Number One in Switzerland and Global Equities
We are pleased to share an important milestone for our systematic investment strategies. Both momentum equity funds developed in collaboration with Basler Kantonalbank (BKB) have achieved first place in their respective Citywire three-year performance rankings, as of 31 August 2026.
The BKB Sustainable – Swiss Equities Momentum Select (SEMS) ranked first among 197 funds in the Swiss Equities category, delivering a total return of 48.8% over three years.
At the same time, the BKB Sustainable – Global Equities Momentum Select (GEMS) secured first place among 556 funds in the Global Blend Equities category, with a remarkable three-year total return of 117.9%.
Both results are measured in Swiss francs and highlight the strong performance of our systematic momentum approach across two different equity markets.
Momentum Investing – Following the Market's Strongest Trends
Momentum investing is based on a simple but powerful observation: stocks that have performed strongly in the recent past often continue to outperform over subsequent periods. This phenomenon has been extensively documented in academic research and is recognised as one of the established factors in equity investing.
Unlike traditional investment strategies that focus primarily on company valuations, earnings forecasts or balance sheets, momentum investing concentrates on price dynamics and the relative strength of individual stocks.
The objective is to identify companies exhibiting particularly strong positive momentum while systematically reducing exposure to stocks whose momentum is weakening.
In its August 2026 edition, the Swiss business magazine BILANZ explored the remarkable long-term performance of momentum strategies in an article titled "Auf der Erfolgswelle" ("Riding the Wave of Success"). The article also featured the two momentum funds developed by BKB and Dufour Capital, highlighting their quantitative investment approach.
Our Approach – Systematic, Active and Adaptive
Together with BKB, we have developed a quantitative investment model that applies momentum investing to both Swiss and global equities. Each strategy holds a concentrated portfolio of approximately 35 equally weighted stocks, selected systematically from its respective investment universe.
A key feature of our approach is its ability to adapt to changing market conditions. Under normal circumstances, the model evaluates momentum over periods of approximately 90 to 150 days, allowing established market trends to develop while avoiding unnecessary portfolio turnover. This flexibility distinguishes our actively managed momentum strategies from more conventional, periodically rebalanced momentum indices.
Recognition Beyond Performance Rankings
The recent BILANZ article provides further recognition of the investment philosophy behind our strategies. It discusses why momentum has historically delivered attractive returns despite challenging some assumptions of traditional financial market theory.
The publication also highlights the collaboration between BKB and Dufour Capital in developing the quantitative investment model underlying both funds.
The combination of academic research, systematic portfolio construction and adaptive risk management forms the foundation of our investment approach.
While momentum strategies can experience periods of significant underperformance, particularly during abrupt market reversals, their long-term historical evidence makes them an interesting building block within diversified equity portfolios.
Two Markets, One Investment Philosophy
The strong results of both SEMS and GEMS demonstrate how the same underlying investment philosophy can be implemented across different equity markets.
With 48.8% over three years in Swiss equities and 117.9% in global equities, both funds currently lead their respective Citywire performance rankings.
For us, these results represent an encouraging validation of the systematic investment process developed together with BKB. Our focus remains on continuously refining our models, maintaining a disciplined investment approach and adapting to changing market environments.
How to Invest?
📈 If you are interested in learning more about our systematic momentum strategies (with strong risk management) or the BKB Sustainable Swiss and Global Equities Momentum Select funds, we would be happy to discuss the investment opportunities with you.
Source: Citywire, three-year fund performance rankings as of 31 August 2026; BILANZ, August 2026, "Auf der Erfolgswelle". Returns are expressed in CHF. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. Equity investments involve market risks, including the potential loss of capital. Rankings and performance figures refer to the periods indicated and may change over time.
