Attribution Analysis of US Mutual Funds through November 2015
T. Rowe Price Blue Chip Growth Fund
According to the fund’s management, the T. Rowe Price Blue Chip Growth Fund (TRBCX) “invests in the common stocks of large and medium-sized blue chip companies that have the potential for above-average earnings growth and are well established in their respective industries.”
The fund manager looks for companies that enjoy strong market positions, seasoned management teams, solid financial conditions, and above-average earnings growth and profitability. Prospects of dividend growth are important to the fund and it may “at times invest significantly in stocks of technology companies.”
The T. Rowe Price Blue Chip Growth Fund’s (TRBCX) assets were invested across 126 holdings in stocks, bonds, and cash as of November 2015. It managed $31.01 billion in assets as of the end of November. As of the September portfolio, the latest complete portfolio available, its equity holdings included The Priceline Group Inc. (PCLN), McKesson Corporation (MCK), American Tower Corporation (AMT), Lowe’s Companies Inc. (LOW), and CVS Health Corporation (CVS), comprising a combined 10.0% of the fund’s portfolio.
Historical portfolios
For this analysis, we will consider holdings as of September 2015, which is the latest available sectoral breakdown. The post-September holdings reflect the valuation-driven changes to the portfolio, not the actual holdings.
The information technology, consumer discretionary, and healthcare sectors are at the core of TRBCX. All three sectors have over a fifth of the fund’s assets invested in them, and they form nearly 80% of the portfolio combined. The fund is not invested in the utilities sector and has an almost negligible exposure to the telecom services sector.
All top three invested sectors, along with consumer staples, have seen their respective shares increase in November 2015 compared to a year ago. Meanwhile, exposure to energy has been reduced to a minimum, and industrials and materials have seen their share decline over the same period.
In the next article, let’s see how has the fund fared across various periods and what has contributed to the fund’s performance in the YTD period ended November 2015.
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