East Capital Balkans fund wins LSEG Lipper Fund Award for third consecutive year
East Capital, part of East Capital Group, is proud to announce that East Capital Balkans fund (Class A EUR) has been named LSEG Lipper Fund Awards 2026 Europe Active Winner, Best Equity Emerging Markets Europe Fund over five years, marking the third consecutive year the fund has received this prestigious recognition.
The award highlights the fund’s consistently strong risk-adjusted performance relative to its peers, based on Lipper’s objective, quantitative methodology. It also underscores the strength of East Capital’s long-standing investment approach in a region characterised by structural growth and transformation.
The East Capital Balkans fund focuses on one of Europe’s most compelling structural growth stories. Key drivers include continued EU convergence in countries such as Romania and Croatia, alongside Greece’s ongoing reform journey, where the country is moving towards potential reclassification as a developed market. This transition has the potential to broaden the investor base and support valuations across the region. Rising domestic consumption, increasing investment and improving corporate governance further strengthen the long-term investment case.
The fund’s performance is underpinned by East Capital’s active, high-conviction investment process, combining deep local presence with fundamental research. By spending time on the ground and engaging directly with company management teams, the investment team identifies high-quality businesses early and supports them through their growth journeys.
The fund continues to deliver strong performance, including:
- +120% 3-year return (benchmark +58%)
- +209% 5-year return (benchmark +145%)
Performance per 28 February 2026 for East Capital Balkans Class A EUR, net of fees.
Jacob Grapengiesser, Partner and Chief Investment Officer (CIO), East Capital, says: “Winning this award for the third consecutive year reflects the strength and consistency of our investment process. Our focus has always been on identifying high-quality companies early and maintaining a long-term perspective, supported by deep market knowledge and active ownership.”
Eglé Fredriksson, Portfolio Manager, East Capital Balkans, adds: “The Balkans region continues to offer attractive opportunities driven by structural reforms, EU convergence and increasing investor interest. Our on-the-ground research and close engagement with companies allow us to uncover businesses with strong fundamentals and long-term growth potential.”
For more than 30 years, the LSEG Lipper Fund Awards have recognised funds that deliver consistently strong risk-adjusted performance over three, five and ten years, relative to their peers.
This latest recognition further reinforces East Capital’s position as a specialist investor in emerging and frontier markets, with a proven ability to generate sustainable, long-term value for clients.
Read more about our award-winning fund East Capital Balkans.
Important information
The LSEG Lipper Fund Awards, granted annually, highlight funds and fund companies that have excelled in delivering consistently strong risk-adjusted performance relative to their peers.
The LSEG Lipper Fund Awards are based on the Lipper Leader for Consistent Return rating, which is a risk-adjusted performance measure calculated over 36, 60 and 120 months. The fund with the highest Lipper Leader for Consistent Return (Effective Return) value in each eligible classification wins the LSEG Lipper Fund Award. For more information, see lipperfundawards.com. Although LSEG makes reasonable efforts to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the data contained herein, their accuracy is not guaranteed by LSEG Lipper.
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