Fund Selection Review 2025

Behind the scenes of meticulous asset management: the 2025 fund selection evaluation

In recent weeks, Vive's investment team has re-evaluated all our investment funds. We check at least once a year whether the funds we invest in still align with what we consider important: quality, transparency, and low costs.

In this overview, you can read what exactly we have done and why.

What have we checked?

During the fund selection process, we investigate whether the funds we invest in are still the best choice for our clients. Behind every selection lies a careful consideration in which dozens of different criteria are included. Below, we explain some of the criteria we look at to give you an idea of the work we do.

Qualitative AnalysisThis involves looking at, among other things, how well a fund considers sustainability factors, what its policy is regarding controversial investments (such as weapons or tobacco), and how the fund votes at shareholder meetings.

Cost AnalysisWe look not only at the annual costs and the costs of buying or selling, but also at hidden costs. Consider, for example, swing pricing: this means you pay slightly more when purchasing or receive slightly less when selling, to cover costs for the fund. The transaction costs within the fund itself are also included.

Measuring RisksWe examine how much the fund can deviate from the chosen benchmark (tracking error), how much the fund's value can fluctuate (volatility), and what the maximum loss could be in an unfavourable scenario (Value at Risk).

Legal MattersDoes the fund meet the legal requirements? For instance, does it comply with European regulations such as the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR) and is it registered with the AFM? Does it have a reliable custodian bank?

Operational AspectsHow easy is the fund to trade? How quickly do you receive your money after selling? Are minimum amounts required for investment?

Other Important FactorsExactly what did the fund invest in over the past year? Were derivative products (such as options and futures) used? Did it lend out shares to other parties (securities lending)? And if it is an index fund, how does it try to track that index?

What if a fund is no longer good enough? To ensure we are not caught by surprise, we do not only have a first choice ready. For every type of investment, we have compiled a reserve list of possible alternatives. This allows us to quickly switch if a fund suddenly no longer meets our requirements.

Why is this so much work?

Selecting good funds involves much more than just “seeking the best return”. We look at dozens of factors. As a private individual, you cannot easily do this yourself: you not only need a lot of data, knowledge, and experience, but it also takes considerable time to create and maintain such an overview. That is why we do this for you. That is how Vive makes the difference.

The Outcome

Good news: all the funds we currently use still meet our high standards. They score best on the criteria that Vive considers important.

And thanks to our reserve funds, we are well prepared for changes in the market or in regulations.

Finally

At Vive, asset management is not just about returns. It is also about careful choices, good preparation, and putting your interests first. This fund review once again demonstrates that we pay a great deal of attention to this.

Do you have questions about our funds or how we choose them? Please feel free to contact us. We are happy to tell you more about it!