Smart Energy D USD - LU2145461914

Key points

Investing in companies that enable the electrification and decarbonization of the energy value chain including renewable technologies, smart grids, energy storage and energy-efficiency solutions for the building, transportation, industrial and big data sectors
A multi-decade structural growth theme accelerating due to new tailwinds from high energy prices and new energy needs leading to unprecedented public and private investments
Strong alignment to the clean electrification theme with a diversification across technologies leading to a more efficient use of energy

About this fund

Robeco Smart Energy is an actively managed sub-fund that invests globally in companies providing technologies for clean energy production, distribution, power management infrastructure and energy efficiency. The selection of these stocks is based on fundamental analysis. The Sub-fund's objective is to achieve a better return than the index. The Sub-fund has sustainable investment as its objective, within the meaning of Article 9 of the Regulation (EU) 2019/2088 of 27 November 2019 on Sustainability-related disclosures in the financial sector. The Sub-fund's objective is also to achieve a better return than the index. The strategy integrates sustainability criteria as part of the stock selection process and through a theme-specific sustainability assessment. The portfolio is built on the basis of an eligible investment universe that includes companies whose business models contribute to the thematic investment objectives. The assessment regarding relevant SDGs uses an internally developed framework, more information on which can be obtained at www.robeco.com/si.

Key facts

Per 31-08-2025

Total size of fund	USD 3’155’027’892.80
Size of share class	USD 165’684’617.58
Inception date share class	2020-10-29
1-year performance	17.38%
Dividend paying	No

Fund manager

Roman Boner
Michael Studer PhD
Sanaa Hakim

Roman Boner is Portfolio Manager of the Robeco Smart Energy strategy and member of the Thematic Investing team. Before joining Robeco in 2021, Roman was a Senior Portfolio Manager at Woodman Asset Management. Prior to that, he spent six years at Swisscanto (later part of Zurich Kantonalbank) as a Senior Portfolio Manager responsible for a sustainable global equity fund and co-manager of the thematic Global Water and Climate Fund. Roman started his career in 1996 at UBS working in different divisions including Private Banking, Asset Management and Trading. In 2003, he became Portfolio Manager at UBS Global Asset Management and, from 2005 onwards, focused on sustainable thematic equities strategies including Energy Efficiency and Climate change accounts. Roman graduated from the University of Applied Sciences Zurich in Economic and Business Administration and is a CFA® Charterholder. Michael Studer is Co-Portfolio Manager of the Robeco Smart Energy strategy and member of the Thematic Investing team. Before joining Robeco in 2021, he spent three years at Acoro Asset Management, where he was an investment manager focused on the IT sector (semiconductors, software and internet). Prior to that, he worked as a Senior Equity Analyst covering IT at Julius Bär, Bank J. Safra Sarasin and as a sellside analyst at Bank am Bellevue with a total 10-year tenure. Michael started his career in 2007 as a consultant for Strategy & Operations in the Financial Services Industry at Deloitte. Michael holds a PhD in Accounting and Controlling and a Master in Information and Technology Management from the University of St Gallen (HSG), as well as a Master in International Management from the Community of European Management Schools (CEMS). He also studied at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in Troy, New York (USA). Sanaa Hakim is Co-Portfolio Manager of the Robeco Smart Energy strategy and member of the Thematic Investing team. She joined Robeco in 2021 and has 12 years of experience. Prior to joining the firm, Sanaa was a global equity investment professional at Independent Franchise Partners and a generalist analyst at Capital Group for 5 years in London. Sanaa started her career in 2011 with Ernst and Young in Assurance and Advisory in Paris. Sanaa holds an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth and a Msc in Risk and Asset Management from EDHEC Business School.

Per period	Fund	Reference index
1 month	3.77%	2.61%
3 months	18.36%	8.41%
YTD	22.78%	13.78%
1 year	17.38%	15.68%
2 years	12.39%	19.98%
3 years	11.69%	18.50%
5 years	12.74%	12.89%
10 years	13.87%	11.65%
Since inception 10/2006	7.55%	8.08%

Statistics	3 years	5 Years
Tracking error ex-post (%) The ex-post tracking error is defined as the volatility of the fund's achieved excess return over the index return. In fund management, most managers are subject to an ex-ante (pre-determined) tracking error, which defines the extent of the additional risk they may take when aspiring to outperform the fund's benchmark. The ex-post tracking error explains the distribution of past fund performances compared to those of its underlying benchmark. With a higher tracking error, the fund's returns deviate more from its index's returns, hence there is a greater chance that the fund may outperform. The wider the spread of returns relative to the benchmark, the more "actively" a fund has been managed. In contrast, a low tracking error indicates more "passive" management.	14.38	14.61
Information ratio This ratio serves to evaluate the quality of the excess return a fund manager has achieved because it takes the active risk involved into account. The information ratio is defined as the excess return over the benchmark return divided by the fund's tracking error. The higher the information ratio, the better. For example, a fund with a tracking error of 4% and an excess return of 2% over benchmark has an information ratio of 0.5, which is quite good.	-0.34	0.13
Sharpe ratio This ratio measures the risk-adjusted performance and allows the performance quality of different investments to be compared. It is calculated by subtracting the risk-free rate from the fund's returns and dividing the result by the fund's standard deviation (risk). So the Sharpe ratio tells us whether a fund's returns are the result of smart investment decisions or stem from taking extra risk. The higher the ratio, the better, meaning that a greater return is achieved per unit of risk. This ratio is named after its inventor, Nobel Laureate, William Sharpe.	0.35	0.46
Alpha (%) Alpha measures the difference between a portfolio's actual return and its expected performance, given the level of risk, compared to the benchmark. A positive alpha figure indicates that the fund has performed better than expected, given the level of risk. Beta is used to calculate the level of risk compared to the benchmark..	-8.70	-0.44
Beta Beta is a measure of a portfolio's volatility, or systematic risk, in comparison to the benchmark. A beta of 1 indicates that the portfolio will move with the benchmark. A beta of less than 1 means that the portfolio will be less volatile than the benchmark. A beta of more than 1 indicates that the portfolio will be more volatile than the benchmark. For example, if a portfolio's beta is 1.2 it is theoretically 20% more volatile than the benchmark.	1.51	1.39
Standard deviation Standard deviation is a measure of the dispersion of a set of data from its mean. The more spread out the data is, the higher the deviation. In finance, standard deviation is applied to the annual rate of return of an investment to measure the investment's volatility (risk).	24.79	25.32
Max. monthly gain (%) The maximum (i.e. highest) absolute positive monthly performance in the underlying period.	14.83	22.22
Max. monthly loss (%) The maximum (i.e. highest) absolute negative monthly performance in the underlying period.	-12.35	-12.35

Cost of this fund	Percentage
Ongoing charges Indication of annual charges that are deducted for this fund. This indication is based on the costs over the last calendar year and may vary from year to year. Transaction costs incurred by the fund, any performance fees and other one-off costs are not included in the ongoing charges.	1.72%
Included management fee A fee paid by the fund to the asset management company for the professional management of the fund.	1.50%
Included service fee This fee is intended to cover official fees, such as the cost of annual reports, annual shareholders' meetings and price publications.	0.16%
Transaction costs The transaction costs shown are the average annual transaction costs over the last three years calculated in accordance with European regulations.	0.14%

Fiscal product treatment

The fund is established in Luxembourg and is subject to the Luxembourg tax laws and regulations. The fund is not liable to pay any corporation, income, dividend or capital gains tax in Luxembourg. The fund is subject to an annual subscription tax ('tax d'abonnement') in Luxembourg, which amounts to 0.05% of the net asset value of the fund. This tax is included in the net asset value of the fund. The fund can in principle use the Luxembourg treaty network to partially recover any withholding tax on its income.

Fiscal treatment of investor

The fiscal consequences of investing in this fund depend on the investor's personal situation. For private investors in the Netherlands real interest and dividend income or capital gains received on their investments are not relevant for tax purposes. Each year investors pay income tax on the value of their net assets as at 1 January if and inasmuch as such net assets exceed the investor’s tax-free allowance. Any amount invested in the fund forms part of the investor's net assets. Private investors who are resident outside the Netherlands will not be taxed in the Netherlands on their investments in the fund. However, such investors may be taxed in their country of residence on any income from an investment in this fund based on the applicable national fiscal laws. Other fiscal rules apply to legal entities or professional investors. We advise investors to consult their financial or tax adviser about the tax consequences of an investment in this fund in their specific circumstances before deciding to invest in the fund.

Policies

Per 31-08-2025

Robeco Smart Energy is an actively managed sub-fund that invests globally in companies providing technologies for clean energy production, distribution, power management infrastructure and energy efficiency. The selection of these stocks is based on fundamental analysis. The Sub-fund's objective is to achieve a better return than the index. The Sub-fund has sustainable investment as its objective, within the meaning of Article 9 of the Regulation (EU) 2019/2088 of 27 November 2019 on Sustainability-related disclosures in the financial sector. The Sub-fund's objective is also to achieve a better return than the index. The strategy integrates sustainability criteria as part of the stock selection process and through a theme-specific sustainability assessment. The portfolio is built on the basis of an eligible investment universe that includes companies whose business models contribute to the thematic investment objectives. The assessment regarding relevant SDGs uses an internally developed framework, more information on which can be obtained at www.robeco.com/si.
The fund has sustainable investment as its objective within the meaning of Article 9 of the European Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation. The fund furthers the decarbonization of the global energy sector through investments in clean energy sources, energy efficient products and infrastructure and by the electrification of the industrial, transportation and heating sectors. This is done by investing in companies that advance the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs): Affordable and Clean Energy goal, Decent work and economic growth, Industry, innovation and infrastructure, Sustainable cities and communities, and Climate action. The fund integrates ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) factors in the investment process and applies Robeco’s Good Governance policy. The fund applies sustainability indicators, including but not limited to normative, activity-based and region-based exclusions,carbon reduction target and proxy voting.

Profile

Per 31-08-2025

ESG IntegrationVotingTarget Universe

Sustainability

Per 31-08-2025

The fund's sustainable investment objective is to further the transformation and decarbonization of the global energy sector. The transformation and decabonization of the energy sector and sustainability considerations are incorporated in the investment process by the means of a target universe definition, exclusions, ESG integration, a carbon footprint target and voting. The fund only invests in companies that have a significant thematic fit as per Robeco's thematic universe methodology. Through screening on both Robeco's internally developed SDG Framework and Robeco’s exclusion policy, the fund does not invest in issuers that have a negative impact on the SDGs, are in breach of international norms or where products have been deemed controversial. Financially material ESG factors are integrated in the bottom-up fundamental investment analysis to assess existing and potential ESG risks and opportunities. The fund's weighted carbon footprint will be equal to or better than that of its Climate Transition Benchmark. In addition, where a stock issuer is flagged for breaching international standards in the ongoing monitoring, the issuer will become subject to exclusion. Lastly, the fund makes use of shareholder rights and applies proxy voting in accordance with Robeco's proxy voting policy.For more information please visit the sustainability-related disclosures.The index used for all sustainability visuals is based on MSCI World Index TRN.

Market development

Per 31-08-2025

Global equities rose moderately in August. Key drivers included Fed rate cut hopes, resilient consumer demand, solid earnings, easing trade tensions, and broader market participation. Powell's dovish Jackson Hole speech hinted at rate cuts, surprising investors. Futures now price in five cuts by July 2026. Manufacturing shows signs of recovery: Eurozone PMI hit 50.5, the first expansion since April 2022; US PMI surged to 53.3. Regionally, European and Chinese equities outperformed. Small caps rallied, while tech faced scrutiny – though NVIDIA's strong earnings helped stabilize sentiment.

Performance explanation

Per 31-08-2025

Based on transaction prices, the fund's return was 3.77%. The Energy Efficiency cluster led performance, driven by Big Data. Zhongji Innolight surged on strong AI data center demand, while Marvell lagged due to weak results. Vertiv declined on profit-taking. Delta Electronics posted strong gains; Carlisle rebounded after a guidance cut. Procore fell on weak US construction. In Transportation, Maruwa and BYD were hit by slowing Chinese EV growth. Renewable Energies rebounded, led by solar stocks such as First Solar and Nextracker, helped by easing US regulation. Wind stocks lagged due to negative news around Ørsted (not in the portfolio). Energy Storage rose on lithium recovery; CATL gained. Onsemi fell on weak auto demand. Energy Distribution declined, with SSE and Elia hit by rate concerns. nVent rallied on strong earnings; Quanta dipped despite solid results.

Expectation of fund manager

Roman Boner
Michael Studer PhD
Sanaa Hakim

Inflation is projected to decline gradually, although upside risks remain following President Trump's recent policy move to implement global tariffs. Interest rates in both Europe and the US are also expected to trend lower, providing support for economic activity and investment. Meanwhile, the Global Manufacturing PMI continues to edge higher, signaling accelerating growth – driven in part by reshoring initiatives and robust data center expansion. Nonetheless, headline risks persist, stemming from geopolitical tensions, tariffs and concerns surrounding the independence of the Federal Reserve. We will continue to monitor these developments closely and adjust our strategies accordingly to navigate the evolving landscape.

Robeco Smart Energy D USD

Pole position in the clean energy race

Key points

About this fund

Key facts

Fund manager

Performance

Statistics

Costs

Fiscal product treatment

Fiscal treatment of investor

Fund allocation

Policies

Profile

Sustainability

Market development

Performance explanation

Expectation of fund manager

Fund documents

Annual and Semi-Annual Reports

Announcements

Let's keep the conversation going