OP-Europe Dividend Firm

The market still has plenty of companies likely to pay high dividends, even if Europe's economic outlook is still subject to uncertainties and slow growth is expected to continue in the region. The attraction of high dividend yields as a source of cash flow has further increased due to low interest rates in recent years. The fund seeks high dividend yields from sound companies with favourable prospects, mainly based in Western Europe. The biggest equity markets in the area are the UK, Switzerland, Germany and France.

OP-Europe Dividend Companies is an equity fund for investors appreciating high dividend yields. Diversified into a large market area and several industries, the equity fund is ideal for a person seeking thorough diversification. In its portfolio, the dividend-oriented fund selects quality companies, meaning that their bankruptcy risk is lower than for growth companies just starting their operations. However, a person investing in this fund needs to tolerate general equity market risk, in other words, even notable fluctuation in the fund's value depending on the market situation. Focusing on dividend stocks, the fund's returns may in some market conditions be lower than those of certain other funds investing in European equities. This fund is mainly recommended to an investor who intends to redeem his/her units after seven years at the earliest.

OP-Europe Dividend Firm Fund is an equity fund investing its assets primarily in the Western European equity markets. The largest equity markets in the region are Great Britain, France, Switzerland and Germany,

The fund is a style fund focusing on high and steady dividend yield and companies' profitability relative to valuation.

The fund's investments are primarily made through direct equity investments. The fund may use derivatives instruments in its investment activities to hedge against market fluctuations, to replace direct investments and to otherwise promote efficient portfolio management.

The fund’s assets are concentrated in the shares of a limited number of companies. Typically the fund invests its assets in the shares of about 40–60 companies, but this number may vary reflecting the views taken by the portfolio manager.

The Fund's benchmark index is MSCI Daily Net TR Europe. With active investing, the Fund seeks to outperform its benchmark index in the long term. The Fund mainly takes notable active risk and it may differ significantly from the composition, weights and risk level of the benchmark index.

The Fund promotes environmental and social characteristics and, to ensure it, uses environmental, social and governance (ESG) analysis and excludes certain investments. 

Exclusion: The Fund excludes from its active direct investments controversial weapon manufacturers, mining companies producing thermal coal, power companies using thermal coal, tobacco companies, and companies that have breached international standards and where engagement has been unsuccessful.  The list of exclusions is public. In addition to general exclusion rules, the Fund does not invest in companies whose principal business is in unconventional oil and gas extraction.

Use of ESG data in the investment analysis: ESG factors are considered in the investment process with the help of data by an external ESG service provider and the ESG tool developed internally by OP Asset Management. Considering ESG factors in the investment process means, for example, that the risks and opportunities related to the environment, society and governance are made transparent using selected indicators from each area.  

Violations of international standards: The Fund is screened regularly for non-compliances with international standards. In the event that a non-compliance is detected, an influencing process is begun with the company in question. The aim is to make non-compliant companies change their practices and begin to comply with international standards in their operations. If influencing proves fruitless, the company may be removed from the Fund portfolio and placed on the exclusion list.

Minimum share of sustainable investments: In accordance with the minimum amount stated below, the Fund allocates investments into companies whose business promotes one or more UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) without harming other sustainability factors or objectives. Sustainable investments are determined using OP Asset Management’s analysis model which is based on an external service provider’s SDG and sustainability data. 

Shareholders’ meetings: The Fund votes in shareholders’ meetings through a service provider in line with OP Fund Management Company Ltd’s shareholder engagement principles that take responsibility aspects into account.

Assessing good governance practices: Analysing the target company’s governance is an important part of the investment process. To us, good governance is a key foundation for any company’s financial success, regardless of sector. When assessing governance, some of the areas considered include the appropriateness of the target company’s administrative organisation, the target company’s actions in relation to its personnel, and the target company’s rewarding and taxation practices. In assessing good governance, we use an external service provider’s analysis and our own qualitative analysis if no external data is available. We screen the funds regularly to check them against the criteria of good governance. Minimum limits apply for these criteria.

• Sustainability-related disclosures >

As our owner-customer, saving and investing is especially worthwhile thanks to the excellent benefits you receive.

Your benefits when investing in funds or through insurance:

• Buy and sell almost all OP mutual funds with no fees.*
• You earn 0.35% OP bonuses from mutual fund and insurance assets.** 
• Begin saving through insurance free of charge. 
• Switch between investments, invest additional funds and change your payment and investment plan for OP Unit-linked Insurance and OP Capital Redemption Contract free of charge in our digital services.  

Your benefits in equity and ETF investing:

• Open an equity savings account or book-entry account free of charge.
• You get a discount on equity trading and a 1% fee ceiling when trading in Finnish listed companies through a book-entry account The discounts apply in digital services.
• Get access to free stock picks and analysis.
• Get a discount on the service packages for savers and investors:
  Equity savings account: 
  Saver: €0/month (normally €2.99/month)
  Investor: €9.99/month (normally €14.99/month)
  Book-entry account: 
  Saver: €0/month (normally €2.99/month)
  Investor: €0/month (normally €5.39/month)

Other benefits:

• Only owner-customers can invest in Profit Shares.

Remember to make use of all benefits:

Income unit generating annual cash flow, suitable for foundations

The fund’s unit class III A with a minimum subscription of 1 000,000 euros