Global Innovators - April Commentary
Portfolio Manager, Global Team
Portfolio Manager, Global Team
This is a marketing communication. Please refer to the prospectus, supplement and KID/KIID for the Funds before making any final investment decisions. The value of this investment can fall as well as rise as a result of market and currency fluctuations. You may not get back the amount you invested.
Past performance does not predict future returns.
The first quarter of 2026 was market by a sharp shift in market sentiment due to geopolitical tensions and energy market disruptions, which in turn have prompted a reassessment of the global monetary policy outlook given concerns around inflation and uncertainties over the prolonging of the conflict. Against this backdrop, equities among other asset classes experienced broad-based corrections as investors struggled for areas of safety.
Alongside the macro turbulence, the quarter saw a meaningful shift in how markets are pricing the long-term AI opportunity. The software sector in particular came under renewed scrutiny on the prospect of greater commoditisation or even displacement by AI. As a result, the sector has experienced notable weakness, with the S&P 500 Software index trading at a discount to the broader market despite historically commanding a significant premium.
Source: Guinness Global Investors, MSCI, Bloomberg, as of 31.03.2026
In this commentary, we examine the implications of the current geopolitical environment on market dynamics. We also dive deeper into the software industry weakness to understand whether this reflects a structural shift in the industry landscape and how the market is repricing these companies.
We also report on the performance, key metrics and positioning of our 30-stock portfolio.
The value of this investment can fall as well as rise as a result of market and currency fluctuations. You may not get back the amount you invested.
The information provided on this page is for informational purposes only. While we believe it to be reliable, it may be inaccurate or incomplete. Any opinions stated are honestly held at the time of publication, but are not guaranteed and should therefore not be relied upon. This content should not be relied upon as financial advice or a recommendation to invest in the Funds or to buy or sell individual securities, nor does it constitute an offer for sale. Full details on Ongoing Charges Figures (OCFs) for all share classes are available here.
The Guinness Global Innovators Funds are designed to provide investors with global exposure to companies benefiting from innovations in technology, communication, globalisation or innovative management strategies. Innovation can take many forms, not just disruptive tech driven products. It is the intelligent application of ideas and is found in most industries and at different stages in company lifecycle. The Funds are actively managed and use the MSCI World Index as a comparator benchmark only.
For the avoidance of doubt, if you decide to invest, you will be buying units/shares in the Fund and will not be investing directly in the underlying assets of the Fund
Guinness Global Innovators Fund
Documentation
The documentation needed to make an investment, including the Prospectus, the Supplement, the Key Investor Information Document (KIID), the Key Information Document (KID) and the Application Form, is available from the website www.guinnessgi.com , or free of charge from:
- the Manager: Waystone Management Company (IE) Limited 2nd Floor 35 Shelbourne Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin DO4 A4E0; or,
- the Promoter and Investment Manager: Guinness Asset Management Ltd, 18 Smith Square, London SW1P 3HZ.
Waystone IE is a company incorporated under the laws of Ireland having its registered office at 35 Shelbourne Rd, Ballsbridge, Dublin, D04 A4E0 Ireland, which is authorised by the Central Bank of Ireland, has appointed Guinness Asset Management Ltd as Investment Manager to this fund, and as Manager has the right to terminate the arrangements made for the marketing of funds in accordance with the UCITS Directive.
Investor Rights
A summary of investor rights in English, including collective redress mechanisms, is available here: https://www.waystone.com/waystone-policies/
Residency
In countries where the Fund is not registered for sale or in any other circumstances where their distribution is not authorised or is unlawful, the Funds should not be distributed to resident Retail Clients. NOTE: THIS INVESTMENT IS NOT FOR SALE TO U.S. PERSONS.
Structure & Regulation
The Fund is a sub-fund of Guinness Asset Management Funds PLC, an open-ended umbrella-type investment company, incorporated in Ireland and authorised and supervised by the Central Bank of Ireland, which operates under EU legislation. The Fund has been approved by the Financial Conduct Authority for sale in the UK.
If you are in any doubt about the suitability of investing in these Funds, please consult your investment or other professional adviser.
WS Guinness Global Innovators Fund
Documentation
The documentation needed to make an investment, including the Prospectus, the Supplement, the Key Investor Information Document (KIID) and the Application Form, is available in English from https://www.waystone.com/our-funds/waystone-fund-services-uk-limited/ or free of charge from:-
Waystone Management (UK) Limited, PO Box 389, Darlington DL1 9UF.
E-Mail: wtas-investorservices@waystone.com
Waystone Management (UK) Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
Residency
In countries where the Fund is not registered for sale or in any other circumstances where its distribution is not authorised or is unlawful, the Fund should not be distributed to resident Retail Clients.
Structure & regulation
The Fund is a sub-fund of WS Guinness Investment Funds, an investment company with variable capital incorporated with limited liability and registered by the Financial Conduct Authority.
This Fund is registered for distribution to the public in the UK but not in any other jurisdiction. In other countries or in circumstances where its distribution is not authorised or is unlawful, the Fund should not be distributed to resident Retail Clients.