Monthly Update
Ninepoint Focused Global Dividend Fund - Compounded Returns¹ As of September 30, 2025 (Series F NPP964) | Inception Date: November 25, 2015
1M |
YTD |
3M |
6M |
1YR |
3YR |
5YR |
Inception |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fund |
5.39% |
8.40% |
9.05% |
16.38% |
19.47% |
20.43% |
12.29% |
9.99% |
S&P Global 1200 TR (CAD) |
5.07% |
14.78% |
9.91% |
16.11% |
21.51% |
24.93% |
15.94% |
12.90% |
Markets continued to levitate to new all-time highs in September, as mega-cap tech stocks and the AI-trade garnered more and more attention and capital flows from investors. The disparities between the haves and the have-nots can clearly be seen by examining the S&P 500 and the Equal Weight S&P 500, with returns in the month of 3.53% and 0.90% respectively (according to LSEG). It is beginning to feel like the rally can continue into year-end, but perhaps with greater volatility along the way than what has been experienced over the past few months.
As we head into earnings season, revenue and earnings estimates remain solid, with FactSet looking for Q3 revenue growth of 6.3% and earnings growth of 8.0%, led by the Information Technology, Utilities, Materials, Financials and Industrials sectors. Unlike most years, analysts have raised estimates heading into earnings season, as most industries and companies have yet to experience the impact of inflation and tariffs on profit margins. But we will be closely watching the results and listening to management’s commentaries to assess the outlook over the balance of the year.
After persistent calls for interest rate cuts from some market participants (and most vocally from the President of the United States), on September 17, the US FOMC cut rates by 25 basis points, from 4.5% to 4.25% and (coincidently on the same day) the Bank of Cananda cut rates by 25 basis points, from 2.75% to 2.5%. The Federal Reserve also released its Summary of Economic Projections, which suggested another two more cuts of 25 basis points each over the balance of 2025 and at least one more cut of 25 basis points in early 2026. Based on history, hopes for an extended cycle of interest rate cuts are very supportive of continued market gains, at least in the near term.
But now investors must deal with a US government shutdown, which not only affects thousands of people who are on the government’s payroll but also prevents the release of timely economic data, including the critically important inflation and jobs numbers. Despite the information vacuum (though admittedly some private surveys will be made available as usual), the US equity markets remain unconcerned (evidenced by the S&P 500 index level valuation at 22.8x forward earnings compared to the 5-average of 19.9x and the 10-year average of 18.6x, according to FactSet). Given the unusual circumstances and conditions today, it will be very interesting to see how the equity markets perform through the coming earnings season. To be proactive, we have reduced outsized allocations to individual stocks and investment themes while remaining invested in a broadly diversified portfolio, in case a growth scare or some other shock materializes over the next couple of months.
Top contributors to the year-to-date performance of the Ninepoint Focused Global Dividend Fund by sector included Information Technology (+505 basis points), Industrials (+214 basis points) and Communication Services (+163 basis points), while the Utilities (-112 basis points) and Health Care (-90 basis points) sectors detracted from performance on an absolute basis.
On a relative basis, positive return contributions from the Industrials (+30 basis points), Energy (+21 basis points) and Information Technology (+18 basis points) sectors were offset by negative contributions from the Financials (-177 basis points), Utilities (-172 basis points) and Health Care (-115 basis points) sectors.

We are currently overweight the Industrials and Financials sectors, while underweight the Utilities, Materials and Real Estate sectors. As the market continues to make new all-time highs, we are wary of potential exogenous shocks, while weighing the probability of supportive rate cuts through the balance of the year. Note that we have expanded the number of individual holdings in the portfolio, since we expect rate cuts to broaden participation in the rally through year-end and into 2026. In the meantime, to mitigate the risks, we remain focused on high-quality, dividend payers that have demonstrated the ability to consistently generate revenue and earnings growth through the business cycle.

The Ninepoint Focused Global Dividend Fund was concentrated in 48 positions as at September 30, 2025, with the top 10 holdings accounting for approximately 36.5% of the fund. Over the prior fiscal year, 39 out of our 48 holdings have announced a dividend increase, with an average hike of 21.7% (median hike of 8.2%). We will continue to apply a disciplined investment process, balancing various quality and valuation metrics, in an effort to generate solid risk-adjusted returns.
Jeffery Sayer, CFA
Ninepoint Partners