Capital at risk

Investment strategy

Responsible Global Alpha

Our core task is the patient, engaged ownership of responsible companies with the potential to deliver superior but underappreciated earnings growth.  

Drone view of a car crossing a bridge in Iceland with blue steams of glacier water.

A diverse range of responsible companies

An ambitious approach to investing in responsible growth companies from right across the spectrum of opportunity. We are flexible in seeking these opportunities, recognising the valuable diversity of ways in which growth can be achieved.

Global Alpha: our philosophy

Investment manager Helen Xiong introduces Global Alpha, reflecting on the exciting opportunities ahead.

A truly global portfolio

We aim to identify companies which can grow their earnings at a superior rate to the market over sustained periods, where this potential is not reflected in the price.  

As share prices are ultimately driven by earnings growth, this approach underpins our objective to deliver returns 2 to 3 per cent per annum ahead of the benchmark over rolling five-year periods before the deduction of fees. The strategy also excludes investment in companies which fail to meet our criteria for responsible behaviour.  

Our research draws on the work and insights of the entire Baillie Gifford investment floor. 

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.

Attractive opportunities from across the spectrum

Our philosophy is to invest long-term in well-managed businesses with sustainable competitive advantages. We embrace diversity, splitting the portfolio of around 90 holdings across our three growth profiles:  

Compounders aim to exploit the power of earnings compounding. Disruptors seek to identify early-stage firms with explosive potential. Capital allocators back skilled management teams, often in cyclical industries.

At the heart of Global Alpha’s patient approach to long-term capital growth lies our belief in diversity. We don’t rely on a single definition of what ‘growth’ means.
Spencer Adair

Meet the managers

Documents

Philosophy and process

Explore our investment philosophy and the processes around how the team constructs the portfolio.

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Strategy portfolio holdings

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

All figures up to: 31 March 2025

#CompanyFund %
1Meta Platforms Inc4.4%
2Amazon.com4.0%
3Microsoft3.9%
4Prosus N.V.3.7%
5NVIDIA3.6%
6TSMC3.1%
7Doordash Inc3.0%
8Elevance Health Inc2.9%
9Mastercard2.6%
10Service Corp.Intl.2.5%

Strategy holdings by sector

All figures up to: 31 March 2025

Created with Highcharts 11.4.6Consumer DiscretionaryInformation TechnologyFinancialsIndustrialsCommunication ServicesHealth CareMaterialsReal EstateConsumer StaplesCash1234567891024.13%20.68%13.22%11.37%11.05%10.02%6.00%2.00%0.09%1.44%

Total: 100%

Strategy holdings by region

All figures up to: 31 March 2025

Created with Highcharts 11.4.6North AmericaEurope (ex UK)Emerging MarketsDeveloped Asia PacificUKCash12345663.39%17.15%11.08%6.49%0.46%1.44%

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.

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Insights

Key articles, videos and podcasts relating to the strategy:

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Insights

Viewing 27 of 27
  1. Global Alpha Q1 update

    The Global Alpha Team reflects on recent performance, portfolio changes and market developments.
    April 2025
    Video9 minutes
  2. Global Alpha Q1 investor letter

    The Global Alpha Team reflects on recent performance, portfolio changes and market developments.
    April 2025
    Article12 minutes
  3. Illustration of delivery cyclist with oversized leg muscles and passport stamps on his clothes

    DoorDash: delivering the goods

    How DoorDash’s ambitions extend far beyond restaurant deliveries.
    March 2025
    Article7 minutes
  4. Global Alpha Insights: investing in resilience beyond political cycles

    Why the Global Alpha Team believes elections don't impact stock market returns.
    January 2025
    Article3 minutes
  5. Global Alpha Q4 update

    The Global Alpha Team reflects on recent performance, portfolio changes and market developments.
    January 2025
    Video10 minutes
  6. Global Alpha Q4 investor letter

    The Global Alpha Team reflects on recent performance, portfolio changes and market developments.
    January 2025
    Article11 minutes
  7. A shepherd dog popping his head up from a sheep flock. Disguise, uniqueness and/or lost in the crowd concept

    Global Alpha insights: Rakuten and the 'Dog Shogun'

    Richie Vernon, investment specialist, explains why the Global Alpha Team has a different perspective on Rakuten's future market growth.
    October 2024
    Article4 minutes
  8. Global Alpha Q3 investor letter

    The Global Alpha Team reflects on recent performance, portfolio changes and market developments
    October 2024
    Article7 minutes
  9. Do elections matter for stock returns?

    What the past tells us about a new US president’s impact on growth companies.
    October 2024
    Article6 minutes
  10. Why growth investors can’t ignore China

    China’s electric car, battery and other advanced manufacturers are on the rise.
    October 2024
    Podcast26 minutes
  11. Global Alpha Q3 update

    The Global Alpha Team reflects on recent performance, portfolio changes and market developments.
    October 2024
    Video10 minutes
  12. Global Alpha insights: unlocking the magic of Disney

    Why the Global Alpha Team believes there is a magical journey ahead for Disney.
    September 2024
    Article4 minutes
  13. Investment specialist Ben James

    Future Stocks: Our best ideas in the US

    Ben James explains why DoorDash, The Trade Desk and CoStar stand out as growth stocks.
    September 2024
    Video3 minutes
  14. Eric Beinhocker: evolutionary economist

    How successful companies harness the power of adaptation.
    September 2024
    Article7 minutes
  15. Illustration of semiconductors making up a DNA strand with products floating in background.

    Beyond NVIDIA: investing in semiconductors

    Why some of the leading computer chip makers and companies enabling them have room to grow.
    September 2024
    Article6 minutes
  16. China: the new shoots of growth

    Why advanced manufacturing and social context are key to investing in tomorrow’s Chinese giants.
    September 2024
    Article5 minutes
  17. Global Alpha Q2 update

    The Global Alpha Team reflects on recent performance, portfolio changes and market developments.
    July 2024
    Video11 minutes
  18. Global Alpha Q1 update

    The Global Alpha Team reflects on recent performance, portfolio changes and market developments.
    April 2024
    Video13 minutes
  19. The US building bonanza

    America’s infrastructure upgrade plan vastly exceeds its spending on rebuilding post-war Europe.
    March 2024
    Article4 minutes
  20. Global Alpha Research Agenda

    From AI to infrastructure – Global Alpha homes in on the growth areas and companies best placed to exploit opportunities.
    March 2024
    Article8 minutes
  21. Global Alpha: back to growth

    The managers tell a London Investment Forum about new sources of opportunity and optimism.
    March 2024
    Article6 minutes
  22. Moderna: designing drugs on a computer

    Can scientists meet unmet health needs by writing code to help the body heal itself?
    January 2024
    Article4 minutes
  23. Why growth, why now?

    Tough times play to the partnership’s strengths: analysing what enables us to adapt and thrive amid rapid change.
    December 2023
    Article17 minutes
  24. How Microsoft got its mojo back

    By shifting the focus from Windows and embracing AI, the firm has revitalised its fortunes.
    November 2023
    Article
  25. Global Alpha: manager update

    The managers discuss the market environment, portfolio positioning and current opportunities.
    October 2023
    Video60 minutes
  26. Making health insurance manageable

    How Elevance Health uses its scale to smooth a path through the US health system’s maze.
    June 2023
    Article
  27. Global Alpha Research Agenda 2023

    How can we invest in quality companies with the potential to generate sustainable returns in a changing market?
    January 2023
    Article

Global Alpha Q4 update

The Global Alpha Team reflects on recent performance, portfolio changes and market developments.

  1. Global Alpha Q1 update

    The Global Alpha Team reflects on recent performance, portfolio changes and market developments.
    April 2025
    Video9 minutes
  2. Global Alpha Q1 investor letter

    The Global Alpha Team reflects on recent performance, portfolio changes and market developments.
    April 2025
    Article12 minutes
  3. Illustration of delivery cyclist with oversized leg muscles and passport stamps on his clothes

    DoorDash: delivering the goods

    How DoorDash’s ambitions extend far beyond restaurant deliveries.
    March 2025
    Article7 minutes
  4. Global Alpha Insights: investing in resilience beyond political cycles

    Why the Global Alpha Team believes elections don't impact stock market returns.
    January 2025
    Article3 minutes
  5. Global Alpha Q4 update

    The Global Alpha Team reflects on recent performance, portfolio changes and market developments.
    January 2025
    Video10 minutes
  6. Global Alpha Q4 investor letter

    The Global Alpha Team reflects on recent performance, portfolio changes and market developments.
    January 2025
    Article11 minutes
  7. A shepherd dog popping his head up from a sheep flock. Disguise, uniqueness and/or lost in the crowd concept

    Global Alpha insights: Rakuten and the 'Dog Shogun'

    Richie Vernon, investment specialist, explains why the Global Alpha Team has a different perspective on Rakuten's future market growth.
    October 2024
    Article4 minutes
  8. Global Alpha Q3 investor letter

    The Global Alpha Team reflects on recent performance, portfolio changes and market developments
    October 2024
    Article7 minutes
  9. Do elections matter for stock returns?

    What the past tells us about a new US president’s impact on growth companies.
    October 2024
    Article6 minutes
  10. Why growth investors can’t ignore China

    China’s electric car, battery and other advanced manufacturers are on the rise.
    October 2024
    Podcast26 minutes
  11. Global Alpha Q3 update

    The Global Alpha Team reflects on recent performance, portfolio changes and market developments.
    October 2024
    Video10 minutes
  12. Global Alpha insights: unlocking the magic of Disney

    Why the Global Alpha Team believes there is a magical journey ahead for Disney.
    September 2024
    Article4 minutes
  13. Investment specialist Ben James

    Future Stocks: Our best ideas in the US

    Ben James explains why DoorDash, The Trade Desk and CoStar stand out as growth stocks.
    September 2024
    Video3 minutes
  14. Eric Beinhocker: evolutionary economist

    How successful companies harness the power of adaptation.
    September 2024
    Article7 minutes
  15. Illustration of semiconductors making up a DNA strand with products floating in background.

    Beyond NVIDIA: investing in semiconductors

    Why some of the leading computer chip makers and companies enabling them have room to grow.
    September 2024
    Article6 minutes
  16. China: the new shoots of growth

    Why advanced manufacturing and social context are key to investing in tomorrow’s Chinese giants.
    September 2024
    Article5 minutes
  17. Global Alpha Q2 update

    The Global Alpha Team reflects on recent performance, portfolio changes and market developments.
    July 2024
    Video11 minutes
  18. Global Alpha Q1 update

    The Global Alpha Team reflects on recent performance, portfolio changes and market developments.
    April 2024
    Video13 minutes
  19. The US building bonanza

    America’s infrastructure upgrade plan vastly exceeds its spending on rebuilding post-war Europe.
    March 2024
    Article4 minutes
  20. Global Alpha Research Agenda

    From AI to infrastructure – Global Alpha homes in on the growth areas and companies best placed to exploit opportunities.
    March 2024
    Article8 minutes
  21. Global Alpha: back to growth

    The managers tell a London Investment Forum about new sources of opportunity and optimism.
    March 2024
    Article6 minutes
  22. Moderna: designing drugs on a computer

    Can scientists meet unmet health needs by writing code to help the body heal itself?
    January 2024
    Article4 minutes
  23. Why growth, why now?

    Tough times play to the partnership’s strengths: analysing what enables us to adapt and thrive amid rapid change.
    December 2023
    Article17 minutes
  24. How Microsoft got its mojo back

    By shifting the focus from Windows and embracing AI, the firm has revitalised its fortunes.
    November 2023
    Article
  25. Global Alpha: manager update

    The managers discuss the market environment, portfolio positioning and current opportunities.
    October 2023
    Video60 minutes
  26. Making health insurance manageable

    How Elevance Health uses its scale to smooth a path through the US health system’s maze.
    June 2023
    Article
  27. Global Alpha Research Agenda 2023

    How can we invest in quality companies with the potential to generate sustainable returns in a changing market?
    January 2023
    Article

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 provides investment management and advisory services to non-UK clients and is authorised and regulated by the UK Financial Conduct Authority. Baillie Gifford Overseas Limited is not licensed under the Regulation of Investment Advising, Investment Marketing and Portfolio Management Law, 5755-1995 (the “Advice Law”) and does not carry insurance pursuant to the Advice Law.

Baillie Gifford Overseas Limited markets and distributes Baillie Gifford’s range of collective investment schemes to Qualified Clients and Qualified Investors in Israel, as listed in the First Addendum to the Regulation of Investment Advising, Investment Marketing and Portfolio Management Law, 5755-1995 (the “Advice Law”) and in the First Addendum to the Israel Securities Law, 5728-1968 (the “Securities Law”). Detailed disclosure of the collective investment schemes can be found within this website and in the relevant scheme prospectus.

Baillie Gifford Overseas Limited does not provide investment advice. If you are in any doubt about whether an investment is suitable, you should seek independent advice.

No action has been or will be taken in Israel that would permit a public offering or distribution of the Funds mentioned in this website to the public in Israel. This website and the Funds mentioned herein have not been approved by the Israeli Securities Authority (the “ISA”). In addition, the Funds mentioned in this website are not regulated under the provisions of Israel’s Joint Investment Trusts law, 5754-1994 (the “Joint Investment Trusts Law”). This website and the Funds mentioned herein will only be distributed to Israeli residents in reliance on an exemption from any advice or marketing restrictions [in a manner that will not constitute “an offer to the public” under sections 15 and 15a of]/[in reliance on an exemption from the prospectus requirements under] the Israel Securities Law, 5728-1968 (the “Securities Law”) or the Joint Investment Trusts Law, and any guidelines, pronouncements or rulings issued from time to time by the ISA as applicable.