Brian Kersmanc
Portfolio Manager, GQG Partners
Ticker
Side
Mentions
Opened
Entry
P&L
Thesis
Theme
Source
Long
Apr 10
$82.37
+3.8%
Speaker mentioned consumer staples as examples of slower-growing, defensive sectors that become more in focus during volatility. Staples have stable demand less sensitive to economic cycles, offering protection if growth slows due to energy cost drag. Likely to outperform cyclical areas in a downturn, providing portfolio resilience. Deep recession significantly impacting consumer spending even on essentials.
Speaker mentioned consumer staples as examples of slower-growing, defensive sectors that become more in focus during volatility. Staples have stable demand less sensitive to economic cycles, offering protection if growth slows due to energy cost drag. Likely to outperform cyclical areas in a downturn, providing portfolio resilience. Deep recession significantly impacting consumer spending even on essentials.
Consumer
Long
Apr 10
$46.96
-6.3%
Speaker highlighted utilities, especially European regulated utilities, as "boring" sectors offering 6-8% EPS growth, dividend yields, and reasonable multiples. In volatile environments with geopolitical risk, defensive sectors with low obsolescence risk provide stability and income. Should hold up substantially better than cyclicals, attracting capital in risk-off scenarios. Sharp interest rate increases or adverse regulatory changes eroding profitability.
Speaker highlighted utilities, especially European regulated utilities, as "boring" sectors offering 6-8% EPS growth, dividend yields, and reasonable multiples. In volatile environments with geopolitical risk, defensive sectors with low obsolescence risk provide stability and income. Should hold up substantially better than cyclicals, attracting capital in risk-off scenarios. Sharp interest rate increases or adverse regulatory changes eroding profitability.
Energy
Long
Apr 10
$147.31
+3.8%
Speaker pointed to large pharma companies as "boring" sectors with slower growth but attractive characteristics. Pharma firms offer resilient earnings and dividends, benefiting from defensive demand during market stress. Attractive for defensive positioning with growth and yield, especially if tech and cyclicals weaken. Regulatory headwinds or drug pricing pressures affecting profitability.
Speaker pointed to large pharma companies as "boring" sectors with slower growth but attractive characteristics. Pharma firms offer resilient earnings and dividends, benefiting from defensive demand during market stress. Attractive for defensive positioning with growth and yield, especially if tech and cyclicals weaken. Regulatory headwinds or drug pricing pressures affecting profitability.
Healthcare
Long
Apr 10
$49.34
-4.1%
Speaker is bullish on India, noting its power grid is 70% coal-based (insulating it from natural gas shocks), it has advanced refineries to process various crude types, and prefers Indian infrastructure/utility stocks for volatility. India's structural energy mix minimizes its exposure to the specific Middle East supply disruption. Its refining flexibility allows it to source crude from non-Middle Eastern producers (Russia, Venezuela). This relative insulation makes its economy and certain equity sectors more resilient. India offers a contrarian long opportunity as it is less vulnerable to the primary negative shock affecting other Asian economies and global markets. A severe global recession that overrides its domestic insulation, or a dramatic spike in coal prices.
Speaker is bullish on India, noting its power grid is 70% coal-based (insulating it from natural gas shocks), it has advanced refineries to process various crude types, and prefers Indian infrastructure/utility stocks for volatility. India's structural energy mix minimizes its exposure to the specific Middle East supply disruption. Its refining flexibility allows it to source crude from non-Middle Eastern producers (Russia, Venezuela). This relative insulation makes its economy and certain equity sectors more resilient. India offers a contrarian long opportunity as it is less vulnerable to the primary negative shock affecting other Asian economies and global markets. A severe global recession that overrides its domestic insulation, or a dramatic spike in coal prices.
Macro
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Brian Kersmanc has 4 trade ideas tracked on Buzzberg across 4 tickers since April 2026. Most covered: XLV, INDA, XLP.