Investor Summary
Fund Strategy
FUND PERFORMANCE AS OF 31st December 2025
| ANNUALIZED SINCE INCEPTION | QUARTERLY | YTD |
|---|---|---|
| 10.6% | -1.7% | 17.5% |
| 2025 |
|---|
| 17.5% |
| ANNUALIZED SINCE INCEPTION | QUARTERLY | YTD |
|---|---|---|
| 10.6% | -1.7% | 17.5% |
| 2025 |
|---|
| 17.5% |
Baillie Gifford Global Alpha delivered negative returns in Q4 2025, underperforming the MSCI AC World Index as markets became more sensitive to short-term profit changes. The fund's underperformance was driven by holdings reinvesting in future growth, particularly in artificial intelligence capabilities. Key detractors included Prosus due to Tencent's AI spending, Sea's margin compression from marketplace investments, and Meta's elevated 2026 AI expenditure despite strong fundamentals. Top contributors included Dollar General with 30% operating profit growth, Kokusai Electric benefiting from memory market recovery and AI chip manufacturing demand, and TSMC maintaining its dominant 70% foundry market share. The managers added new positions in automation leader Keyence, IoT software company Samsara, and roofing distributor QXO, funded by sales of disappointing performers like AIA, Olympus, and LVMH. Despite recent underperformance, the fund comprises diverse, high-quality growing businesses with strong fundamentals. With valuations near historic lows relative to benchmark, the portfolio is positioned to convert fundamental progress into future returns as the long-term growth philosophy remains undimmed.
The fund aims to find companies that can deliver sustainable, above-average earnings growth over the long-term from a global opportunity set, taking meaningful allocations in best ideas with long-term investment horizon.
Fund comprises diverse, high-quality, and growing businesses with strong financial foundations. With valuations near historic lows relative to the benchmark, the fund is well positioned to convert fundamental progress into future returns despite recent underperformance driven by companies reinvesting in future growth.
| Date | Letter | Tickers | Keywords | Pitches | Quick Takes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 15 2026 | 2025 Q4 | ADYEY, AMZN, APP, CRH, DASH, ELV, ENSG, FTAI, GOOGL, MA, META, MLM, MSCI, MSFT, NFLX, NVDA, RPRX, RYAAY, SCI, TSM | AI, global, growth, long-term, Quality, technology |
SE META DG 6525 JP TSM AUTO LN AG1 GR GAW QXO IOT |
AI spending and capabilities remain central to investment thesis across multiple holdings. Meta's elevated AI expenditure in 2026 creates execution risk but unlocks growth levers across its user base. Tencent's AI talent and research investments position it uniquely to leverage AI across gaming, advertising, and payments platforms. TSMC maintains dominant position capturing 70% of global foundry revenues with supply agreements across all key chip designers. Kokusai Electric benefits from recovery in memory markets and growing importance of batch ALD machines in AI memory chip manufacturing. Semiconductor cycle showing strength from Chinese and Korean manufacturers. Factory automation represents long-term structural growth opportunity. Keyence leads in sensors and machine-vision systems with 80% margins supported by direct sales model. Structural trends include rising automation, reshoring, and growing complexity in electric vehicle manufacturing providing long runway for growth. Sea's Shopee marketplace investing in service quality and faster shipping while expanding in Malaysia and Thailand to capture market share. Auto1 consolidating position as Europe's leading used car marketplace with 3% market share and growing direct-to-consumer Autohero brand providing margin expansion opportunity. |
| Oct 20 2025 | 2025 Q3 | 0XXT LN, BHP AU, COIN, EDEN FP, ENSG, ENTG, GMAB DC, MEDP, MSCI, NVO, SHOP, UNH | Artificial Intelligence, Digital Platforms, Global Growth, Healthcare Innovation, semiconductors | - | The fund highlights AI enthusiasm driving markets to record highs, with holdings like AppLovin, Shopify, and TSMC benefiting from data infrastructure and digital platform growth. Healthcare positions such as Medpace and Novo Nordisk are viewed as cyclical recovery opportunities tied to innovation in clinical trials and obesity drugs. Managers remain focused on global quality growth across sectors despite U.S. market dominance. |
| Jul 11 2025 | 2025 Q2 | - | AI, Cloud Computing, E-Commerce, Global Growth | - | |
| Apr 18 2025 | 2025 Q1 | - | - | - |
| QUARTER | THEMES | TAGS |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 Q4 |
AIAI has been integrated into RGA's research process through tools like NotebookLM, Gems in Gemini, and Claude Code. The firm views AI as a force multiplier for human judgment rather than a replacement, emphasizing the Kasparov Law principle. They believe the market narrative around AI displacement is swinging to unhelpful extremes, creating investment opportunities. |
Machine Learning Automation Software Productivity Innovation |
AutomationFactory automation represents long-term structural growth opportunity. Keyence leads in sensors and machine-vision systems with 80% margins supported by direct sales model. Structural trends include rising automation, reshoring, and growing complexity in electric vehicle manufacturing providing long runway for growth. |
Factory Automation Industrial Sensors Machine Vision Robotics Industrial IoT | |
E-commerceSeveral investments in e-commerce leaders across Asia and Latin America, including MercadoLibre, Sea Limited and Alibaba, faced a more competitive operating environment during the period. As long-term investors, SGA observes that competitive intensity in these markets tends to ebb and flow over shorter time horizons, with market leaders typically emerging from such periods with strengthened strategic positions given inherent network effects. |
Marketplaces Competition Network Effects Asia Latin America | |
SemiconductorsRGA initiated a position in Lattice Semiconductor, viewing it as an under-appreciated AI winner with immediate gains and longer-term optionality. Lattice's focus on efficiency and advantages in low-power, small footprint FPGAs position it favorably for AI servers, particularly as the only Post-Quantum Cryptography secure chips on the market. |
FPGAs Security Efficiency AI Infrastructure Programmable | |
| 2025 Q3 |
AIAI has been integrated into RGA's research process through tools like NotebookLM, Gems in Gemini, and Claude Code. The firm views AI as a force multiplier for human judgment rather than a replacement, emphasizing the Kasparov Law principle. They believe the market narrative around AI displacement is swinging to unhelpful extremes, creating investment opportunities. |
Machine Learning Automation Software Productivity Innovation |
FinancialsEuropean banks have been rehabilitated after years in purgatory, with returns of 77% in 2025. Return on equity has normalized above 12% following exit from ultra-low rates, while capital positions have been rebuilt. However, supportive factors are well-appreciated by markets, reflected in significant valuation re-rating. |
Banks Return On Equity Interest Rates Capital Valuations | |
HealthcareHealthcare was the strongest relative contributor in the quarter with holdings increasing nearly +16% compared to benchmark returns of roughly +12%. Exact Sciences was acquired for a significant premium by Abbott Laboratories resulting in an +86% return, while other strong performers included Tarsus Pharmaceuticals, Glaukos following approval of a new product, Penumbra, and Repligen driven by strong earnings results. |
M&A Product Approval Earnings Biotech | |
| 2025 Q2 |
AIAI has been integrated into RGA's research process through tools like NotebookLM, Gems in Gemini, and Claude Code. The firm views AI as a force multiplier for human judgment rather than a replacement, emphasizing the Kasparov Law principle. They believe the market narrative around AI displacement is swinging to unhelpful extremes, creating investment opportunities. |
Machine Learning Automation Software Productivity Innovation |
GrowthGrowth retained a narrow edge for the full year in large caps despite underperforming in Q4. Technology and Communication Services delivered exceptional longer-term returns, though near-term leadership may remain more evenly distributed. A sustained Growth resurgence will likely depend on renewed confidence in AI-driven earnings. |
Growth Technology AI Communication Services Mega-cap |
| Date | Pitch Type | Author | Ticker | Company | Industry | Sub Industry | Bull / Bear | Exchange | Keywords | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 15, 2026 | Fund Letters | Michael Taylor | GAW | Games Workshop Group plc | Consumer Discretionary | Leisure Products | Bull | New York Stock Exchange | Brand, Gaming, Ip, Licensing, Margins | Login |
| Jan 15, 2026 | Fund Letters | Michael Taylor | QXO | QXO Inc. | Industrials | Industrial Distribution | Bull | New York Stock Exchange | Acquisitions, consolidation, Distribution, Rollup, scale | Login |
| Jan 15, 2026 | Fund Letters | Michael Taylor | IOT | Samsara Inc. | Information Technology | Application Software | Bull | New York Stock Exchange | analytics, efficiency, growth, IoT, Software | Login |
| Jan 15, 2026 | Fund Letters | Michael Taylor | SE | Sea Ltd. | Consumer Discretionary | Internet Retail | Bull | New York Stock Exchange | ecommerce, Fintech, Platforms, Reinvestment, scale | Login |
| Jan 15, 2026 | Fund Letters | Michael Taylor | META | Meta Platforms Inc. | Communication Services | Interactive Media & Services | Bull | NASDAQ | advertising, AI, Margins, scale, social media | Login |
| Jan 15, 2026 | Fund Letters | Michael Taylor | DG | Dollar General Corp. | Consumer Staples | Consumer Staples Retailing | Bull | New York Stock Exchange | Consumers, discount retail, Execution, Margins, Value | Login |
| Jan 15, 2026 | Fund Letters | Michael Taylor | 6525 JP | Kokusai Electric Corp. | Information Technology | Semiconductor Equipment | Bull | New York Stock Exchange | CapEx, Cycle, Equipment, Semi Conductors, technology | Login |
| Jan 15, 2026 | Fund Letters | Michael Taylor | TSM | Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. | Information Technology | Semiconductors | Bull | New York Stock Exchange | AI, Foundry, scale, Semi Conductors, technology | Login |
| Jan 15, 2026 | Fund Letters | Michael Taylor | AUTO LN | Auto Trader Group plc | Communication Services | Interactive Media & Services | Bull | New York Stock Exchange | Autos, cashflow, marketplace, network effects, Pricing power | Login |
| Jan 15, 2026 | Fund Letters | Michael Taylor | AG1 GR | AUTO1 Group SE | Consumer Discretionary | Internet & Direct Marketing Retail | Bull | Xetra | ecommerce, Margins, Platforms, scale, Usedcars | Login |
| TICKER | COMMENTARY |
|---|---|
| ADYEY | Founded in 2006 and based in the Netherlands, Adyen enables companies to accept payments online, in apps and in physical stores. We estimate that in 2025 Adyen will process EUR 1.4 trillion of payments. Adyen was built as a single global platform from day one. Most competitors run multiple platforms, many of which are old. Adyen's one-platform approach means every transaction is processed in the same way. The company did experience a wobble in 2023. Results since then have improved. Volumes and revenue have re-accelerated, margins have recovered and the company has continued to win large new customers. |
| AMZN | One company we own that we think has unique positioning to benefit from both the infrastructure and application layers is Amazon. Amazon's logistical prowess is one of the foremost moats in business today and it can and will be enhanced with AI. The company will do this in multiple ways, with better orchestration of its logistics assets and underlying cargo, as well as the buildout of more capable, sophisticated and robust robotics. Amazon is singularly well positioned to dominate the coordination layer, with AI's help, across its entire logistics network. |
| APP | AppLovin provides tools that help mobile app developers, particularly mobile game developers, market and monetize their products. We exited AppLovin after significant price appreciation. |
| DASH | DoorDash Inc. operates a commerce platform that connects merchants, consumers, and independent contractors. reported better-than-expected quarterly results. However, management announced a significant increase in planned investments for 2026, which led to a -17% decline in its share price. |
| ELV | The holdings in Applied Materials, Elevance Health, LVMH and Anheuser-Busch InBev were exited |
| FTAI | FTAI Aviation is a leading MRO franchise for the CFM56 and is in the midst of transforming into a capital-light, high-visibility model with its Strategic Capital Initiative (SCI), protected by an irreplaceable competitive advantage in PMA parts. And yet, the market has continued to value the company as a cyclical lessor despite clear operating leverage and a qualitative shift toward a more scalable, capital-efficient industrial model. |
| GOOGL | In the third quarter, Google, Kairos Power, and the Tennessee Valley Authority announced a major collaboration centered on a novel power purchase agreement. Google followed this announcement with another significant step forward. On October 27, Google and NextEra Energy announced plans to restart the Duane Arnold Energy Center. |
| MA | The enduring appeal of card payments is their universality. Consumers trust that Visa and Mastercard will be accepted globally. After more than 20 years of litigation, Visa and Mastercard agreed to yet another settlement that gives merchants greater flexibility |
| META | On January 9, Meta Platforms unveiled a new agreement with Vistra—the largest generator of competitive electricity in the United States—as well as with TerraPower and Oklo. The announcement builds on Meta's agreement last year with Constellation Energy and positions the company to become one of the largest corporate purchasers of nuclear-generated electricity in the United States. |
| MSCI | MSCI Inc. 4.3 1.40 (0.02) |
| MSFT | MSFT was a detractor in 4Q25 following its fiscal first-quarter 2026 earnings report released on October 29. While results were better than expected operationally, investor reaction was driven by guidance and capital expenditure intensity rather than headline performance. Revenue grew 17% year-over-year, exceeding consensus expectations, and Azure revenue increased 39% year-over-year, also ahead of estimates. However, management guided to a sequential deceleration in Azure growth in fiscal Q2, signaling some moderation after a period of exceptional demand. |
| NFLX | NFLX was the portfolio's largest detractor in 4Q25 following investor concerns around near-term subscriber growth and rising content spending. While revenue grew approximately 10% year-over-year, management guided to slower net subscriber additions in North America and Europe after recent price increases, and margins were pressured by elevated investment in live sports and international content. |
| NVDA | AI bellwether NVIDIA's very strong set of earnings in late November helped the AI theme re-assert its dominance when investors breathed a sigh of relief following the results. |
| RPRX | Thirty years later, the company he founded, Royalty Pharma, generates over $2bn per year in cash flow, produced by royalties on a highly diversified collection of drugs, including 7 of the top 30 in the US. The company has a 40-50% market share of all pharma royalties and remains dominant today, despite attempts at competition from large private equity firms like Blackstone. |
| RYAAY | This is the largest airline in Europe. I followed the company for about 18 years. I owned its shares professionally for much of that time. We bought Ryanair's American Depository Shares when Greenfield started managing investments in September 2021 at around US$45 (adjusted for a subsequent stock split). At the time, the airline was still losing money from the COVID-19 pandemic, but it previously had consistently strong profitability. The price at the time represented only 16 times what the airline had earned back in 2018. I felt their earnings would eventually be materially higher. And, unlike many airlines, Ryanair still had an excellent balance sheet. The American Depository Shares now trade at around US$73 representing roughly 14 times earnings. I feel the airline will continue using its low-cost competitive advantage to grow by stealing market share from weaker airlines. |
| TSM | TSMC was a top contributor during the quarter, driven by robust demand for advanced semiconductor manufacturing and improved gross margins as AI continues to grow strong and the non-AI segment showed signs of recovery. Management raised its revenue growth guidance to the mid-30% range, and given continued strength in demand, AI-related growth targets are expected to move above the current mid-40% level. |
| Ticker | Put/Call | Amount Bought | Shares Bought | % Change | Weight % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No Recent Buys Data | |||||
| Ticker | Put/Call | Amount Sold | Shares Sold | % Change | Weight % | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No Recent Sells Data | ||||||
| Industry | Prev Quarter % | Current Quarter % | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| No industry data available | |||