NEWS

27 Feb 2023 - 10k Words
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10k Words Equitable Investors February 2023 The "US equity market performance this year can broadly be characterised as a dash for trash," Bespoke declared on Feb 3. Our own analysis of ASX micro-to-mids shows a similar trend - CY2022 losers are now the winners, as are stocks on higher multiples. A case for higher cash rates was charted by Charles Schwab even as Moody's showed inflation is slowing in some countries. FactSet calculated that the decline in the bottom-up EPS estimate recorded during the first month of the first quarter was larger than the 5, 10 and 20 year averages. This follows S&P 500 Q4 GAAP earnings falling 13% year-over-year, as Creative Planning charted. Behind the earnings, JP Morgan found the strongest consensus for a US recession on record. Folkelore Ventures published data on the tough year that was 2022 for Australian VC. In the tech sector we have Apple & Microsoft trading above their 10-year average EV/EBITDA multiples while Google/Alphabet and Meta/Facebook are now below average. JP Morgan reckons households have been deploying into equity and bond funds in early 2023 after underinvesting in 2022. Crypto assets lost $US1.5 trillion in capitalisation says ARK. Finally, we take a look at corruption hot spots via Statista. Russell 1000 Decile Analysis: CY2023-to-date % change
Source: Bespoke
ASX Micro-to-Mids - "Financial, Industrial & Technology" (FIT) factor performance in CY2023-to-date Source: Equitable Investors Proxy Fed Funds Rate Source: Charles Schwab Year-on-year inflation is slowing in some countries Source: Moody's Change in S&P 500 Quarterly EPS: 1st month of quarter Source: FactSet
S&P 500 As Reported (GAAP) EPS Growth (Year-on-Year %) Source: Creative Planning. @CharlieBilello Survey of Professional Forecasters US Recession Probability Source: Pitchbook, Morningstar, @macroalf Australian Venture Capital raisings by number and amount Source: Cut Through Venture, Folkelore Ventures Forward EV/EVITDA multiples over 10 years for tech leaders Source: TIKR, Equitable Investors Global equity & bond fund flows Source: JP Morgan ~$US1.5 trillion wiped out in crypto market capitalisation in 2022 Source: ARK Investment Management Perceived public sector corruption in 2022 Source: Statista, Transparency International February Edition Funds operated by this manager: Equitable Investors Dragonfly Fund Disclaimer Nothing in this blog constitutes investment advice - or advice in any other field. Neither the information, commentary or any opinion contained in this blog constitutes a solicitation or offer by Equitable Investors Pty Ltd (Equitable Investors) or its affiliates to buy or sell any securities or other financial instruments. Nor shall any such security be offered or sold to any person in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation, purchase, or sale would be unlawful under the securities laws of such jurisdiction. The content of this blog should not be relied upon in making investment decisions. Any decisions based on information contained on this blog are the sole responsibility of the visitor. In exchange for using this blog, the visitor agree to indemnify Equitable Investors and hold Equitable Investors, its officers, directors, employees, affiliates, agents, licensors and suppliers harmless against any and all claims, losses, liability, costs and expenses (including but not limited to legal fees) arising from your use of this blog, from your violation of these Terms or from any decisions that the visitor makes based on such information. This blog is for information purposes only and is not intended to be relied upon as a forecast, research or investment advice. The information on this blog does not constitute a recommendation, offer or solicitation to buy or sell any securities or to adopt any investment strategy. Although this material is based upon information that Equitable Investors considers reliable and endeavours to keep current, Equitable Investors does not assure that this material is accurate, current or complete, and it should not be relied upon as such. Any opinions expressed on this blog may change as subsequent conditions vary. Equitable Investors does not warrant, either expressly or implied, the accuracy or completeness of the information, text, graphics, links or other items contained on this blog and does not warrant that the functions contained in this blog will be uninterrupted or error-free, that defects will be corrected, or that the blog will be free of viruses or other harmful components. Equitable Investors expressly disclaims all liability for errors and omissions in the materials on this blog and for the use or interpretation by others of information contained on the blog |

24 Feb 2023 - Hedge Clippings |24 February 2023
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Hedge Clippings | 24 February 2023 Beware of the Politician with his hand in your pocket... The government set the proverbial cat among the pigeons this week with the "floating" of ideas to change the superannuation system - with a particular emphasis on the top end of town, and it seems those fortunate - or smart enough - to have a super balance of $3 million or more. Depending on where you sit - or maybe that should be where your super balance sits - this is either irrelevant or a clear breach of then shadow treasurer Jim Chalmers' statement on the ABC in March last year that "Australians shouldn't expect major changes to superannuation if the government changes hands." Chalmers is on electorally safe ground for two reasons: Firstly, it's a fair bet that Labor will stay in office for at least one term after the present one, and secondly, he quotes the statistic that the average balance in super is about $150,000. Of course, this is misleading, presumably deliberately, so as not to alienate the "average" voter. The average balance includes those who have only recently joined the workforce - and by recently that would include those on "average" wages who've been working for the past 20 years. According to AMP, you'll need to be closer to 50 than 40 to have a super balance of $150,000 while the average super balance of a 65-70 year old male is $414,380, and $370,042 for a female. Unfortunately, AFSA calculates that a comfortable retirement lifestyle requires a balance of $640,000, so the average is not going to be enough for the average retiree. Super is great, but for the majority is not enough. Chalmers, Albanese, and Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones have all hit the airwaves to re-iterate that any changes are fairly and squarely aimed at the top end of town, and unlikely to resonate elsewhere - although they should. For far too long superannuation has been tweaked by both sides of politics to the extent that it is incomprehensible to the average (there's that word again) worker. Successive governments have used a combination of carrot (tax incentives for voluntary contributions) and stick (legislation to compel employers to pay or deduct from wages) to reduce the reliance on welfare in retirement. Both have been successful but only up to a point. The stick has helped, but not enough to provide a comfortable retirement to the average retiree. Meanwhile, the carrot has, for those in the treasurer's sights, been overly successful, such that he wants his share of their success! You can't offer a carrot, then take a stick to those who make the most of it. You know what they say about the dangers of having a politician's hand in your pocket... While it seems the devil will be in the detail, hints are that the aim is to limit the amount one can have in super to $3 million. This seems patently unworkable to a simple mind such as ours. More logical would be to set a reasonable tax rate for income over a certain level (excluding capital withdrawal) from super in retirement. That won't be popular either, because once a tax has been introduced it will only be a matter of time before it is increased. Chalmers is trying to avoid the stuff-up Bill Shorten made suggesting changes to franking credits before his 2019 election loss. His other target might be negative gearing on property, but too many pollies have second properties (Albo included) so that's not likely as too many votes would evaporate. Taxing the super of the rich (and the not so rich) is a much safer option. |
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News & Insights Market Update January | Australian Secure Capital Fund China re-opening post COVID | 4D Infrastructure January 2023 Performance News Bennelong Long Short Equity Fund Digital Asset Fund (Digital Opportunities Class) Insync Global Quality Equity Fund Glenmore Australian Equities Fund Delft Partners Global High Conviction Strategy |
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24 Feb 2023 - Performance Report: Collins St Value Fund
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24 Feb 2023 - China's reopening presents opportunities for investors
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China's reopening presents opportunities for investors WaveStone Capital February 2023 The end of China's zero Covid Policy has spurred a dramatic turnaround in not only China's equity market, but also those with China-linked revenues. The opportunity for Australia has historically been in resources, but WaveStone Capital think it will be different this time. Hear from Raaz Bhuyan, Principal and Portfolio Manager on the opportunities for investors as the biggest contributor to global economic output opens its doors.
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Funds operated by this manager: WaveStone Australian Share Fund, WaveStone Capital Absolute Return Fund, WaveStone Dynamic Australian Equity Fund |

23 Feb 2023 - Performance Report: Equitable Investors Dragonfly Fund
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23 Feb 2023 - The Safeguard Mechanism - What's all the fuss about?
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The Safeguard Mechanism - What's all the fuss about? Alphinity Investment Management February 2023 The Australian ESG world was sent into a flurry by changes to the Safeguard Mechanism and Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) that were proposed in January. The Safeguard Mechanism was put in place in 2016 as part of the Emissions Reduction Fund. It essentially set emissions limits (baselines) for high-emitting industrial facilities across Australia and required facilities to buy carbon credits to compensate for any emissions in excess of that baseline. The scheme covers more than 200 individual facilities, each of which emits more than 100 000 tonnes of carbon equivalents per year. These Safeguard Facilities generate almost 30% of Australia's total emissions between them and many are owned by some of Australia's biggest listed companies including BHP, Rio Tinto, BlueScope Steel, Santos, Woodside Energy, Orica, and South32. Last year, when the new Federal Government made a commitment - and legislated - to reduce national emissions 43% by 2030 and reach net zero by 2050, it flagged the need to strengthen the Safeguard Mechanism which would continue to encourage Australia's largest emitters to reduce emissions. The Government finally released its position paper in January which proposed changes to the scheme. Although many expected this would be the final say on the changes, the Government has committed to one more round of feedback (due 24 February), before final changes will come into force on 1 July 2023. There are a number of key changes to the scheme which may mean many companies will exceed their baselines at a facility level (at least initially), however, this will be more of an issue for companies which have most of their operations in Australia. The Safeguard Mechanism will have less of an impact on companies like BHP, that operate globally, since the facility level impact will be diluted at the group level. Changes to the schemeA few important changes to be aware of:
For example, the graph below shows the change to the baselines for Bluescope Steel's Port Kembla asset. Assuming its production remains largely consistent, there would be a 14% difference between emissions at the facility and the baseline requirements in 2030.
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Funds operated by this manager: Alphinity Australian Share Fund, Alphinity Concentrated Australian Share Fund, Alphinity Global Equity Fund, Alphinity Sustainable Share Fund Disclaimer |

22 Feb 2023 - Performance Report: Delft Partners Global High Conviction Strategy
[Current Manager Report if available]

22 Feb 2023 - Performance Report: Glenmore Australian Equities Fund
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22 Feb 2023 - China re-opening post COVID
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China re-opening post COVID 4D Infrastructure February 2023
While it was always a matter of when (not if) China would reopen, the abrupt change in stance has reaffirmed and brought forward multiple domestic and global investment opportunities, and could also support a global economy that was rapidly weakening. In this article, we summarise key policy changes, the improving macro outlook, and what the reopening of the world's second biggest economy means for global listed infrastructure investors. COVID-zero policyOn December 26, 2022, China's National Health Commission (NHC) announced that its COVID prevention and control management would be downgraded from class A (covering bubonic plague and cholera) to class B (SARS, AIDS, anthrax), effective from January 8, 2023. Class B relinquishes the power of local authorities to quarantine patients and close contacts, and lock down regions. Since dismantling its zero-COVID policy, China has been grappling with what's shaping-up to be the biggest COVID outbreak ever seen. By mid-January, many local authorities had indicated that daily cases had passed the peak. However, we anticipate an uptick in cases following the Lunar New Year holiday, particularly in country and rural areas. It remains unclear just how severe and widespread the outbreak is, given the government stopped universal testing and changed how it defines COVID mortality. Additionally, the abrupt policy change caught many domestic operators off guard, preventing immediate normalisation of business activity to pre-COVID activity levels. These impediments include labour disruptions (either through infection or re-training requirements), capacity and/or services shortages, entry restrictions imposed by other countries, and passport renewals/visa applications. While this may weigh on sentiment and economic activity in the near term, we expect pent-up demand, willingness to spend and policy support measures to continue to reduce bottlenecks and drive a consumption-led rebound in economic activity relatively quickly. The Chinese roadmap to reopening post-congressImproving macro outlook - in country and globalChina held its annual Central Economic Conference in late December 2022. Emerging from the conference, policymakers set sights on growth in 2023. Officials called for targeted and forceful monetary policy and strengthened fiscal policy. The aim is to expand domestic demand, with priority given to employment, and boosting consumption. Despite no official nationwide economic growth target being set, most provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions have unveiled their GDP growth targets for 2023, with rates ranging from 4.0-9.5% and an average of 5.95%. Consumption, investment, stimuli and policy are core pillars of the rebound. Most targets remain above the forecasts by foreign institutions and agencies, which range between 4.5-5.5%, although we have recently seen upward revisions to these following the re-opening. (Notably, IMF increased its growth forecast to 5.2% in late January-23 from 4.6% earlier projected in November-22). At 4D, we look for the underlying data and other proxies that support the headline growth numbers. Specific to infrastructure, these include expressway traffic, railway patronage, airline passengers, gas & electricity consumption, port throughput data and plant utilisation rates. Outside of infrastructure, data includes retail sales, new car sales, new property development and sales. We accumulate and amalgamate this data as a thermometer to gauge economic activity. The re-opening of China could also benefit a world anticipating its own domestic slowdown. For example:
Xinhua News Agency - Passengers crowded at the North Railway Station, Shenzhen waiting to cross into Hong Kong as cross-border services resumed for the first time since January 2020 Infrastructure sectorInvestment in infrastructure has been a key pillar of China's stimulus plan for decades, supporting and boosting economic growth in times of need, such as post the GFC and, more recently, throughout the pandemic. Fixed asset investment increased 5.1% to CNY57.2 trillion in 2022, up from 4.9% in 2021 and 2.9% in 2020. The table below summarises the opportunities across the key infrastructure sub-sectors from re-opening and related policy/stimuli at both a domestic and international level. The Chinese roadmap to reopening post-congressOn forward earnings estimates, despite the recent market rally, we highlight that Chinese listed infrastructure names remain undervalued, trading well below pre-pandemic levels and 5-year averages. Undemanding valuations and strong tailwinds in 2023 set the stage for a strong re-rating. Source: Bloomberg ConclusionInfrastructure will be both a key driver and a beneficiary of China's reopening, and the central government's focus on increasing domestic consumption and economic recovery. We anticipate more stimulus and policies promoting growth over the coming months, particularly post the plenary National People's Congress in March. This will bring forward the infrastructure investment needed to support the emerging middle class, continued urbanisation, decarbonisation goals and wealth equality. The reopening has a wide-reaching impact, fostering multiple tailwinds not just within China but across our larger global listed infrastructure universe. At 4D we are capitalising on this via direct investment in China (toll roads, gas operators and ports) as well as at a global level (second wave for airports, midstream in the US and commodity transportation in Brazil, North America). |
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Funds operated by this manager: 4D Global Infrastructure Fund, 4D Emerging Markets Infrastructure FundThe content contained in this article represents the opinions of the authors. This commentary in no way constitutes a solicitation of business or investment advice. It is intended solely as an avenue for the authors to express their personal views on investing and for the entertainment of the reader. |

21 Feb 2023 - Performance Report: Insync Global Quality Equity Fund
[Current Manager Report if available]



