companies in Asia. The selection of these stocks is based on fundamental analysis.The fund's objective is to achieve a better return than the index. The fund aims for a better sustainability profile compared to the Benchmark by promoting certain ESG (i.e. Environmental, Social and corporate Governance) characteristics within the meaning of Article 8 of the European Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation and integrating ESG and sustainability risks in the investment process. In addition, the fund applies an exclusion list on the basis of controversial behavior, products (including controversial weapons, tobacco, palm oil and fossil fuel) and countries, while avoiding investment in thermal coal, weapons, military contracting and companies that severely violate labor conditions, next to voting and engaging. The fund also aims for an improved environmental footprint compared to the Benchmark.The fund selects investments based on a combination of top-down country analysis and bottom-up stock ideas. The reference to "Stars" in the name of the fund refers to an approach whereby only the most attractive companies (in terms of actual and/or potential capital gains and/or generation of income and/or growth) are selected. The fund aims at selecting stocks with relatively low environmental footprints compared to stocks with high environmental footprints. The majority of stocks selected through this approach will be components of the Benchmark, but stocks outside the Benchmark index may be selected too. The fund can deviate substantially from the weightings of the Benchmark. The fund aims to outperform the Benchmark over the long run, whilst still controlling relative risk in the underlying markets to the extent of deviation from the Benchmark. This will consequently limit the deviation of the performance relative to the Benchmark. The Benchmark is a broad market weighted index that is not consistent with the ESG characteristics promoted by the fund.

Risk management is fully integrated into the investment process to ensure that positions always meet predefined guidelines.