The ERSTE STOCK BIOTEC invests mainly in biotechnology companies from developed countries. The investment process of the fund is based on fundamental company research. The majority of the companies in this area are based in the USA. Therefore, shares from the Pacific region and Europe play a subordinate role for the fund. 

Turbulent first half year on the markets

The sentiment on the equity and bond markets was clearly down in the first half of 2022. Numerous factors are driving the current affairs at the moment. For example, inflation has increased significantly since the end of last year, which led the central banks like the Federal Reserve in the USA and the European Central Bank (ECB) to take action. In reaction to the drastic increase in inflation, the central banks tightened their monetary policy and heralded the end of low interest rates. The Ukraine war and increasing geopolitical tensions are also burdening share and bond prices.

The situation created by these three factors has increasingly led to concerns about economic growth, which is also reflected in the economic data. The development of the market environment in the second half of 2022 should therefore depend crucially on the path of inflation. Due to strong base effects, experts suggest that inflation might peak in autumn. The development of the Ukraine war from here on out will also remain an uncertainty factor for the rest of the year. Given this context, the risk of a recession is particularly high in Europe at this point in time.

For more information on a regular basis, please visit the investment blog of Erste Asset Management. Here, you can find not only articles and comments on the status quo of the market, but also interviews with experts of Erste Asset Management and interesting facts about funds and investments.

In the exclusive interview below about the first half of 2022, fund manager Harald Kober talks about his assessment of the YTD performance of the fund and his outlook for the coming months.