Capital at risk

Investment strategy

Defensive Growth

We look to generate attractive returns over cash with low volatility, evaluating investments against our proprietary sustainability framework.

Our wide opportunity set and diverse asset mix allow us to create flexible portfolios prepared for different economic conditions.

Jungrau mountain peak during alpen glow at sunset. View from First, Grindelwald, Switzerland.

Responsible growth investing

Our mission is simple – we take advantage of a breadth of opportunity across a diverse range of asset classes, aiming to deliver attractive returns with lower volatility than equity markets.

Multi Asset Q4 update

The Multi Asset Team reflects on recent performance, portfolio changes and market developments over the last quarter.

Breadth of opportunity

We seek to provide a diversified, actively managed portfolio with dual objectives equally focussed on return and risk. In-built portfolio screening and a proprietary sustainability assessment give peace of mind that the portfolio holdings comply with a ‘sustainable economy’*.

We take a broad opportunity set and turn it into a single fund which offers clients an effective way to achieve diversification at lower volatility levels than equity markets.

Our objectives: 

  • a return of 3.5 per cent more than UK base rate over rolling five-year periods and a positive return over rolling three-year periods 
  • volatility of returns below 10 per cent over rolling five-year periods  

*We define a ‘sustainable economy’ as one that achieves a balance between economic, environmental and social needs.

The performance target is aspirational and is not guaranteed. We don’t use it to compile the portfolio and returns will vary. A single performance target may not be appropriate across all vehicles and jurisdictions. We may not meet our investment objectives if, for example, our growth investment style is out of favour or we misjudge the long-term earnings growth of our holdings.

Looking to the future, not the past

We’ve been investing in multi-asset portfolios since 2009. We seek to avoid complexity and are positioned to achieve returns with lower volatility than equity markets.

We identify the major drivers of markets and apply our expertise to construct a portfolio that invests across asset classes, incorporating: 

  • Macroeconomic views 
  • Long-term return expectations 
  • Risk and near-term scenario analysis 
  • A sustainability assessment framework
  • Revenue- and norms-based screening

The result is a top-down, macroeconomic and research-led portfolio, which seeks to generate value for our clients throughout economic cycles.

Change brings opportunities. Short-term changes can be as unpredictable as a river’s meander, but by focusing on long-term trends we think it’s possible to figure out the likely destination.
James Squires

Meet the managers

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You can invest in this strategy through the following fund(s).

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Strategy portfolio holdings

A list of the top 10 holdings that the representative portfolio invests in.

All figures up to: 28 February 2025

#Holding% of portfolio
1Australia 4.25% (Green Bond) 21/06/20344.6%
2Blackrock GBP LEAF Fund4.6%
3Citi/BG Value Equity ETN3.5%
4Citi/BG EM Equity ETN3.5%
5Leadenhall UCITS ILS Fund3.3%
6Galene Fund3.0%
7Baillie Gifford Responsible Global Equity Income Fund2.9%
83i Infrastructure2.7%
9Baillie Gifford Positive Change Fund2.6%
10Aegon ABS Opportunity Fund Acc2.5%

Strategy holdings by asset allocation

All figures up to: 28 February 2025

Created with Highcharts 11.4.6Listed EquitiesPropertyHigh Yield CreditStructured FinanceCommoditiesEmerging Market BondsInfrastructureGovernment BondsInsurance LinkedSpecial OpportunitiesActive Rates and CurrencyCash and Equivalents12345678910111217.0%7.8%5.0%10.0%4.3%8.8%22.0%4.6%11.4%-0.8%0.0%9.9%

Total: 100%

Please note

The information contained on this page is intended as a guide only and should not be relied upon when making investment decisions. All holdings information is unaudited. Source Baillie Gifford & Co. Please note that totals may not add due to rounding.

Invest in this strategy

You can invest in this strategy through the following fund(s).

Explore further

Curious to learn more about our products and what we can offer you? Please get in touch.

Insights

Key articles, videos and podcasts relating to the strategy:

Filters

Insights

Viewing 21 of 21
  1. Multi Asset Q1 update

    The Multi Asset Team reflects on recent performance, portfolio changes and market developments over the last quarter.
    April 2025
    Video11 minutes
  2. Climate scenarios: so what?

    Six themes we think will influence companies’ futures as the world adapts to climate change.
    February 2025
    Article13 minutes
  3. Climate scenarios: preparing for uncertainty

    How scenario analysis and climate adaptation can unlock exciting investment opportunities in resilient companies.
    February 2025
    Video47 minutes
  4. Climate and energy scenarios

    Explore four climate transition scenarios, their economic impacts and investment strategies for a low-carbon future.
    February 2025
    Article4 minutes
  5. Multi Asset Q4 update

    The Multi Asset Team reflects on recent performance, portfolio changes and market developments.
    January 2025
    Video12 minutes
  6. Abstract Blue Colour Digital Particles Wave With Bokeh And Light Background

    The Plutus CLO Fund: seizing market opportunities

    How leveraging opportunities in the European CLO market enhanced our structured finance solutions.
    December 2024
    Article3 minutes
  7. Brightline private inter-city rail train in West Palm Beach in Florida, United States

    Too long to drive, too short to fly

    Meet the rail company reshaping high-speed intercity travel across the US.
    November 2024
    Article3 minutes
  8. The clean energy election

    Will the US election result affect investors in US renewables? Felix Amoako-Kwarteng finds out.
    October 2024
    Article7 minutes
  9. Multi Asset Q3 update

    The Multi Asset Team reflects on recent performance, portfolio changes and market developments.
    October 2024
    Video12 minutes
  10. The Climate Scenarios Project: part 2

    The impact of Disorderly Transition scenarios on macro indicators and market outcomes.
    September 2024
    Document
  11. The rate cut conundrum: Multi Asset’s LTRE

    Insights on economic growth, inflation trends, and investment opportunities in bonds, equities, and more for the next decade.
    August 2024
    Article7 minutes
  12. Multi Asset Q2 update

    The Multi Asset Team reflects on recent performance, portfolio changes and market developments.
    July 2024
    Video12 minutes
  13. The case for UK water investments

    Uncover the resilient UK water companies showcasing their growth prospects in the face of regulatory and environmental hurdles.
    July 2024
    Video10 minutes
  14. Japan: the land of the rising yield

    How Japan's changing economy is reshaping the Multi Asset investment landscape.
    May 2024
    Article4 minutes
  15. Multi Asset investment update

    An update on performance, portfolio developments and where we see new opportunities.
    April 2024
    Video32 minutes
  16. Multi Asset investment update

    An update on the portfolio, market environment and outlook for the year ahead.
    January 2024
    Video30 minutes
  17. Multi Asset: Investment process evolution

    Focusing on the central pillars of our multi-asset investment process has sparked an evolution.
    November 2023
    Article
  18. Multi Asset Q3 investment update

    How is the portfolio adapting to risks and opportunities? Scott Lothian explains.
    October 2023
    Video32 minutes
  19. Multi Asset quarterly update

    James Squires reflects on the current environment influencing Multi Asset portfolios.
    July 2023
    Video32 minutes
  20. Why now for multi-asset investing

    Who benefits from the new macro environment? Why multi-asset investing remains a viable option.
    June 2023
    Article
  21. Multi Asset quarterly update

    Scott Lothian explains how Multi Asset is riding out the ups and downs of market volatility.
    April 2023
    Video31 minutes

Multi Asset Q4 update

The Multi Asset Team reflects on recent performance, portfolio changes and market developments over the last quarter.

  1. Multi Asset Q1 update

    The Multi Asset Team reflects on recent performance, portfolio changes and market developments over the last quarter.
    April 2025
    Video11 minutes
  2. Climate scenarios: so what?

    Six themes we think will influence companies’ futures as the world adapts to climate change.
    February 2025
    Article13 minutes
  3. Climate scenarios: preparing for uncertainty

    How scenario analysis and climate adaptation can unlock exciting investment opportunities in resilient companies.
    February 2025
    Video47 minutes
  4. Climate and energy scenarios

    Explore four climate transition scenarios, their economic impacts and investment strategies for a low-carbon future.
    February 2025
    Article4 minutes
  5. Multi Asset Q4 update

    The Multi Asset Team reflects on recent performance, portfolio changes and market developments.
    January 2025
    Video12 minutes
  6. Abstract Blue Colour Digital Particles Wave With Bokeh And Light Background

    The Plutus CLO Fund: seizing market opportunities

    How leveraging opportunities in the European CLO market enhanced our structured finance solutions.
    December 2024
    Article3 minutes
  7. Brightline private inter-city rail train in West Palm Beach in Florida, United States

    Too long to drive, too short to fly

    Meet the rail company reshaping high-speed intercity travel across the US.
    November 2024
    Article3 minutes
  8. The clean energy election

    Will the US election result affect investors in US renewables? Felix Amoako-Kwarteng finds out.
    October 2024
    Article7 minutes
  9. Multi Asset Q3 update

    The Multi Asset Team reflects on recent performance, portfolio changes and market developments.
    October 2024
    Video12 minutes
  10. The Climate Scenarios Project: part 2

    The impact of Disorderly Transition scenarios on macro indicators and market outcomes.
    September 2024
    Document
  11. The rate cut conundrum: Multi Asset’s LTRE

    Insights on economic growth, inflation trends, and investment opportunities in bonds, equities, and more for the next decade.
    August 2024
    Article7 minutes
  12. Multi Asset Q2 update

    The Multi Asset Team reflects on recent performance, portfolio changes and market developments.
    July 2024
    Video12 minutes
  13. The case for UK water investments

    Uncover the resilient UK water companies showcasing their growth prospects in the face of regulatory and environmental hurdles.
    July 2024
    Video10 minutes
  14. Japan: the land of the rising yield

    How Japan's changing economy is reshaping the Multi Asset investment landscape.
    May 2024
    Article4 minutes
  15. Multi Asset investment update

    An update on performance, portfolio developments and where we see new opportunities.
    April 2024
    Video32 minutes
  16. Multi Asset investment update

    An update on the portfolio, market environment and outlook for the year ahead.
    January 2024
    Video30 minutes
  17. Multi Asset: Investment process evolution

    Focusing on the central pillars of our multi-asset investment process has sparked an evolution.
    November 2023
    Article
  18. Multi Asset Q3 investment update

    How is the portfolio adapting to risks and opportunities? Scott Lothian explains.
    October 2023
    Video32 minutes
  19. Multi Asset quarterly update

    James Squires reflects on the current environment influencing Multi Asset portfolios.
    July 2023
    Video32 minutes
  20. Why now for multi-asset investing

    Who benefits from the new macro environment? Why multi-asset investing remains a viable option.
    June 2023
    Article
  21. Multi Asset quarterly update

    Scott Lothian explains how Multi Asset is riding out the ups and downs of market volatility.
    April 2023
    Video31 minutes

Invest in this strategy

You can invest in this strategy through the following fund(s).

Explore further

Curious to learn more about our products and what we can offer you? Please get in touch.

How to invest in this strategy

You can invest in this strategy through the following fund(s).

Explore further

Curious to learn more about our products and what we can offer you? Please get in touch.

Important information

Baillie Gifford Overseas Limited is wholly owned by Baillie Gifford & Co. Baillie Gifford Overseas Limited provides investment management and advisory services to non-UK clients. Both are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

The information provided does not constitute an offer of or solicitation for purchase or sale of securities or provision of any investment services. Any general enquiries regarding Baillie Gifford should be directed to the relevant individual as noted in the Contact Us section.

The information contained in this website has been compiled with considerable care to ensure its accuracy at the date of publication. However, no representation or warranty, express or implied, is made to its accuracy or completeness. Nothing in this information or elsewhere in this website shall exclude, limit or restrict our duties and liabilities to you under the United Kingdom's Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 or any conduct of business rules which we are bound to comply with.

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