e-fundresearch: Which benchmark do you adhere to?
Høgtun: VINX Index.
e-fundresearch: Are you also responsible for other funds at the moment?
Høgtun: DnB NOR Norden III, Avanse Norden, DnB NOR Grønt Norden, Skandia Ideer För Livet.
e-fundresearch: What is the total volume that you manage in all your funds?
Høgtun: Approximately EURm 400.
e-fundresearch: Regarding the performance: which performance did you achieve since the beginning of the year and in the years 2003-2008? Absolutely and relatively to the relevant benchmark?
Høgtun:
e-fundresearch: How content are you with your own performance in the last years and this year?
Høgtun: The new Nordic team has delivered a strong and consistent performance in the last two years.
e-fundresearch: How are you able to deliver added value for your investors with your performance?
Høgtun: By having a set-up with experienced portfolio managers and a structured investment process.
e-fundresearch: How long have you been a fund manager already?
Høgtun: For more than 11 years.
e-fundresearch: What were your biggest successes and your biggest disappointments in your career as fund manager?
Høgtun: The biggest success was the performance in 2009 and winning the Morningstar Award in 2009 and 2010 for the best Nordic Fund. Biggest disappointment - 2007 with an underperformance compared to the benchmark.
e-fundresearch: What kind of capital market situation do we have at the moment? How do you act in this environment?
Høgtun: The market is nervous now, but we try to act as we always do – with the same investment process and philosophy.
e-fundresearch: What are the special challenges in this environment?
Høgtun: Often disproportionate share price reactions to minor earnings disappointments.
e-fundresearch: What objectives do you have till the end of the year and in the mid term for the upcoming 3 to 5 years?
Høgtun: Our objective is to outperform the market with more than 5% a year.
e-fundresearch: Do you model yourself on someone? Any ideals?
Høgtun: I do not model myself on anyone particular, but admire the patience John Maynard Keynes had as a portfolio manager.
e-fundresearch: What motivates you in your job?
Høgtun: In general, having my curiosity satisfied by deeper knowledge/understanding. In addition, feeling that our investment philosphy and process works.
e-fundresearch: What else do you want to achieve or do you have any further aims as a fund manager?
Høgtun: Foremost, I focus on doing my current job as well as possible.
e-fundresearch: What other profession would you have taken interest in, apart from becoming a fund manager?
Høgtun: Would have been a profession where I could utilise my analytical skills and keep on discovering new things.
e-fundresearch: Thank you for the interview!
