European Opportunities Trust (EOT)

Established in 1996, EOT is a European focused investment company which looks for what it describes as ‘special’ growth companies that are expected to experience higher than average earnings growth. The managers take a conviction approach, running a portfolio of between 25 and 35 positions. In this interview we speak to Chief Investment Officer Alexander Darwall about the company’s investment philosophy, emphasizing a long-term approach that focuses on identifying special companies with sustainable competitive advantages (citing examples like Novo Nordisk and Darktrace); the importance of patience and not panicking during market highs or lows; the challenges posed by macroeconomic factors in Europe, and how the company mitigates these by investing in globally diversified companies; and why he avoids sectors like utilities and commodities, instead favouring businesses with strong industry positions and pricing power.