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Fundsmith Explains 2025 Underperformance and Details Portfolio Moves in Q4 Letter

The fund attributes the gap to concentrated indices alongside dollar weakness.

Overview

  • Fundsmith Equity Fund returned 0.8% in 2025 versus 12.8% for the MSCI World Index in sterling with dividends reinvested.
  • Management cited index concentration, the growth of passive funds, and a weaker dollar as key drivers of the shortfall.
  • During 2025 the fund exited Brown-Forman and PepsiCo and initiated positions in Zoetis, EssilorLuxottica, Intuit, and Wolters Kluwer.
  • Fundsmith began rebuilding Intuit after deeming the 2021 Mailchimp acquisition outside Intuit’s competence and overpriced, noting the deal’s underperformance is now reflected in the share price.
  • The letter flagged structural headwinds for alcohol and snacks from GLP‑1 drugs, highlighted Philip Morris’s progress in reduced‑risk products, and noted ADP’s sensitivity to a softer U.S. jobs market.