Non-U.S. Equity Choice
Seeks superior total and risk-adjusted returns by investing in companies based outside the U.S.
At a Glance
Our Non-U.S. Equity strategy pursues long-term capital appreciation by investing in a concentrated portfolio of 30-50 stocks outside the U.S. As fundamental investors with a long-term orientation, we select companies based on their ability to generate free cash flow and allocate it intelligently for the benefit of shareholders. The portfolio reflects the highest-conviction ideas of our investment team as appropriate for a concentrated portfolio.
The Non-U.S. Equity Choice Opportunity
- Access to a portfolio of non-U.S. companies we believe have superior risk-reward profiles
- Investments in companies with strong free cash flow and effective capital allocation policies
- A concentrated portfolio, benefiting from proprietary research that drives our Non-U.S. strategies; a majority of positions are high convictions in our other strategies
- Risk Management integrated with the investment process to minimize unintended risks and reduce volatility
- Cash-flow-oriented approach complements other managers within an overall asset allocation plan
Epoch’s Distinct Investment Philosophy and Approach
The bedrock of our philosophy is that the growth and applications of free cash flow represent the best predictor of long-term shareholder return. As a result, our security selection process is focused on free-cash-flow metrics and capital allocation as opposed to traditional accounting-based metrics such as price-to-book and price-to-earnings. We look for a consistent, straightforward ability to generate free cash flow and to allocate it effectively among internal reinvestment opportunities, acquisitions, dividends, share repurchases and debt pay downs. An essential factor is the evaluation of each company’s management team to confirm their commitment to transparency and building shareholder value. The companies uncovered by this process have inherently less volatility due to their ability to generate cash flow.
This strategy incorporates qualitative and quantitative analysis to identify potential investments, taking into consideration factors that can lead to growing cash flow. Stocks are then subject to rigorous fundamental research. We develop an investment thesis as we assess the sources of the company’s long-term value creation and management’s ability to nurture it. We scrutinize management’s track record of allocating capital, looking for those with the discipline to use free cash flow to maximize return on investment, thereby creating shareholder value. Once a stock has been purchased, we continually revisit our thesis and sell the stock if our price target is reached, our thesis changes or we see another investment with a better risk-reward profile.
While the portfolio is constructed from the bottom up, decisions are made with consideration of the macro context. Epoch’s Investment Policy Group, composed of senior members of our different strategy groups, provides insight and guidance on the global market environment and macroeconomic and industry trends.
We analyze risk as part of the portfolio construction process to monitor portfolio volatility and better ensure the delivery of the strategy’s goals. A senior member of the Quantitative Research and Risk Management team is a co-portfolio manager on every strategy managed by Epoch so that portfolio managers are aware of unintended biases and the effect individual securities may have on the portfolio. Portfolio construction is geared toward achieving the bulk of excess returns through stock selection.