Invest in the Best Global Companies

As a global investor, you want to own shares in firms that have demonstrated true leadership in their sectors on the international stage.

Understanding companies

Identifying leading companies and understanding the market forces that drive them requires rigorous, first-rate research. The Global Leaders portfolio encompasses the work of our global strategy team and draws on international analysts who have hands-on knowledge of their industries.

Sustainable competitive advantage

We take a long-term approach to your investments. Whether it’s technology, consumer goods, energy or any other sector, we identify and select global companies that have achieved competitive advantage over time and are likely to continue doing so.

Companies that are ahead of the pack

There are thousands of firms listed in the US, Europe, and the UK from which to choose. We identify and focus on the 30 or 50 stocks that are true global leaders in their sectors. Companies that give you the performance you need.

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Class of 2030: Frankie, Billie and Ashlee

Our Global Leaders portfolio is for you if:

You want to invest a minimum of US$300,000

You want a concentrated portfolio of shares in leading global companies

You want access to global companies that have been carefully selected for their growth potential

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Frequently asked questions

What is a Global Leader?
A Global Leader is a company with sustainable, enduring competitive advantages in growing markets. These advantages come in many forms which may include:
- Industry competitive landscape – e.g. Oligopoly
- Dominant market shareo Brand Power
- Global distribution & sourcing
- Pricing power
- Technological leadership
- Low cost position
These advantages often compound over time and are generally reflected in superior profitability (quality) metrics that, over the long term, drive share price performance. By contrast, strategically challenged companies tend to remain that way despite efforts to turn them around.
Please tell us about the portfolio rationale and investment process?

The portfolio is a segregated, discretionary managed, developed equity market portfolio. It provides investors with access to global quality growth through investing in leading companies listed in developed markets. The portfolio is managed by an investment committee of Investec Wealth & Investment’s most experienced global portfolio managers from our UK and SA offices, leveraging off the bottom-up fundamental research expertise of our dedicated analyst team, and the top-down input of our Global Investment Strategy Group. The portfolio will be long-term in focus with a bias towards larger capitalisation stocks, and will typically comprise of 30 to 50 high-conviction holdings.
What sort of companies do you invest in?

We focus on companies with strategic competitive advantages that are able to compound these advantages over the long term. Our strategy is to search for companies with reasonably attractive valuations that deliver sustainable, high levels of profitability, free cash flow, and returns on capital through the economic cycle. We avoid companies that are highly leveraged, cyclical, capital intensive and price takers. Although the portfolio will gravitate naturally towards larger capitalisation stocks, up to 20% of the portfolio may be designated towards mid capitalisation stocks, as new Global Leaders emerge.
How do I invest offshore?

Investors will need to go through the required exchange control mechanisms. Investors can access the portfolio by either using their annual foreign investment allowance, or Investec Wealth & Investment’s asset swap capacity at no asset swap charge. Alternatively, money that is already held offshore, in line with the required exchange control rules, can also be invested in the portfolio. The investor requires a minimum investment of US$300,000.

Key Facts

Mandate type	Segregated, discretionary managed
Minimum investment	investment $300,000
Management fee	1.50% on the first $1m 1.25% thereafter (subject to a minimum annual fee of $3,000)
Benchmark	MSCI World Index total return
Risk profile	High

Track performance, gain insight

Global Leaders portfolio facts and figures

Richard Cardo, Wealth & Investment portfolio manager

We select companies that have shown that they can compound their leadership positions on the global stage over time, and are likely to continue to do so.

US$300M+

Value of funds under management in the Global Leaders portfolio

Global expertise and perspective

Our vast global presence and expertise means that every investment decision is backed by the insights of some of the best analysts in the industry. Our global investment strategy also means that you’ll get the combined skills of our global teams working for you.

Global Leaders portfolio strategy

Find out more about our Global Leaders portfolio strategy

The Investec Global Investment Process

Leverage our international network

We have operations in 14 countries, giving you access to local and offshore markets. Our clients benefit from our multifaceted, in-depth, global investment processes which offer scale, reach, and continuous growth.