Global Quarterly Update

Magellan Asset Management

October 2023

Arvid Streimann discusses recent market volatility and the risks to watch out for, while Nikki Thomas shares her observations from her recent US trip and updates us on how the portfolio is positioned for the evolving investment landscape. (Viewing time: 15 mins)

Funds operated by this manager:

Magellan Global Fund (Hedged), Magellan Global Fund (Open Class Units) ASX:MGOC, Magellan High Conviction Fund, Magellan Infrastructure Fund, Magellan Infrastructure Fund (Unhedged), MFG Core Infrastructure Fund

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Hedge Clippings | 27 October 2023

Australia's latest inflation data was released on Wednesday, triggering forecasts from three of the big four banks, and a multitude of other economists, for a Melbourne Cup rate rise. Depending on one's point of view, the numbers themselves weren't completely convincing:

CPI rose 1.2% in the September quarter, up from 0.8% from June's number, but as Michelle Marquardt, the ABS head of prices statistics noted, the September's number continued to be lower than those seen in 2022. The problem lies in the volatility of the quarterly figures, exaggerated by the price of fuel in particular, which rose 7.2% following two consecutive quarters where the cost of filling up at the pump fell. (If you hadn't noticed fuel costs have risen 20% over the past 12 months.)

So September's number of 1.2%, whilst higher than June's 0.8%, was still below the March figure of 1.4%, and still well down from all four quarters in 2022, which averaged 1.9% and led to a year end annual rate of 7.8%. Since that peak, the annualised number has been steadily falling, and is now down to 5.4% as shown below:

Source: ABS.gov.au

Cue Michele Bullock fronting the Senate estimates committee the following day, admitting that while slightly higher than the bank had been expecting, the numbers were pretty much "where we thought it would come out, given the information we've come into since then." The concern the RBA governor pointed to was in services inflation - electricity, rents and wages - which although "declining is still higher than it should be, and tends to be persistent." Therein lies the problem - although falling, inflation is staying higher than the December forecast of 4.1%, and still a long way from the RBA's target of 2-3%.

Bullock's dilemma (if she has one) is not only the volatility of the monthly numbers, but the persistence of higher inflation, which may lead to a vicious cycle of consumers' inflationary expectations adjusting upwards. If she increases rates on Cup day, the effect won't be evenly felt, and the risk of putting a dent in the economy remains - which is not what the "narrow path" journey is all about.

Our concern is to what extent would a further 0.25% to 4.35% prove to be an economic "tipping point"? We haven't discounted the RBA leaving rates where they are, or possibly giving them a nudge by 0.15%. Time will tell.

Global Matters

Albo, fresh from his Voice defeat, headed off to the US to be welcomed by a 21 gun salute, and as guest of honour at a black tie dinner for 300 at the White House, hosted by Joe Biden, who was technically wearing "a" black tie, just not a penguin suit and bow tie. Who would have thought Albo would be keeping Australia's sartorial standards up on the world stage?

One of the major topics of discussion, aside from the situation in Israel and Gaza, was China, with Biden urging Albanese to "trust but verify" which sounds more like a thinly veiled "don't trust and verify" message.

Co-incidentally - or otherwise - China released its "Outlook on China's Foreign Policy on Its Neighbourhood in the New Era," published in the People's Daily this week which included, among other things, this warning:

"China will resolutely take forward the endeavour of national reunification, firmly oppose 'Taiwan independence' separatist activities in any form, and firmly safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity. The more forceful our measures are to forestall separation, the greater possibility there is to ensure peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and uphold peace and prosperity in the region."

With President Xi due to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in San Francisco on November 15-17, at which he will meet with President Biden, we suspect the discussions will be more far reaching - and less cordial - than those our Prime Minister enjoyed this week.

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Why Cash Is (Still) Not King

Redwheel

October 2023

Funds operated by this manager:

Sources:

[1] Indices: Developed Market Equities (DM) - MSCI World Index; Developed Market Value Equities (DM Value) - MSCI World Value Index; Developed Market Growth Equities (DM Growth) - MSCI World Growth Index; Emerging Market Equities (EM) - MSCI Emerging Markets Index; Global Bonds - Bloomberg Global Aggregate Bond Index; Commodities - Bloomberg Commodities Index; US T-Bills (Cash) - Bloomberg US Treasury Bill Index.

Key Information
No investment strategy or risk management technique can guarantee returns or eliminate risks in any market environment. Past performance is not a guide to future results. The prices of investments and income from them may fall as well as rise and an investor's investment is subject to potential loss, in whole or in part. Forecasts and estimates are based upon subjective assumptions about circumstances and events that may not yet have taken place and may never do so. The statements and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author as of the date of publication, and do not necessarily represent the view of Redwheel. This article does not constitute investment advice and the information shown is for illustrative purposes only.