I’d buy this FTSE 250 stock at 198p to invest in the artificial intelligence revolution

This FTSE 250 trust has Nvidia, Amazon and more in its portfolio. Here’s why I’d invest in it today for exposure to the ongoing AI boom.

| More on:

The content of this article was relevant at the time of publishing. Circumstances change continuously and caution should therefore be exercised when relying upon any content contained within this article.

The flag of the United States of America flying in front of the Capitol building

Image source: Getty Images

When investing, your capital is at risk. The value of your investments can go down as well as up and you may get back less than you put in.

Read More

The content of this article is provided for information purposes only and is not intended to be, nor does it constitute, any form of personal advice. Investments in a currency other than sterling are exposed to currency exchange risk. Currency exchange rates are constantly changing, which may affect the value of the investment in sterling terms. You could lose money in sterling even if the stock price rises in the currency of origin. Stocks listed on overseas exchanges may be subject to additional dealing and exchange rate charges, and may have other tax implications, and may not provide the same, or any, regulatory protection as in the UK.

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More.

sdf

I already have a fair bit of exposure to artificial intelligence (AI) in my portfolio, even after selling Nvidia shares last month. However, if I didn’t, or wanted more, I’d invest in this FTSE 250 investment trust.

AI innovators

I’m referring to Baillie Gifford US Growth Trust (LSE: USA). As the name suggests, the focus is on US growth shares. So the portfolio contains staple AI stocks including Nvidia, Meta and Amazon, but also smaller listed growth firms using AI in interesting ways.

For example, language-learning app Duolingo uses an AI model called Birdbrain to personalise lessons. It makes sure the exercises are at the perfect difficulty level based on a learner’s strengths and weaknesses.

The company ended 2023 with a record 88.4m monthly active users, which represented a healthy 46% year-on-year increase. Annual revenue surged 44% to $531m.

With Duolingo shares up 57% in 12 months, this has been a great performer.

The trust can also invest up to 50% of assets in private companies. And the top holding, Elon Musk’s unlisted rocket firm SpaceX, makes up 6.9% of the portfolio.

Internet payments company Stripe has a 3.9% weighting.

Top 10 holdings (as of 29 February)

Weighting
Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX)6.9%
Nvidia 6.7%
Shopify 5.3%
Amazon 5.1%
The Trade Desk4.8%
Stripe 3.9%
Meta Platforms 3.6%
Netflix 3.2%
DoorDash2.9%
Tesla 2.8%
Total 45.2%

Another promising private firm is Databricks, the world’s first data intelligence platform powered by generative AI. At the end of February, 30.8% of assets were invested in such private companies.

Ongoing underperformance

Given all this exciting AI stuff, you’d think the trust would be thrashing the market. Surprisingly, it isn’t.

Since inception in March 2018, it has lagged the S&P 500 index (its benchmark) both on a share price and net asset value (NAV) basis. This means investors would have made a better return just investing in a passive index tracker.

We asked you to judge us over the long term and… we are dissatisfied with our five-year performance. These are not the numbers we looked to deliver at the company’s fifth anniversary.

Managers’ review, Baillie Gifford US Growth Trust’s 2023 annual report

The main risk here is that this underperformance continues. After all, data shows most funds struggle to consistently beat the market.

I got cold feet

I should declare I was an investor in the trust from launch until 2022. The reason I sold was because I lost faith in some of the stock-picking.

For example, Mastercard, Meta and Alphabet were sold, which I didn’t understand, as these still appeared to be among the world’s greatest growth companies.

Also, Snap, the parent of Snapchat, was bought not long after Rivian. The former had never struck me as a quality growth stock while the latter seemed grossly overvalued when it went public.

A change of heart

However, I think the stock could perform well from this point. Why? Well firstly, I really like the look of the top 10 holdings today (accounting for 45.2% of the portfolio). I’d be very surprised if most of these aren’t much larger in future.

Meanwhile, Snap has been sold and Meta bought back. And interest rates are surely heading lower, which should help the trust’s growth strategy.

Finally, at 198p, the stock’s trading at a 12.3% discount to NAV. This could prove to be a long-term bargain.


Should you invest, the value of your investment may rise or fall and your capital is at risk. Before investing, your individual circumstances should be assessed. Consider taking independent financial advice.

John Mackey, former CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. Randi Zuckerberg, a former director of market development and spokeswoman for Facebook and sister to Meta Platforms CEO Mark Zuckerberg, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. Suzanne Frey, an executive at Alphabet, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. Ben McPoland has positions in Alphabet, Mastercard, Shopify, Tesla, and The Trade Desk. The Motley Fool UK has recommended Alphabet, Amazon, Mastercard, Meta Platforms, Nvidia, Shopify, Tesla, and The Trade Desk. Views expressed on the companies mentioned in this article are those of the writer and therefore may differ from the official recommendations we make in our subscription services such as Share Advisor, Hidden Winners and Pro. Here at The Motley Fool we believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.

More on Investing Articles

Shot of an young mixed-race woman using her cellphone while out cycling through the city
Investing Articles

Here’s a high-potential stock to consider buying in July!

This company's undergoing a transition in order to make it a leaner and more focused business. Dr James Fox explores…

Read more »

Thoughtful man using his phone while riding on a train and looking through the window
Investing Articles

In 12 months, a £10,000 investment in Legal & General shares could become…

If broker forecasts are accurate, Legal & General shares will deliver healthy capital gains and dividends over the next year.

Read more »

British Pennies on a Pound Note
Investing Articles

£5,000 invested in this 9p penny stock just 1 month ago is now worth…

This high-flying penny stock offers investors a lot of potential reward, as well as a fair bit of risk. Ben…

Read more »

Businessman using pen drawing line for increasing arrow from 2024 to 2025
Investing Articles

After the FTSE 100 broke 9,000 points, does the UK market look overvalued?

The FTSE 100 went past 9,000 points this week but Mark Hartley says there are still bargains out there and…

Read more »

A pastel colored growing graph with rising rocket.
Investing Articles

Nvidia stock hit an all-time high this week. But could it be a bargain, even now?

After the Nvidia stock hit an all-time high this week, might it still be an attractive opportunity for our writer's…

Read more »

Warren Buffett at a Berkshire Hathaway AGM
Investing Articles

As the FTSE 100 hits an all-time high, I’m following Warren Buffett’s advice!

Billionaire investor Warren Buffett is a font of stock market wisdom. Our writer reflects on his approach, as the FTSE…

Read more »

One English pound placed on a graph to represent an economic down turn
Investing Articles

The FTSE 100 reached an all-time high this week. Is it too late to invest?

The FTSE 100 hit a new all-time high level over the past few days. Our writer explains why he thinks…

Read more »

Close-up image depicting a woman in her 70s taking British bank notes from her colourful leather wallet.
Investing Articles

Here’s how £9,000 in savings could be used to target £343 a month of passive income

Christopher Ruane sets out a passive income plan that he reckons could help someone make sizeable sums over time without…

Read more »