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Baillie Gifford

Capital at risk

Investment capability

Flexible growth

Growth comes in different forms: firms focusing on disruption, predictable steady compounders and capital allocators. Our flexible growth portfolios offer exposure to all three.

Asian woman working in vegetable greenhouse.

What are flexible growth’s characteristics?

The market tends to value growth categories differently. Disruptors capture opportunity and market share. Their revenues grow rapidly, but their outcomes can be broad. Steady compounders have strong defensible franchises and competitive advantages. This leads to above-average earnings growth over long periods. Capital allocators rely heavily on management’s skill in deploying capital into cyclical opportunities. Combining all three helps reduce volatility while letting us pursue our best ideas.

How do we invest in flexible equity growth?

For each type of growth, we focus on different measures. Sales growth and margin progression for rapid growers. Franchise strength and profitability for steady compounders. And management quality and consistency with long-term business execution for capital allocators. 

Flexible equity growth portfolios typically hold 60 to 100 stocks. Turnover is low, typically less than 20 per cent per annum. 

Flexible-growth strategies

  1. Young Indian woman waiting for a train at subway station in India.

    Asia ex Japan

    A patient strategy in fast-paced markets. Embrace diverse growth opportunities in the hope of capitalising on inefficiencies.
  2. Aerial Photo Shots of Spring Blossom Bridge in Shenzhen, China.

    China

    A diversified portfolio of 40-80 of the best growth companies in China, regardless of listing location, size or weight in an index.
  3. Aerial view of a boat sailing along the Yamuna river at sunset surrounded by seagulls along the coast in New Delhi, India.

    Emerging Markets All Cap

    Our longest-standing Global Emerging Markets portfolio, targeting the world’s best Emerging Market companies with a diversified approach.
  4. Aerial view of people fishing in traditional outrigger boat in lake with cloud reflections from above in Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka.

    Emerging Markets ex China

    Seeking to provide exposure to the best Emerging Market opportunities outside of China, an increasingly common consideration for investors.
  5. Woman paddleboarding on Sylvenstein lake, Germany.

    Global Alpha

    Ambitious growth investing in exceptional companies, prioritising long-term sustainability and competitive advantages for lasting success.
  6. One man exploring beautiful Ice cave close to Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon.

    Global Alpha Paris Aligned

    Climate-conscious investing in exceptional growth companies worldwide, using investment floor insights to find diverse opportunities.
  7. High angle view of people walking at subway station in Kyoto, Japan.

    Japan All Cap

    Discover Japan's untapped potential. Focusing on fundamentals, we try to find mispriced, under-appreciated growth opportunities.
  8. Robotic arm welding in a futuristic assembly automotive manufacturing plant.

    Japan Growth

    Unearthing Japan's hidden opportunities, our strategy targets emerging disruptors, strong franchises, and corporate reform for growth.
  9. Electronics workers in clean room assembling electronic components.

    Pan Europe

    We seek out Europe's standout companies with the potential to deliver exceptional investment returns.
  10. Drone view of a car crossing a bridge in Iceland with blue steams of glacier water.

    Responsible Global Alpha

    Invest with ambition: We aim to unlock exceptional growth potential through long-term, sustainable competitive advantage.
  11. An aerial view of a sailing boat floating on still water with clouds reflected on the surface.

    Responsible Global Alpha Paris Aligned

    Responsibly investing in diverse growth companies, addressing the climate crisis with flexibility and open-mindedness to unlock varied opportunities.
  12. Aurora Borealis. as viewed from space.

    Sustainable Growth

    Seeking out companies that could benefit society and shareholders, and deliver lasting growth and positive impact for all.
  13. Winding empty road through arid desert landscape.

    US Alpha

    We focus on growing businesses across diverse opportunities that we hope will drive exceptional returns over time.

All our investment capabilities

Filtered by
  1. Caving team at the bottom of a deep cave wearing torches, with ropes hanging from the daylight above.

    Core growth

    Large, diverse portfolios of growth-focused holdings built with benchmarks and reduced volatility in mind.
  2. The Valencia City of Arts and Sciences at sunset.

    Equity and multi-asset income

    Seeking both dependable income and long-term capital growth.
  3. Asian woman working in vegetable greenhouse.

    Flexible growth

    Portfolios containing a mix of firms focused on disruption, steady compounding and timely capital allocation.
  4. A honey hunter hanging off a cliff on a rope ladder.

    High growth

    Concentrated portfolios of fast-growth companies, typically holding between 25 and 50 stocks.

Important information

The content of this website is intended exclusively for professional investors in accordance with MiFID legislation. ’Professional investors’ are potential investors who are deemed to have the status of “professional clients”, within the meaning of MiFID (2004/39/EC), as transposed in Ireland. It is not intended for retail investors.

Baillie Gifford Investment Management (Europe) Limited is authorised and regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland (Reference number C182354) as an Alternative Investment Fund Manager and UCITS Manager to Baillie Gifford Worldwide Funds plc. Its registered office is 4/5 School House Lane East, Dublin 2, D02 N279, Ireland.

This website is informative only and the information provided should not be considered as investment or other advice or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a particular investment. Read our Legal and regulatory information for further details.