Capital at risk
Global Alpha
Our core task is the identification and patient, engaged ownership of companies with the potential to deliver superior but underappreciated earnings growth. We are flexible and open-minded in seeking these opportunities, aware of the ways growth can be achieved. Our research draws on the work and insights of the entire Baillie Gifford investment floor.
Enduring growth
An ambitious approach to investing in growth companies with exceptional potential from right across the spectrum of opportunity. Our philosophy is to make long-term investments in well-managed businesses with sustainable competitive advantages.
Global Alpha: our philosophy
Investment manager Helen Xiong introduces Global Alpha, reflecting on the exciting opportunities ahead.
High-quality companies with exceptional potential
We aim to identify companies that can grow their earnings at a superior rate to the market over sustained periods, with great potential that is not reflected in their price. As share prices are ultimately driven by earnings growth, this approach underpins our objective to deliver returns 2 per cent to 3 per cent per annum ahead of the benchmark over rolling five-year periods before the deduction of fees. The resulting portfolio of around 90 holdings represents the most attractive opportunities from across the growth spectrum at any point in time.
Diversified and differentiated
We embrace the diversity of growth available to us, splitting the portfolio across our three growth profiles – compounders, disruptors and capital allocators. The compounders profile looks to benefit from the underappreciated power of the long-term compounding of earnings. In disruptors, we seek to identify earlier-stage companies with the potential for major success. 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.
Meet the managers
Documents
Philosophy and process
Explore our investment philosophy and the processes around how the Global Alpha team construct the portfolio through its three key growth profiles (compounders, disruptors and capital allocators).
Quarterly update
Get the latest investment commentary, portfolio overview, transactions and performance information alongside governance engagement and voting.
Stewardship report
Find out about our conversations with portfolio companies, shareholder vote activity and consideration of environmental, social and governance matters.
Global Alpha Research Agenda 2024
How can we invest in quality companies with the potential to generate sustainable returns in a changing market?
Invest in this strategy
You can invest in this strategy through the following fund(s).
Invest through other vehicles
Get in touch to learn about the other ways to invest, including:
- Baillie Gifford Global Alpha Collective Investment Trust (CIT)
- Separate account
- SMA
Strategy portfolio holdings
A list of the top 10 holdings that the representative portfolio invests in.
All figures up to: 31 March 2025
| # | Holding | % of portfolio |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Meta Platforms | 4.25 |
| 2 | Amazon.com | 4.04 |
| 3 | Microsoft | 3.92 |
| 4 | Prosus | 3.61 |
| 5 | NVIDIA | 3.45 |
| 6 | TSMC | 3.02 |
| 7 | DoorDash | 2.87 |
| 8 | Elevance Health Inc. | 2.84 |
| 9 | Mastercard | 2.44 |
| 10 | Service Corporation International | 2.37 |
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).
Invest through other vehicles
Get in touch to learn about the other ways to invest, including:
- Baillie Gifford Global Alpha Collective Investment Trust (CIT)
- Separate account
- SMA
Insights
Key articles, videos and podcasts relating to the strategy:
Filters
Insights
Global Alpha insights: turbulent times
How can we participate in long-term progress without it being undone by every policy turn?
Actual investing revisited
In this keynote paper Partner Stuart Dunbar reaffirms the importance of active management to healthy capitalism.
Global Alpha: introducing Michael Taylor
Investment manager Michael Taylor joins Global Alpha as a decision-maker. We explore his background, strengths, and vision for the portfolio’s future opportunities.
Global Alpha insights: a time to trade?
Explore how we're evolving the portfolio as the investment environment enters a period of rapid change.
Alnylam: Stock Story
Richie Vernon explores the revolutionary drugs transforming patient lives.
Global Alpha Q1 update
The Global Alpha Team reflects on recent performance, portfolio changes and market developments.
Global Alpha Q1 investor letter
The Global Alpha Team reflects on recent performance, portfolio changes and market developments.
Nexans: Stock Story
Lucy Haddow examines the sub-sea cable manufacturer crucial for the offshore wind and energy transition.
Atlas Copco: Stock Story
Ben Drury explores how a culture of innovation and decentralisation drives success in industrial technology.
Moutai: Stock Story
Ben Buckler investigates the Chinese brand dominating the global luxury drinks market.
Global Alpha Insights: investing in resilience beyond political cycles
Why the Global Alpha Team believes elections don't impact stock market returns.
Global Alpha Q4 update
The Global Alpha Team reflects on recent performance, portfolio changes and market developments.
Global Alpha Q4 investor letter
The Global Alpha Team reflects on recent performance, portfolio changes and market developments.
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.
Global Alpha Q3 investor letter
The Global Alpha Team reflects on recent performance, portfolio changes and market developments
Why growth investors can’t ignore China
China’s electric car, battery and other advanced manufacturers are on the rise.
Global Alpha Q3 update
The Global Alpha Team reflects on recent performance, portfolio changes and market developments.
Global Alpha insights: unlocking the magic of Disney
Why the Global Alpha Team believes there is a magical journey ahead for Disney.
Future Stocks: Our best ideas in the US
Ben James explains why DoorDash, The Trade Desk and CoStar stand out as growth stocks.
Eric Beinhocker: evolutionary economist
How successful companies harness the power of adaptation.
Kweichow Moutai: spirit of China
The fiery spirit that’s a profitable symbol of Chinese culture and luxury.
Beyond NVIDIA: investing in semiconductors
Why some of the leading computer chip makers and companies enabling them have room to grow.
China: the new shoots of growth
Why advanced manufacturing and social context are key to investing in tomorrow’s Chinese giants.
Global Alpha Q2 update
The Global Alpha Team reflects on recent performance, portfolio changes and market developments.
Global Alpha Q1 update
The Global Alpha Team reflects on recent performance, portfolio changes and market developments.
Global Alpha Research Agenda
From AI to infrastructure – Global Alpha homes in on the growth areas and companies best placed to exploit opportunities.
Global Alpha: back to growth
The managers tell a London Investment Forum about new sources of opportunity and optimism.
Moderna: designing drugs on a computer
Can scientists meet unmet health needs by writing code to help the body heal itself?
Why growth, why now?
Tough times play to the partnership’s strengths: analysing what enables us to adapt and thrive amid rapid change.
How Microsoft got its mojo back
By shifting the focus from Windows and embracing AI, the firm has revitalised its fortunes.
Global Alpha: manager update
The managers discuss the market environment, portfolio positioning and current opportunities.
Making health insurance manageable
How Elevance Health uses its scale to smooth a path through the US health system’s maze.
Global Alpha Research Agenda 2023
How can we invest in quality companies with the potential to generate sustainable returns in a changing market?
Global Alpha Q1 update
The Global Alpha Team reflects on recent performance, portfolio changes and market developments.
Global Alpha insights: turbulent times
How can we participate in long-term progress without it being undone by every policy turn?Actual investing revisited
In this keynote paper Partner Stuart Dunbar reaffirms the importance of active management to healthy capitalism.Global Alpha: introducing Michael Taylor
Investment manager Michael Taylor joins Global Alpha as a decision-maker. We explore his background, strengths, and vision for the portfolio’s future opportunities.Global Alpha insights: a time to trade?
Explore how we're evolving the portfolio as the investment environment enters a period of rapid change.Alnylam: Stock Story
Richie Vernon explores the revolutionary drugs transforming patient lives.Global Alpha Q1 update
The Global Alpha Team reflects on recent performance, portfolio changes and market developments.Global Alpha Q1 investor letter
The Global Alpha Team reflects on recent performance, portfolio changes and market developments.Nexans: Stock Story
Lucy Haddow examines the sub-sea cable manufacturer crucial for the offshore wind and energy transition.Atlas Copco: Stock Story
Ben Drury explores how a culture of innovation and decentralisation drives success in industrial technology.Moutai: Stock Story
Ben Buckler investigates the Chinese brand dominating the global luxury drinks market.Global Alpha Insights: investing in resilience beyond political cycles
Why the Global Alpha Team believes elections don't impact stock market returns.Global Alpha Q4 update
The Global Alpha Team reflects on recent performance, portfolio changes and market developments.Global Alpha Q4 investor letter
The Global Alpha Team reflects on recent performance, portfolio changes and market developments.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.Global Alpha Q3 investor letter
The Global Alpha Team reflects on recent performance, portfolio changes and market developmentsWhy growth investors can’t ignore China
China’s electric car, battery and other advanced manufacturers are on the rise.Global Alpha Q3 update
The Global Alpha Team reflects on recent performance, portfolio changes and market developments.Global Alpha insights: unlocking the magic of Disney
Why the Global Alpha Team believes there is a magical journey ahead for Disney.Future Stocks: Our best ideas in the US
Ben James explains why DoorDash, The Trade Desk and CoStar stand out as growth stocks.Eric Beinhocker: evolutionary economist
How successful companies harness the power of adaptation.Kweichow Moutai: spirit of China
The fiery spirit that’s a profitable symbol of Chinese culture and luxury.Beyond NVIDIA: investing in semiconductors
Why some of the leading computer chip makers and companies enabling them have room to grow.China: the new shoots of growth
Why advanced manufacturing and social context are key to investing in tomorrow’s Chinese giants.Global Alpha Q2 update
The Global Alpha Team reflects on recent performance, portfolio changes and market developments.Global Alpha Q1 update
The Global Alpha Team reflects on recent performance, portfolio changes and market developments.Global Alpha Research Agenda
From AI to infrastructure – Global Alpha homes in on the growth areas and companies best placed to exploit opportunities.Global Alpha: back to growth
The managers tell a London Investment Forum about new sources of opportunity and optimism.Moderna: designing drugs on a computer
Can scientists meet unmet health needs by writing code to help the body heal itself?Why growth, why now?
Tough times play to the partnership’s strengths: analysing what enables us to adapt and thrive amid rapid change.How Microsoft got its mojo back
By shifting the focus from Windows and embracing AI, the firm has revitalised its fortunes.Global Alpha: manager update
The managers discuss the market environment, portfolio positioning and current opportunities.Making health insurance manageable
How Elevance Health uses its scale to smooth a path through the US health system’s maze.Global Alpha Research Agenda 2023
How can we invest in quality companies with the potential to generate sustainable returns in a changing market?
Invest in this strategy
You can invest in this strategy through the following fund(s).
Invest through other vehicles
Get in touch to learn about the other ways to invest, including:
- Baillie Gifford Global Alpha Collective Investment Trust (CIT)
- Separate account
- SMA
How to invest in this strategy
You can invest in this strategy through the following fund(s).
Invest through other vehicles
Get in touch to learn about the other ways to invest, including:
- Baillie Gifford Global Alpha Collective Investment Trust (CIT)
- Separate account
- SMA