Monthly Update - August 2024
25 September 2024
Ashoka WhiteOak Emerging Markets Trust plc
(the "Company")
Monthly Update - August 2024
The Company's quarterly factsheet as at 31 August 2024 is now available: https://awemtrust.com/factsheet/
The Company's NAV was down 0.6% in August 2024, outperforming the benchmark by 12bps. Key contributors for August 2024 include Trent (+19.8%, a part of the Tata Group, is amongst the leading fashion retailers in India), Nien Made (+18.7%, second largest window coverings manufacturer in the world, based out of Taiwan), and MercadoLibre (+20.7%, largest E-commerce and Fintech operator in LatAm).
Notable detractors include Sk hynix (-10.1%, leading global semiconductor manufacturer especially focused on memory semiconductors), Tencent Music Ent. Grp. (-27.1%, leading online music and audio entertainment platform in China) and Warrior Met Coal (-13.2%, amongst the low-cost producers of premium quality metallurgical coal).
Market Review
In August 2024, the MSCI EM index was down 0.7%. It underperformed other global indices like US equities (S&P 500) and MSCI World, which were up 0.2% and 0.4%, respectively. For the month, Healthcare and Communication Services outperformed, while Materials and Industrials underperformed. Large caps underperformed mid and small caps this month. Among major EM markets, Indonesia and Malaysia outperformed, while South Korea and Mexico underperformed.
Top 10 Holdings
| Top 10 holdings (as at 31 August, 2024) | Country | % of NAV |
| Taiwan | 7.0 |
| Korea | 4.3 |
| South Africa | 2.2 |
| China/HK | 1.8 |
| Netherlands | 1.7 |
| Singapore | 1.6 |
| China/HK | 1.6 |
| South Korea | 1.5 |
| India | 1.4 |
| Switzerland | 1.4 |
| Total |
| 24.5% |
Key Contributors
| Aug 2024 Key Contributors | Ending Weight (%) | Total Return (%) | Contribution to Return (bps) |
| TSMC | 7.0 | +1.5 | +16 |
| Trent | 0.9 | +19.8 | +15 |
| Nien Made | 0.9 | +18.7 | +15 |
| MercadoLibre | 0.8 | +20.7 | +14 |
| E Ink Holdings | 1.1 | +13.6 | +13 |
Key Detractors
| Aug 2024 Key Detractors | Ending Weight (%) | Total Return (%) | Contribution to Return (bps) |
| Samsung Electronics | 4.3 | -10.8 | -55 |
| SK hynix Inc. | 1.5 | -10.1 | -17 |
| Tencent Music Ent. | 0.5 | -27.1 | -15 |
| Warrior Met Coal | 0.7 | -13.2 | -11 |
| Adani Energy Solutions | 0.2 | -15.6 | -10 |
Source: Factset. Past performance does not predict future returns. The performance calculation is based on GBP. Currency fluctuations will also affect the value of an investment.
About Ashoka WhiteOak Emerging Markets Trust plc
Ashoka WhiteOak Emerging Markets Trust plc (AWEMT) is a UK investment trust seeking to achieve long-term capital appreciation primarily through investing in a multi-cap portfolio of equities that provide exposure to global emerging markets. Advised by White Oak Capital Partners Pte. Ltd, founded by Prashant Khemka with leading Emerging Markets investment experience. White Oak Capital Group has delivered an exceptional track record for its other strategies, and has £5.9 billion in assets under management or advisory4. Analytical approach integral to disciplined research process underpinned by proprietary frameworks OpcoFinco™ for valuation and ABLExTM for ESG research. The team at WhiteOak believes that emerging markets present potential for higher alpha. EM markets remain under-researched and inefficient. AWEM leverages WhiteOak's investment approach to capture the higher alpha potential in these markets. No fixed management fee. Manager remuneration is aligned with alpha generation and hence shareholders' interest. The Investment Manager is remunerated solely as a function of outperformance over the benchmark.
4 Data as at 31st Aug 2024. AUM data refers to aggregate assets under management or investment advisory for White Oak Group.
Further Information
For further information on the Company's investment strategy and portfolio construction approach as well as details of the portfolio market cap, regional and sector composition please refer to the latest factsheet.
Investment Objective
To achieve long-term capital appreciation, primarily investing in equity and equity-related securities that provide exposure to global emerging markets.
Summary of Investment Policy
The Company shall invest primarily in securities admitted to trading on any stock exchange (which may include stock exchanges in Developed Markets) that provide exposure to companies that are domiciled in Global Emerging Markets (EMs), or that are domiciled in Developed Markets but at the time of investment, derive a majority of their economic value, revenues or profits from, or whose assets or cost base are mainly located in EMs.
The Company's LEI is 254900Z4X5Y7NTODRI75
For further information:
Company Secretary
| AWEMT.Cosec@jtcgroup.com | +44 207 409 0181 |
|
|
|
WhiteOak Capital Partners Pte Ltd.
| Prashant Khemka | Via Buchanan |
| Fadrique Balmaseda |
|
| Ben Hayward |
|
Ellora Partners
| Mark Thompson | +44 (0) 20 7016 6711 |
| Eddie Nissen | +44 (0) 20 7016 6713 |
| Oliver Kenyon | +44 (0) 20 7016 6704 |
Burson Buchanan
| Henry Harrison-Topham | +44 (0) 20 7466 5000 |
| Henry Wilson | AWEM@buchanancomms.co.uk |
| George Beale |
|
Latest directors dealings
- 41 minutes ago Alphawave IP Group
- 51 minutes ago Judges Scientific
- 1 hour ago Alphawave IP Group
- 1 hour ago Taylor Wimpey
- 2 hours ago FDM Group (Holdings)