Brandes International Equity Fund

The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation by investing in equity securities of non-U.S. issuers that the Fund’s investment team believes are undervalued relative to their financial strength and upside potential.

How to Invest Fact Sheet Quarterly Commentary
  • Ticker Symbol BIECX
  • Cusip 238210603
  • Fund Inception Date January 2, 1997
  • Dividend Frequency Quarterly
  • Number of Holdings 67
  • Total Net Assets $965.7 million (As of Sep 30, 2024)
  • Share Price (USD) 20.38 (As of Dec 20, 2024)

Overview

Why Brandes International Equity Fund?

  • Value: The strategy employs our disciplined, bottom-up investing approach to seek non-U.S. companies trading below our estimates of intrinsic value.
  • Experience: Brandes has been navigating global markets for over 40 years and managing a dedicated international equity strategy for over 30 years.
  • Flexibility: The strategy invests in businesses based in various countries, including those not listed in the benchmark, such as emerging markets.

International Large-Cap Investment Committee

  • Jeffrey Germain Photo

    Jeffrey Germain, CFA

    • Director, Investments Group
    Years with Brandes: 23 Years of Industry Experience: 23

    Jeff Germain is a Director, Investments Group and Team Leader and Senior Analyst on the Basic Materials and Utilities Research Teams. He is a member of the International Large-Cap Investment Committee and a limited partner of the firm’s parent company. Before joining Brandes, Mr. Germain was a Financial Analyst with Harcourt and the chief financial officer of Golf Destinations. He earned his BS in business administration with a concentration in finance from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Mr. Germain’s relevant experience began in 2001 when he joined Brandes Investment Partners.

  • Amelia Morris Photo

    Amelia Morris, CFA

    • Director, Investments Group
    Years with Brandes: 26 Years of Industry Experience: 38

    Amelia Morris is a Director, Investments Group. She oversees and directs equity research activities in the consumer sector. Additionally, Ms. Morris covers the European retail and telecommunications services industries and is a member of the International Large-Cap Investment Committee. Previously, Ms. Morris was a member of the Emerging Markets Investment Committee, the firm’s Investment Oversight Committee and the Brandes Institute Advisory Board. She is a limited partner of the firm’s parent company.

    Ms. Morris earned her AB in economics (Phi Beta Kappa and cum laude) from the University of California, Davis and her MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Her relevant experience began in 1986 and she joined Brandes Investment Partners in 1998.

  • Shingo Omura Photo

    Shingo Omura, CFA

    • Director, Investments Group
    Years with Brandes: 19 Years of Industry Experience: 23

    Shingo Omura is a Director, Investments Group and is a Senior Analyst and leader of the Health Care Research Team, with a primary emphasis on pharmaceutical companies. Additionally, he is a member of the International Large-Cap Investment Committee, the primary Product Coordinator for the Japan Equity strategy and a member of the Corporate Governance and Proxy Voting Committee. Mr. Omura is a limited partner of the firm’s parent company.

    Before joining the firm, he was a sell-side Research Analyst in Japan, where he covered basic materials and utilities companies. Mr. Omura earned his BA in economics from Keio University in Tokyo, Japan and his MBA from the Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley. His relevant experience began in 2001 and he joined Brandes Investment Partners in 2005.

  • Luiz Sauerbronn Photo

    Luiz G. Sauerbronn

    • Director, Investments Group
    Years with Brandes: 23 Years of Industry Experience: 29

    Luiz Sauerbronn is a Director, Investments Group, a Senior Analyst on the Industrials Research Team and a member of the International Large-Cap and Small-Cap Investment Committees. Additionally, he is a member of the Corporate Governance and Proxy Voting Committee and a limited partner of the firm’s parent company.

    Before joining the firm, Mr. Sauerbronn was a Summer Associate with J.P. Morgan and Manager of the Mergers and Acquisitions Advisory Team of Brazil-based Banco Brascan (part of Brookfield Asset Management). He also worked with Royal Dutch Shell. Mr. Sauerbronn earned his BS in economics from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro and his MBA from the Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley. His relevant experience began in 1995 and he joined Brandes Investment Partners in 2001.

  • Brent Woods Photo

    Brent V. Woods, CFA

    • Executive Director
    Years with Brandes: 29 Years of Industry Experience: 29

    Brent Woods is a limited partner of the firm’s parent company. He is a member of the International Large-Cap Investment Committee, a member of the Investment Oversight Committee, which monitors the processes and activities of the firm’s investment committees, and an officer of the firm’s general partner. Mr. Woods is also a member of the ESG Steering Committee, which is responsible for guiding the firm’s long-term ESG strategy and initiatives. Previously, he was the firm’s Chief Executive Officer and prior to that he was a Managing Director, Investments Group, responsible for Brandes’ securities research efforts and oversight of the product investment committees. He earned his AB (Phi Beta Kappa) from Princeton University, his master in international studies from St. John’s College at Cambridge University, England, and his JD (cum laude) from Harvard Law School. His relevant experience began in 1995 when he joined Brandes Investment Partners.

Performance

Average Annual Total Returns (%)

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Data displayed as of Nov 30, 2024

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Source: Brandes, MSCI. Performance data quoted represents past performance; past performance does not guarantee future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance of the fund may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. Performance data current to the most recent month end may be obtained by calling 800.395.3807. It is not possible to invest directly in an index. Fund inception predates MSCI EAFE Value Index inception.
Performance data shown reflects the Class C maximum deferred sales charge of 1.00%. Performance shown without load does not reflect the deduction of the sales load. If reflected, the load would reduce the performance quoted.
The International Equity Fund Class I shares were first offered on January 2, 1997. Class A shares were first offered on January 31, 2011, but prior to January 31, 2013, Class A shares were known as Class S shares. (Class A shares have the same operating expenses as Class S shares.) Performance shown prior to January 31, 2011 for Class A shares reflects the performance of Class I shares restated to reflect Class A sales loads and expenses. Class C shares were first offered on January 31, 2013. Performance shown prior to the inception of Class C shares reflects the performance of Class I shares restated to reflect Class C expenses. The Class C shares’ average annual total return for the 10-year period assumes that Class C shares automatically converted to Class A shares 8 years after the start of the period. The Class C shares’ average annual total return for the since inception period cannot be calculated as the Class A shares had not been launched as of 1/2/2005, 8 years after the inception date of the Brandes International Equity Fund. Class R6 shares were first offered on February 1, 2016. Performance shown prior to the inception of Class R6 shares reflects the performance of Class I shares restated to reflect Class R6 expenses.

Expenses

Expenses Class C
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses †
Expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment.
1.88%
Less: Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement 0.00%
Net Expense Ratio 1.88%
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Morningstar Rating

BIECX as of Sep 30, 2024

Overall
Total # of Funds 331 Foreign Large Value
















The Overall Morningstar Rating is derived from a weighted average of the fund's three-, five- and ten-year (if applicable) Morningstar Ratings metrics which are based on risk-adjusted return performance.

Portfolio

Data displayed as of Sep 30, 2024

Characteristics

Characteristic Brandes International Equity Fund MSCI EAFE Index
Price/Book (x)
Price per share divided by book value per share.
1.2 1.9
Price/Earnings (x)
Price per share divided by earnings per share.
14.6 15.5
Price/Cash Flow (x)
Price per share divided by cash flow per share.
6.3 10.0
Dividend Yield %
Calculated by annualizing the last quarterly dividend paid and dividing it by the current share price. The dividend yield is that of the securities held in the portfolio; it is not reflective of the yield distributed to shareholders.
3.7 3.0
SEC 30 Day Yield (subsidized) %
As of 11/30/2024 | SEC 30-Day Yield This calculation is based on a 30-day period ending on the last day of the month shown. It is computed by dividing the net investment income per share earned during the period by the maximum offering price per share on the last day of the period. The yield figure reflects the dividends and interest earned during the period, after the deduction of the fund’s expenses. A subsidized yield takes into consideration the expenses paid by the advisor.
1.81 --
SEC 30 Day Yield (unsubsidized) %
As of 11/30/2024 | SEC 30-Day Yield This calculation is based on a 30-day period ending on the last day of the month shown. It is computed by dividing the net investment income per share earned during the period by the maximum offering price per share on the last day of the period. The yield figure reflects the dividends and interest earned during the period, after the deduction of the fund’s expenses. A subsidized yield takes into consideration the expenses paid by the advisor.
1.81 --
Active Share %
A measure of the percentage of stock holdings in a manager’s portfolio that differs from the benchmark index.
87.7 --
Number of Holdings 67 --
Weighted Average Mkt. Cap ($bil)
The average market capitalization of a fund's equity portfolio gives investors a measure of the size of the companies in which the fund invests. Market capitalization is calculated by multiplying the number of a company's shares outstanding by its price per share.
71.0 94.7
Portfolio Turnover (TTM) %
(Trailing Twelve Months)
30.5 --
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Top 10 Holdings (%)

Company % Country Industry
Alibaba Group Holding Ltd 3.7 China Broadline Retail
Takeda Pharmaceutical Co Ltd 3.0 Japan Pharmaceuticals
Sanofi SA 2.6 France Pharmaceuticals
Heineken Holding NV 2.5 Netherlands Beverages
Swatch Group AG 2.4 Switzerland Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods
UBS Group AG 2.2 Switzerland Capital Markets
Carrefour SA 2.1 France Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail
Henkel AG & Co KGaA 2.0 Germany Household Products
Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC 2.0 United Kingdom Aerospace & Defense
Embraer SA 2.0 Brazil Aerospace & Defense
% of Fund 24.5    
Portfolio holdings are subject to change at any time at the discretion of the investment manager.
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Top 10 Country Allocation (%)

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Sector Allocation (%)

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Regional Allocation (%)

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Market Weightings (%)

Brandes International Equity Fund MSCI EAFE Index
Developed Markets 77.1 100.0
Emerging Markets 20.6 -
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Distributions

Type Record Date
Date on which a shareholder must officially own shares in order to be entitled to a dividend. After the date of record, the stock is said to be ex-dividend.
Ex-Date
Date on which a fund begins trading without the benefit of the dividend. Typically, a fund's price moves up by the dollar amount of the dividend as the ex-dividend date approaches, then falls by the amount of the dividend after that date.
Payable Date
Date on which a declared fund dividend or a bond interest payment is scheduled to be paid.
Amount
Income Dividend
Payout to shareholders of interest, dividends, or other income received by the Fund, net of operating expenses. By law, all such income must be distributed to shareholders, who may choose to take the money in cash or reinvest it in more shares of the Fund.
Jun 27, 2024 Jun 28, 2024 Jun 28, 2024 $0.266990
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Fees/Expenses

Annual Fund Operating Expenses Class C
Net Expense Ratio 1.88%
Annual Management 0.75%
Other Expenses 0.13%
Service 12b-1 0.75%
Shareholder Servicing 0.25%
Expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment.
Shareholder Fees Class C
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price) None
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) 1.00%*
Fees paid directly from your investment.
*A charge of 1.00% will be imposed on Class C shares redeemed within one year of purchase by any investor.

Resources

Fund Report

Brandes Funds Annual Financial Statements and Other Information
Brandes International Equity Fund (Class C/BIECX) Annual Report
Brandes Investment Trust Semi-Annual Report

Fact Sheet

Brandes International Equity Fund Fact Sheet

Quarterly Commentary

Brandes International Equity Fund Quarterly Commentary

Application

IRA Rollover Transfer Form

Prospectus

Brandes Equity Funds Prospectus
Brandes Funds Statement of Additional Information
Brandes International Equity Fund Summary Prospectus

Other Resources

Brandes at a Glance
Brandes Dividend Calendar
Brandes International Equity Fund Quarterly Portfolio Review
Brandes Mutual Fund Complex at a Glance
Brandes Mutual Funds Capital Gains Distribution Estimates
Daily Prices
Regulatory Literature
The International Equity Fund invests principally in common and preferred stocks of foreign companies. These companies generally have market capitalizations (market value of publicly traded securities) greater than $1 billion. A foreign company is determined to be “foreign” on the basis of its domicile, its principal place of business, its primary stock exchange listing, the source of its revenues or other factors. Under normal market conditions, the International Equity Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (plus any borrowings for investment purposes) measured at the time of purchase in equity securities of issuers located in at least three countries outside the United States. Equity securities include common and preferred stocks, warrants and rights. Up to 30% of the International Equity Fund’s total assets, measured at the time of purchase, may be invested in securities of companies located in countries with emerging securities markets.

Brandes Investment Partners, L.P., the Fund’s investment advisor (the “Advisor”), uses the principles of value investing to analyze and select equity securities for the International Equity Fund’s investment portfolio. When buying equity securities, the Advisor assesses the estimated “intrinsic” value of a company based on data such as a company’s earnings power, cash flow generation, and/or asset value of the underlying business. By choosing securities that are selling at a discount to the Advisor’s estimates of their share of the company’s intrinsic business value, the Advisor seeks to establish an opportunity for long-term capital appreciation. The Advisor may sell a security when its price reaches a target set by the Advisor, the Advisor believes that other investments are more attractive, or for other reasons.

† The Advisor has contractually agreed to limit the International Equity Fund’s Class A, Class C, Class I and Class R6 annual operating expenses (exclusive of acquired fund feeds and expenses, taxes, interest, brokerage commissions, expenses incurred in connection with any merger or reorganization or extraordinary expenses such as litigation), including repayment of previous waivers, to 1.20% for Class A, 1.95% for Class C, 0.85% for Class I and 0.75% for Class R6, as percentages of the respective Fund classes’ average daily net assets through July 15, 2026 (the “Expense Caps”). The Expense Caps may be terminated at any time by the Board of Trustees upon 60 days’ written notice to the Advisor. The Advisor is permitted, with Board approval, to be reimbursed for fee reductions and/or expense payments made in the prior 36 months following the waiver or reimbursement with respect to any Class of the Fund. The Advisor may request reimbursement if the aggregate amount paid by the Fund toward operating expenses for the Class for such period (taking into account any reimbursement) does not exceed the lesser of the Expense Cap in effect at the time of waiver or at the time of reimbursement.

Other Expenses for Class I shares includes 0.05% of class-specific sub-transfer agency fees.
Because the values of the Fund's investments will fluctuate with market conditions, so will the value of your investment in the Fund. You could lose money on your investment in the Fund, or the Fund could underperform other investments. The values of the Fund’s investments fluctuate in response to the activities of individual companies and general stock market and economic conditions. In addition, the performance of foreign securities depends on the political and economic environments and other overall economic conditions in the countries where the Fund invests. Emerging country markets involve greater risk and volatility than more developed markets. Some emerging markets countries may have fixed or managed currencies that are not free-floating against the U.S. dollar. Certain of these currencies have experienced, and may experience in the future, substantial fluctuations or a steady devaluation relative to the U.S. dollar. Growth stocks typically are more volatile than value stocks; however, value stocks have a lower expected growth rate in earnings and sales.
The MSCI EAFE Index with net dividends captures large and mid cap representation of developed market countries excluding the U.S. and Canada.
The MSCI EAFE Value Index with net dividends captures large and mid cap securities across developed market countries, excluding the United States and Canada, exhibiting value style characteristics, defined using book value to price, 12-month forward earnings to price, and dividend yield.
The MSCI information may only be used for your internal use, may not be reproduced or redisseminated in any form and may not be used as a basis for or a component of any financial instruments or products or indices. None of the MSCI information is intended to constitute investment advice or a recommendation to make (or retrain from making) any kind of investment decision and may not be relied on as such. Historical data and analysis should not be taken as an indication or guarantee of any future performance analysis, forecast or prediction. The MSCI information is provided on an “as is” basis and the user of this information assumes the entire risk or any uses made of this information. MSCI, each of its affiliates and each other person involved in or related to compiling, computing or creating any MSCI information (collectively, the “MSCI Parties”) expressly disclaims all warranties (including without limitations, any warranties of originality, accuracy, completeness, timeliness, non-infringement, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose) with respect to this information. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall any MSCI Party have any liability for any direct, indirect, special, incidental, punitive, consequential (including, without limitation, lost profits) or any other damages (www.msci.com)
It is not possible to invest directly in an index.
The Fund's Composition, Holdings and Sector Weightings are subject to change and should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any security. 
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The Morningstar RatingTM for funds, or "star rating", is calculated for managed products (including mutual funds, variable annuity and variable life subaccounts, exchange-traded funds, closed-end funds, and separate accounts) with at least a three-year history. Exchange-traded funds and open-ended mutual funds are considered a single population for comparative purposes. It is calculated based on a Morningstar Risk-Adjusted Return measure that accounts for variation in a managed product's monthly excess performance, placing more emphasis on downward variations and rewarding consistent performance. The top 10% of products in each product category receive 5 stars, the next 22.5% receive 4 stars, the next 35% receive 3 stars, the next 22.5% receive 2 stars, and the bottom 10% receive 1 star. The Overall Morningstar Rating for a managed product is derived from a weighted average of the performance figures associated with its three-, five-, and 10-year (if applicable) Morningstar Rating metrics. The weights are: 100% three-year rating for 36-59 months of total returns, 60% five-year rating/40% three-year rating for 60-119 months of total returns, and 50% 10-year rating/30% five-year rating/20% three-year rating for 120 or more months of total returns. While the 10-year overall star rating formula seems to give the most weight to the 10-year period, the most recent three-year period actually has the greatest impact because it is included in all three rating periods. Ratings for other share classes may differ. For current performance, please view the Performance page of the web site or call 800.395.3807.