Quarterly Letter
Fourth Quarter 2025
Dear investor,
2025 was a good year for our foremost funds. International equity funds Bestinfond and Bestinver Internacional generated double-digit returns for the third consecutive year—of 12.7% and 10.6%, respectively—bringing their annualised three-year profitability to above 16% in both cases. Bestinver Bolsa, our Iberian fund, appreciated by 58.1% in 2025 and by 29.4% annualised to three years. Lastly, in fixed income, Bestinver Renta outpaced Spanish inflation, with annual gains of 3.1% and 6.9% in the last three years. These increases predominately reflect the increase in the value of our portfolios over the course of 2025. Even in the market narratives like the current one, fundamentals and valuation continue to rule.
The climate over the last twelve months has been good for equities. Equity markets have been buoyed by sustained economic growth, solid corporate earnings and attractive valuations—barring a few exceptions. On the macro front, according to International Monetary Fund estimates, global GDP grew by around 3%, US GDP by around 2%, and European GDP by around 1.4%. As for monetary policy, there were no major surprises. With inflation contained, the ECB set rates at 2%, while the Fed put the range at 3.50%-3.75%. Lastly, corporate earnings again proved more resilient than expected, with increases of 12% in the US and moderately positive growth in Europe. Against this backdrop, it is not surprising that the main indices closed the year around highs.
However, it has not been an easy road. A number of negative narratives have monetarily eclipsed the underlying strength of the economy, businesses and consumers. In April, the doubts about US trade policy pushed the leading global indices down by close to 20%. That correction, one of the sharpest on record, pointed to a severe and imminent recession, in light of the impact tariffs might have on global trade. That recession did not ultimately materialise. As in 2022, the gloomiest forecasts missed the mark. However, this has not been the only source of uncertainty: political instability in France and Germany, the DeepSeek unveil, investment in artificial intelligence, and geopolitical tensions also sparked several episodes of volatility over the course of 2025.
In the year, we have witnessed a clash between what reality seems to be and what it actually is. On the one hand, the data confirmed solid economic and business fundamentals, which exceeded market expectations from one quarter to the next. On the other hand, the narrative has shifted with each news report, going from a positive outlook for the US and a negative one for Europe at the end of 2024 to the exact opposite at the beginning of 2026
Our strategy for navigating our way through these erratic market movements remains unchanged: invest with discipline and patience in good companies at attractive valuations, with the aim of creating long-term value. In 2025, this strategy continued to deliver good results.
With a view to 2026, the outlook remains positive for equity markets. Economic, inflation and interest rate forecasts are constructive and coherent, pointing to corporate earnings growth of at least 7% in Europe and 10% in the United States. However, there are risks that might unleash episodes of volatility. The implementation of the European stimulus plan, the effect of tax cuts on businesses and households in the United States, and geopolitical tensions—which since early 2026 have been high across all continents—are the main sources of concern. Nevertheless, against a backdrop of solid fundamentals and attractive valuations, corrections are a good buy opportunity which long-term investors must tap into.
Lastly, many investors have asked us about the funds’ positioning as equity markets are trading at record highs. Contrary to appearances, numerous market segments have been impacted by gloomy narratives, leading to very attractive valuations, and giving us good ideas for the portfolios. For example, in sectors that have traditionally been as profitable as pharmaceuticals, food & beverages and consumer, we have bought into high-quality blue-chip companies at historically high discounts. We also see value at the other end of the spectrum: financial, technological and industrial companies whose multiples, despite their sound performance in 2025, are not yet pricing in their potential earnings growth. As our managers explain in each fund’s newsletter, the fact is that we are finding no shortage of investment opportunities.
To sum up, despite all the noise, 2025 was a good year for the economy, equities and our funds. And, although we cannot know precisely what the future holds, 2026 has kicked off with solid fundamentals that augur well for equity markets. Our portfolios are positioned in high-quality companies, where the market perception does not reflect the reality of the business, and whose valuations remain too low. This unusual combination makes us look forward to the next few years with confidence and optimism.
On a different tack, we are delighted to announce the launch of Bestinver Solidario F.I., an international equity fund that will earmark up to 80% of its management fee to the Jérôme Lejeune Foundation. This foundation is dedicated to improving the quality of life of people with intellectual disabilities caused by genetic factors, and the families of these individuals, through specialist medical attention, research and training. To find out more, you may contact our investor relations team or visit this link (in Spanish).
To close, many thanks for your renewed trust; wishing you a magnificent 2026.
Yours,
Mark Giacopazzi
Download the full quarterly Letter