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Baillie Gifford

Capital at risk

Investment capability

High growth

When a company has the potential to grow its revenues rapidly, outpacing the broader economy over a sustained period, we call that high growth.

A honey hunter hanging off a cliff on a rope ladder.

What are high growth’s characteristics?

High-growth companies often drive technological change or disrupt the status quo. They may need external capital or reinvest their free cash flow to pursue future growth. They rarely pay significant dividends, and their share prices can be volatile. Many fall far short of their potential. But those that succeed can reward investors with high multiples of their initial investment. At the portfolio level, the objective is that the successful stocks much more than offset those that don’t work out.

How do we invest in high growth?

We seek ideas that can be disruptive, displacing incumbents and benefiting from profound changes in the use of goods and services over the long term. 

Our high-growth portfolios typically range from 25 to 50 stocks. They may have significant amounts invested in our strongest conviction holdings as we seek to maximise the big winners’ impact. Turnover is low at typically around 15 per cent per annum. 

High-growth strategies

  1. Scientist wearing protective equipment in a laboratory moving a tray of equipment.

    China A Shares

    A concentrated portfolio of 25-40 high-growth companies that are listed in China’s domestic market.
  2. An aerial view of Vietnamese women fishing with traditional nets in shallow water with their wooden boats nearby.

    Emerging Markets Leading Companies

    A more concentrated Global Emerging Markets portfolio of 35-60 stocks. Seeking strong opportunities to own for the long term.
  3. Landscape of a still rippled ocean at dusk in mild weather with clouds across the sky.

    Long Term Global Growth

    Concentrated portfolios of potentially game-changing companies, reshaping returns and embracing future structural shifts for success.
  4. 3d model of a plus icon featuring images of fields, landscapes and vergetables.

    Positive Change

    We invest in companies that we believe positively impact society and the environment, with the aim of generating attractive returns.
  5. Astronomical Observatory under the stars.

    Worldwide Discovery

    Finding early opportunities in small-to-mid-cap firms with the aim of discovering lasting growth and success.

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.