The European Equity Portfolio is closed effective June 30, 2004.
Since 1974, Brandes Investment Partners®has used thevalue approach in seeking to generate strong returns inglobal equity markets.Our value approach to stockselection is a conservative strategy that requires an investor to have a three- to five-year outlook.
Today, over half of the world’s equity value is located outside the United States. This means that substantial investment opportunities are located in non-U.S. markets. This expanded investment universe offers the investor theopportunity to participate in above average returns. In any given year, a number of non-U.S. markets generally outperform U.S. markets. Our European Equity Portfolio holds only stocks of companies found in Europe, thus providing diversification potential for equity investors.
The investment objective of the European Equity Portfoliois to achieve long-term capital appreciation by investing primarily in equity securities of European issuers, including companies in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Investments also may be made in equity securities of issuers located in smaller emerging markets in Europe and its vicinity.
Investing in Europe involves unique risks, including thepotential for political, economic, and currency instability. Investors should carefully consider these risks in the contextof their overall objective, time horizon, and asset allocation before investing.
Stock selection within the European Equity Portfolio is based on a Graham & Dodd value approach. The portfolio aims to provide European diversification coupled with our conservative approach.
For a more complete description and discussion of the risks of international investing, consult Brandes' Form ADV, Part II.