BancoPosta Universo Tematico is a mutual investment fund that belongs to the “Universe system” by BancoPosta Fondi Sgr, the savings management company of the Poste Italiane Group. This product focuses on capital growth by investing in the so-called megatrends, i.e. the major changes that influence the way people produce, live and consume.
So how does BancoPosta Universo work, what are its characteristics and what to consider before subscribing to it.
What is BancoPosta Universo Tematico
BancoPosta Universo Tematico is an investment product that aims to enhance capital in the medium-long term by investing in companies involved in the main ongoing social and economic changes.
The fund invests in sectors such as technology and sustainability and maintains a significant stake in equities (at least 50%) to exploit growth opportunities in the markets.
The investments are distributed across multiple financial instruments such as funds and ETFs, selected with careful analysis so as to reduce risk and make the portfolio diversified.
Furthermore, aspects linked to the social and environmental impact of companies are also considered in the choices.
What is meant by megatrend
When we talk about megatrends we are referring to the major global changes that influence the various production sectors and the economy over time. In fact, they are linked to technological, demographic or environmental transformations and tend to last many years.
As regards BancoPosta Universo Tematicico, the main topics concern:
- the population with a focus on ageing, health and new ways of consumption;
- the planet with a focus on the protection of natural resources, renewable energy and energy saving;
- innovation with a focus on artificial intelligence, digitalisation, robotics and automation.
How the fund is managed
The fund uses multimanager management. It means that it does not invest only in individual shares but combines funds and ETFs, which are considered particularly valid.
The selection process uses two types of analysis:
- the quantitative one which examines the balance sheets, the history, the returns and the level of risk;
- the qualitative which evaluates the reliability of the external management team, the investment strategy and the ability to adapt to market conditions.
This method allows you to combine different skills and make your portfolio more diversified.
Another important aspect to know concerns the way in which the fund generates value over time. In fact, any accrued returns remain within the fund and are not paid periodically to investors through coupons or diversified payments.
The reason is that the fund follows an accumulation logic. It means that any proceeds are automatically reinvested within the fund itself so as to increase the value of the shares owned over time. If the investor wants to collect part of the accumulated returns or capital he can do so by requesting the total or partial redemption of the shares without waiting for a possible maturity.
Why is the fund defined as flexible?
One of the main features of BancoPosta Universo Tematico is flexibility. The manager can in fact change the composition of the portfolio based on the economic prospects and market trends. If a sector shows good growth opportunities, the fund can increase investment in that area.
However, if a sector becomes too risky or less promising, its share can be reduced. In this way the investment strategy can adapt to changes in the global market so as to seize the best opportunities available.
What is the risk profile?
All investments related to the financial markets involve dangers. The BancoPosta Universo Tematico fund is classified as level 4 on the risk scale ranging from 1 to 7, which is medium.
It means that the value of the investment can rise or fall over time, especially since a large part of the portfolio is invested in stocks. Furthermore, it does not have a traditional reference benchmark (index) to compare performance with similar instruments. The estimated average annual volatility is around 13%, a figure that indicates possible even significant variations.
Precisely for this reason it is a product particularly suitable for those with a medium-long term horizon so as to be able to face any negative phases of the market with greater tranquility.
However, it is not suitable for those seeking absolute certainty of capital or for those who may need money in a few months. Before subscribing to this product, therefore, it is important to understand what your objectives are and what your risk tolerance is.
Sustainability
For those who invest in BancoPosta Universo Tematico, sustainability is a fundamental aspect. This fund, in fact, integrates environmental, good governance and social criteria in the portfolio construction process. It falls within the classification ofarticle 8 of the European SFDR regulation which identifies products that include ESG criteria in their investments.
It means that in addition to performance, the behavior of companies on a social and environmental level is also evaluated with the aim of supporting more responsible companies that can offer greater stability and solidity over time.
How can I subscribe to the fund?
There are two main ways to invest in the BancoPosta fund.
The first is the capital investment plan (Pic) which provides for an initial payment of at least 5,000 euros with the possibility of subsequently adding new amounts of at least 500 euros.
The second is the capital accumulation plan (Cap) which allows you to invest little at a time with periodic payments starting from 50 euros or multiples and a periodic installment (monthly, bimonthly, quarterly or half-yearly), for a minimum period of 1 year up to a maximum of 12 years. This last solution is the most suitable for those who want to build an investment over time, thus reducing the impact of price changes.
Ways to invest in a mutual fund
As regards the methods, you can invest online in a mutual fund if you have a BancoPosta account or a Smart passbook enabled for online transaction functions. In this case it is necessary to log in with your credentials on the official Poste Italiane website, make sure you have an active financial profile and enter the amount and characteristics of the investment.
Alternatively, you can make an appointment with a consultant on the company’s official website or by calling 06 4526 4526 where you will find qualified staff who will present the most suitable solutions for your financial profile.
