Report
Guy Sips ...
  • Hilde Van Boxstael
  • Jacob Mekhael
  • Kristof Samoy
  • Lynn Hautekeete
  • Michiel Declercq
  • Sharad Kumar S.P
  • Thibault Leneeuw
  • Thomas Couvreur
  • Thomas Vranken
  • Wim Hoste
  • Wim Lewi

Dynamic Top Pick List How to start 2025?

On this Friday the 13th we select for you 13 stocks to start 2025 with a bang : ABN Amro, Ackermans & van Haaren, Bekaert, D'Ieteren, EVS, Fagron, Fugro, Gimv, Melexis, Shurgard, Sofina, WDP and Xior


However, we maintain a defensive stance in our Benelux selection at the start of 2025.. The long anticipated interest rate cuts by central banks are expected to continue their decline into 2025 (see graph above). However, the Trump election victory in the US hits European stocks even before he takes office. Pessimism on the European industry has increased significantly due to his protectionist policies. Some European companies with a US base could actually benefit. We expect the US inflation and interest rates to increase and the Euro to weaken, but the ECB can follow an independent course. This should protect the dividend stocks like real-estate and infrastructure in Europe. In Germany, the Government has called early elections for February. We still expect slow economic growth in Europe (0.7%) and Benelux over the next 12 months as it takes a while before lower interest rates impact the economy. Overall a relative defensive stance in the portfolio is warranted. The valuations in our selection are extremely low compared to the US momentum stocks and we expect eventually a recovery for these value stocks.


We continue with 7 cyclical and 6 defensive stocks in our Dynamic Top Pick List with a focus on value stocks that have been left behind. Defensive segment like holdings are overweight, as well as Real-estate that should benefit from lower interest rates. The Benelux selection also has a 15% exposure to cyclical industrials at cheap valuations that have often underperformed the market. Also Technology has a similar weight. We notice that some stocks have been hit hard by minor set-backs. These could be more relatively more resilient over FY25 as investors look for left behind stocks. We avoid consumer stocks at the moment.
Underlyings
ABN AMRO Bank NV Depositary receipts

ABN Amro Bank NV is a bank based in the Netherlands. The Bank provides various financial products and services across a variety of channels, including its Mobile Banking app and Internet Banking. The Bank's product portfolio includes insurances, mortgages, savings, investments, loans and payments, among others. The Bank serves retail, private and corporate clients worldwide.

Ackermans & van Haaren NV

Ackermans & Van Haaren is an investment company. Co. operates in five sectors: Marine Engineering & Infrastructure, which includes DEME NV, a dredging and marine company; Private Banking, which includes BDM NV - Continentale Verzekeringen NV (ASCO NV), which focuses on marine and industrial insurance via brokers; Real Estate, Leisure & Senior Care, which includes Extensa Group NV, a real estate developer; Energy & Resources, which includes Telemond Group, a supplier to the crane and automotive industry; and Development Capital, which is engaged in ICT and engineering, retail and distribution, real estate development, and media and printing.

Bekaert SA

Bekaert is a global technological and market company engaged in advanced solutions based in steel wire transformation and coatings as well as an independent manufacturer of drawn steel wire products. In addition, Co. teams up with customers and suppliers globally to develop, implement, upgrade, and protect both current and future technologies. Co.'s business activities are put in practice along two main axes: Product Innovation and Process Innovation. Product Innovation helps Co. better serve its customers, while Process innovation enables Co. to increase operational effectiveness, minimizing its impact on the environment.

D'Ieteren SA

D'Ieteren is engaged in two sectors of services to the motorist: Automobile Distribution, which is a distributor of Volkswagen, Audi, Seat, Skoda, Bentley, Lamborghini, Bugatti, Porsche, and Yamaha brands in Belgium; and Vehicle Glass, which is engaged in the repair and replacement of vehicle glass mainly in Europe, North and South America, Australia and New Zealand through Belron s.a. and notably its CARGLASS®, AUTOGLASS® and SAFELITE® AUTO GLASS brands.

EVS Broadcast Equipment SA

EVS Broadcasting Equipment is engaged in the development and marketing of audiovisual equipment relating to the processing of pictures and sound. Co. provides solutions based on tapeless workflows with a consistent modular architecture. Co.'s activities are divided into the following regions: Asia-Pacific, Europe, Middle East and Africa, and America.

Fagron SA

Fagron supplies products, services to professionals and institutions in the healthcare sector in Europe, the U.S.A. and Brazil. Co.'s activities are subdivided into four divisions. Through Fagron, Co. offers products and concepts for pharmaceutical compounding. Through Arseus Dental, Co. supplies dental products and concepts to dentists and dental laboratories in Belgium, the Netherlands, France, Germany and Switzerland. Through Arseus Medical, Co. supplies medical and surgical products to specialists, elderly homes, homecare nurses and hospitals in Belgium and the Netherlands. Through Corilus, Co. supplies ICT total solutions for medical specialists in Belgium, the Netherlands and France.

FUGRO NV

Gimv NV

GIMV is a listed investment company, specializing in private equity and venture capital and active in small and medium buyouts, growth financing and technology investments. Co. is also present with technology investments across Europe and in Israel, Japan and the USA. Co. invests in ICT (Technology), environmentally friendly technology (Cleantech) and Life Sciences.

Melexis NV

Melexis designs, develops, tests and markets advanced integrated circuits primarily for the automotive industry. Co. sells its products to a wide customer base in the automotive, medical and industrial markets in Europe, Asia and North America. Co.'s main products are Hall effect ICs, Pressure and Acceleration Sensors, Sensor Interface ICs, Automotive Systems-on-a-Chip, Embedded Microcontrollers, Bus System Chips, Optical and Infrared sensors. In each case the products are primarily developed for automotive applications and designated lead customers with subsequent use in commercial and industrial applications.

SHURGARD SELF STORAGE LIMITED

Sofina SA

SOFINA is an investment company whose portfolio consists of shareholdings in various companies. Co. manages a portfolio of long-term and short-term investments. Its portfolio comprises investments in companies which are active in sectors such as: Energy and Services (GDF Suez, Suez Environnement, bioMerieux and Exmar); Retail (Colruyt, Delhaize); Consumer goods (Danone, Rapala, B & W Group, and Chapoutier); Satellite operators (SES); Finance Companies (Eurazeo, Caledonia, Luxempart, RAB Capital); Industry (Petit Forestier, Landis + Gyr, Carbone Lorraine and Deceuninck) and Alternative assets (Private equity, Hedge funds).

Warehouses De Pauw SCA

Warehouses De Pauw and its subsidiaries are engaged in investment in the Belgian semi-industrial property market. Co. is a closed-end property investment company which specializes in: development of storage and distribution premises; customized projects in line with the user's request; acquiring premises for customers who wish to engage in sale and leaseback transactions.

Xior Student Housing N.V.

Xior Student Housing NV is a Belgium-based company active in the field of residential Real Estate. The Company's offer is mainly for students and it includes several types of rooms for rent, including a student house in Leiden.

Provider
KBC Securities
KBC Securities

We are a financial services provider for several types of professional clients, each with distinct needs.

 

Analysts
Guy Sips

Hilde Van Boxstael

Jacob Mekhael

Kristof Samoy

Lynn Hautekeete

Michiel Declercq

Sharad Kumar S.P

Thibault Leneeuw

Thomas Couvreur

Thomas Vranken

Wim Hoste

Wim Lewi

Other Reports on these Companies
Other Reports from KBC Securities
Hilde Van Boxstael ... (+6)
  • Hilde Van Boxstael
  • Jacob Mekhael
  • Lynn Hautekeete
  • Thomas Vranken
  • Wim Hoste
  • Wim Lewi

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