EdenTree fund manager Hiorns has bought up French stocks despite civil unrest

Oct 20 (Reuters) - Chris Hiorns, who manages around £1 billion ($1.3 billion) for investment company EdenTree, has recently bought up several French stocks for the EdenTree Sustainable European Equity Fund despite the recent civil unrest in France.

• In a note published on Tuesday, Hiorns said he had added property company Gecina GFCP.PA to the fund

• Hiorns has also increased the fund's position in property company Covivio CVO.PA, utility company Veolia VIE.PA and supermarket retailer Carrefour CARR.PA

• The EdenTree Sustainable European Equity Fund, which manages around £365 million, also holds stakes in healthcare company Sanofi SASY.PA and tyre maker Michelin MICP.PA

• "Despite the somewhat bleak political and macroeconomic outlook ... we still believe there are attractive opportunities to be found on the French stock market, with companies often far more resilient to economic, financial and political turmoil than their valuations would suggest," said Hiorns.

• "Indeed, for value-orientated investors willing to take a more contrarian approach, we believe the French equity market can still provide an interesting hunting ground," he added.

($1 = 0.7479 pounds)