Understanding investment funds

The Luxembourg investment fund industry is internationally recognised for its expertise and excellence. But do you know exactly what an investment fund is and how it works? If you are considering investing, these are questions that you will inevitably need to ask yourself. myLIFE helps you understand the main mechanisms involved.*

You have set aside a little money and are considering investing in order to grow your capital? Among the solutions available, the investment fund is undoubtedly one of the essential products to know in the world of financial investments in Luxembourg.

What is an investment fund?

An investment fund is an investment vehicle that allows private and institutional investors to pool their capital in order to invest in different categories of assets: shares, bonds, property, derivatives, and so on.

It is managed by a management company that is subject to the supervision of the regulatory authority in the territory where it carries out its activities. Capital is collected from savers and then invested by the portfolio manager according to a predefined and publicly known strategy.

Thus, rather than purchasing financial instruments individually, you invest your money in a portfolio made up of several securities. You then hold a fraction of that portfolio, proportional to your investment. Depending on the strategy of the selected fund, this approach may enable you to diversify your investments and thereby reduce the concentration risk of your holdings.

Funds play an important role in the economy. They contribute to financing it by directing investors’ savings towards companies, governments, themes or projects of various kinds.

Funds play an important role in the economy. They contribute to financing it by directing investors’ savings towards companies, governments, themes or projects of various kinds. They can also support the development of innovative and responsible sectors, thereby fostering sustainable growth.

What are the different types of funds in Luxembourg?

There are several types of investment funds on the financial markets, each with its own operating methods and characteristics. They may be classified according to their regulatory framework. The main categories are:

• • Undertakings for Collective Investment in Transferable Securities (UCITS): intended for a broad range of investors and governed by the European UCITS (Undertakings for Collective Investment in Transferable Securities) Directive.
  • Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs): generally intended for well-informed investors such as professionals or institutional investors (and, in some cases, experienced private investors, subject to certain conditions) and managed by management companies that are subject to the Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive (AIFMD).

These funds may also take different legal forms, such as the FCP (Common Investment Fund) or the SICAV (Open-Ended Investment Company). Furthermore, Luxembourg offers a range of investment vehicles tailored to different needs, such as SIFs (Specialised Investment Fund), SICARs (Investment Company in Risk Capital) and RAIFs (Reserved Alternative Investment Fund).

Funds may also be distinguished according to their strategy and the types of assets in which they invest. Among the most common are:

• • Equity funds: capital is invested primarily in listed shares. The fund may focus on a geographical region (Japan, United States, etc.) or a specific business sector (biotechnology, property, natural resources, etc.).
  • Bond funds: they invest mainly in government or corporate bonds, in other words, debt securities.
  • Mixed funds: they combine different investment categories: shares, bonds, money market instruments, and so on.
  • Property funds: capital is invested directly or indirectly in property: rental buildings, shopping centres, offices, car parks, and so on.
  • Index funds: they seek to replicate as closely as possible the performance of a stock market index (S&P 500, CAC 40, etc.). Many ETFs (Exchange-Traded Funds) belong to this category.
  • Etc.

Not all funds are managed in the same way. Some are managed actively: the manager selects investments with the aim of achieving performance above that of a benchmark index or reaching a defined objective. Others are managed passively: the manager then seeks to replicate as closely as possible the performance of a benchmark index.

It should also be noted that there are distribution funds and accumulation funds. In the former, the income generated (dividends, interest) is regularly paid out to investors, whereas in the latter it is automatically reinvested in the fund in order to promote capital growth (compounding effect).

Subscribing to a fund always involves risks. The higher the level of risk associated with a fund, the greater the potential gains (and losses).

The key stages in the operation of an investment fund

To invest your money in a fund, you generally need to contact the distributor: a bank, broker, fund management company, authorised distributor, and so on.

• • You purchase units (in an FCP) or shares (in a SICAV) from the distributor. They represent a fraction of the pooled portfolio. The price of a unit or share is generally based on the Net Asset Value (NAV), calculated from the value of the assets held by the fund.
  • The capital is then invested in different categories of assets in order to build a portfolio in line with the fund’s objectives.
  • The portfolio manager monitors the performance of the assets and makes purchase or sale decisions in accordance with the established strategy. This involves close monitoring and in-depth market analysis. The manager also provides regular information regarding the fund’s performance.
  • Depending on the type of fund, investment income is distributed or reinvested.
  • You may then recover your investment by requesting the redemption of your units or shares and, depending on changes in the fund’s value, realise a gain or incur a loss.

Good to know: subscribing to a fund always involves risks. The higher the level of risk associated with a fund, the greater its potential gains (and losses). This indicator is presented on a scale ranging from 1 (lowest risk) to 7 (highest risk), and it must appear in the Key Information Document.

The taxation applicable to income and capital gains derived from an investment fund depends on your country of tax residence and your personal circumstances.

Main advantages and disadvantages of investment funds

Depending on your strategy, an investment fund may give you access to a diversified portfolio, made up of different assets, sectors or geographical areas. This can help limit the impact of poor performance by certain investments on the portfolio as a whole.

A fund also allows you to access a wide range of financial products that might not have been accessible had you invested on your own.

Finally, you benefit from management provided by financial market professionals.

However, like any investment, an investment fund involves a risk of capital loss. It may also be exposed to various investment-related risks: interest-rate risk, credit risk, currency risk and liquidity risk.

You must also consider the fees that may affect the profitability of your investment: entry and exit fees, management fees and performance fees. These vary according to the type of fund and the management approach (active or passive). They are detailed in the KID.

Good to know: the taxation applicable to income and capital gains derived from an investment fund depends on your country of tax residence and your personal circumstances. It is recommended that you seek advice from a financial, legal or tax adviser before investing.

Before investing, do not hesitate to seek support from your banker. They can help you define your strategy, better understand the different products, and identify those that match your profile and objectives.

Do not forget that investing your money in an investment fund exposes you to a risk of capital loss and that past performance is not an indication of future performance.

* Content translated from French by the BIL GPT AI tool