New Funds on Fundmonitors.com

Below are some of the funds we've recently added to our database. Follow the links to view each fund's profile, where you'll have access to their offer documents, monthly reports, historical returns, performance analytics, rankings, research, platform availability, and news & insights. 

View Profile

View Profile

Want to see more funds?

Subscribe for full access to these funds and over 600 others

Active dividend income after the pandemic:

From 'pub with no beer' to multi-year growth outlook

Michael Price, Ausbil Investment Management

The pandemic and the COVID sell-down, a potential nightmare scenario for income investors, has given us a real-life stress test in which some companies lost almost all revenue in a demand shock from which we are still unwinding. Michael Price, Portfolio Manager, Equity Income, answers your questions on how dividends changed in the pandemic, with some encouraging and valuable lessons on active dividend investing for the future.

Q: Give us the 'elevator pitch' on what is happening in ASX dividends.

A: In short and simple terms, the elevator pitch on dividends is as follows. The recent boom in resources as part of a mega-cycle in bulk and base metals, and battery materials has seen dividends from resources companies take share from the usually dominant banks. At the end of 2021, this expected to see resource dividends exceed bank dividend payments in 2021 and 2022, as illustrated in Chart 1.

Chart 1: Banks ceded their traditional dividend dominance in 2020 (% of market dividends paid)

Banks had a tough few years, and in the pandemic they had to cut (cancel in Westpac's case) dividends to help provision for potential bad and doubtful debts (which did not eventuate to anywhere near the level projected), as illustrated in Chart 2. The recent dividends show the switch to growth momentum in bank earnings as the economy surges.

Chart 2: Bank dividends took a hit, but they are coming back

Banks, resources companies and the broad market are now looking at multi-year earnings upgrades that we forecast will result in multi-year dividend upgrades. An active approach to dividends can optimise the opportunities this brings, including capturing more franking credits across the year from this fundamental earnings growth.

Q: What do dividends look like compared to the past?

A: The long-term average dividend yield for the S&P/ASX 200 over the last 20-years has been around 4% before adjusting for any franking credits. During this period, there have been two major dividend tail events. The first was the GFC, with COVID-19 the second, as illustrated in

Chart 3. Chart 3: Dividend yields set for a rerate

The GFC saw dividends per share fall some 30% as the world entered financial crisis, and the US suffered a major recession. Move forward a decade, and the pandemic of 2020 saw an even larger disruption, with dividends falling some 33% during COVID.

The nature of the pandemic, which for many companies involved seeing their revenue line almost instantaneously run dry like 'a pub with no beer', impacted payout ratios through companies retaining earnings to fund the impact of COVID. This saw a general re-basing of dividends across the market in effected stocks, including banks, where APRA determined that banks should pay smaller dividends and retain additional capital for the purposes of provisioning. Contactus@ ausbil.com.au 2 Bank dividends 30% fall in GFC 3

Q: Why are dividends complicated, what are some of the considerations for investors?

A: The old heuristics around which companies are income generators and who pays the best dividends are out the window as markets have become increasingly volatile, and many of the perennial 'dividend darlings' have been supplanted. An active approach to dividend investing is more important than ever, for a number of reasons. Firstly, dividends are paid almost every month of the year, as evidenced in Chart 4. A simple buy-and-hold strategy cannot maximise the spread of dividends and franking credits on offer across the calendar year.

Chart 4: An active dividend strategy can find more dividends and more franking credits for investors across the year

Secondly, stocks have become more volatile around reporting season, as illustrated in Chart 5. Understanding the underlying fundamentals of each company, and tactical allocation can help reduce the impact of this price volatility on overall portfolio value.

Chart 5: An active dividend income approach can help manage volatility around reporting

Q: So, what is your outlook for dividends in the coming years?

A: We are at an interesting point in time, where monetary policy has seen yields across non-equity asset classes fall dramatically to lows they are expected to hold for a number of years. Relative to bond, credit and cash yields, the yield on equities (excluding any potential from capital gains) is relatively higher, as illustrated in Chart 6. 

Chart 6: Investors continue to look to equity yields as an anchor for income strategies

While dividend yields fell away during the pandemic, they are showing recovery, as illustrated in Chart 6. Across 2020 and into early 2021, dividends across the year had fallen with lockdowns across Australia, and globally. The February 2021 half-year reporting season showed that company earnings were recovering on the back of a growing economy. As a result, the consensus outlook for dividends has also risen, showing growth not just for the coming year, but also into 2022 and 2023, as illustrated in Chart 7.

Chart 7: Recovery and a new dividend growth story

The two key sectors where we see the potential for earnings surprise are the banks and resources sectors. Banks, which offer primary exposure to a recovering economy, entered the pandemic after heavy barrage from the Hayne Inquiry and having already been sold down. The pandemic saw them sold down further on fears that the recession and COVID job losses would impact their lending books. All the banks provisioned majorly for the potential for credit loss, and APRA further enforced capital retention through limiting the dividends they were allowed to pay. Looking at the banks in the 2021 New Year, it was evident that the bad and doubtful debt experience was nowhere near predictions, and that the banks had over-provisioned for losses. With APRA allowing a return to more commercial dividend levels, and the economy resurging from the 2020 lows, we could see banks were in a position to reduce these provisions and grow their books further in a renewing real estate market. The result is that over the next few years, the unwind of this over-provisioning will see a rerating of earnings, ahead of the consensus expectation at the time we began up-weighting into banks.

Metals and mining are in the midst of two fundamental themes in global resources investing. The first is the super-cycle demand for Australia's bulk commodities including iron ore, from China in terms of building and infrastructure demand, and as a function of the growth path of the world economy. This theme is expected to drive earnings in companies like BHP, Rio Tinto and Fortescue Metals. The second is the fundamental shift in the energy transition to renewable energy, and the rapid adoption of electric vehicles, which is sparking a secular demand for bulk, base and battery materials (copper, lithium, cobalt, zinc, manganese and rare earths) that is expected to last for decades, underwriting the fundamentals of a strong resources market.

Ausbil has been overweight Banks and Resources (metals and mining) for some time. These overweights remain in place across our portfolios and have driven outperformance across our different strategies. Importantly, we are still in the early stages of the economic cycle, with a positive growth outlook for multiple years that is expected to drive performance in these megasectors.

Taking in the broader economic context, Ausbil's view is that economies will run 'hot' for some time, with the support of policymakers, and are delivering the best growth figures since 1983, across a multi-year growth profile. While inflation will remain an ongoing source of worry as the perennial flipside to growth, it is important to understand whether inflation spikes are intermittent or if they are moves to a higher sustained level. It is our view, and indeed that of most global central banks, that inflation will not be a problem for some years as the world economy returns to health.

Since the historic reversal in consensus across the February reporting season that saw the FY21 consensus earnings outlook for the broad market rebound from -1.6% to +15.6%, consensus earnings outlook for both indices has rerated to +22.5% (S&P/ASX 200) and +22.6% (S&P/ASX 300).

While these earnings figures are strong, Ausbil's house view is that consensus is still underestimating the rebound in earnings that will occur in the prevailing economic conditions, with rates to remain low, and with the world economy providing a tailwind to Australia's current expansion. This will only further benefit the dividend payers on the market, and most benefit investors who are able to actively allocate to the best blend of dividend and franking credits across the market, across each month of the year.

Funds operated by this manager:

DISCLAIMER

Important Information: Australia, Canada, Denmark, Kuwait, Netherlands, Sweden, United Arab Emirates, USA, United Kingdom.

General

Research provided to a client may vary depending upon various factors such as a client's individual preferences as to the frequency and manner of receiving communications, a client's risk profile and investment focus and perspective (e.g., market wide, sector specific, long-term, short-term, etc.), the size and legal and regulatory constraints. This information is for distribution only as may be permitted by law. It is not directed to, or intended for distribution to or use by, any person or entity who is a citizen or resident of, or located, in any locality, state, country or other jurisdiction where such distribution, publication, availability or use would be contrary to law or regulation or would subject Ausbil to any registration or licensing requirement within such jurisdiction. This information is a general communication and is educational in nature; it is not an advertisement nor is it a solicitation or an offer to buy or sell any financial instruments or to participate in any particular trading strategy. Nothing in this document constitutes a representation that any investment strategy or recommendation is suitable or appropriate to an investor's individual circumstances or otherwise constitutes a personal recommendation. By providing this document, none of Ausbil or its representatives has any responsibility or authority to provide or have provided investment advice in a fiduciary capacity or otherwise. Investments involve risks, and investors should exercise prudence and their own judgment in making their investment decisions. None of Ausbil or its representatives is suggesting that the recipient or any other person take a specific course of action or any action at all. By receiving this document, the recipient acknowledges and agrees with the intended purpose described above and further disclaims any expectation or belief that the information constitutes investment advice to the recipient or otherwise purports to meet the investment objectives of the recipient. The financial instruments described in the document may not be eligible for sale in all jurisdictions or to certain categories of investors. The value of any investment or income may go down as well as up, and investors may not get back the full (or any) amount invested. Past performance is not necessarily a guide to future performance. Neither Ausbil nor any of its directors, employees or agents accepts any liability for any loss (including investment loss) or damage arising out of the use of all or any of the Information. Prior to making any investment or financial decisions, any recipient of this document or the information should take steps to understand the risk and return of the investment and seek individualised advice from his or her personal financial, legal, tax and other professional advisors that takes into account all the particular facts and circumstances of his or her investment objectives. Any prices stated in this document are for information purposes only and do not represent valuations for individual securities or other financial instruments. There is no representation that any transaction can or could have been effected at those prices, and any prices do not necessarily reflect Ausbil's internal books and records or theoretical model-based valuations and may be based on certain assumptions. Different assumptions by Ausbil or any other source may yield substantially different results. No representation or warranty, either expressed or implied, is provided in relation to the accuracy, completeness or reliability of the information contained in any materials to which this document relates (the "Information"), except with respect to Information concerning Ausbil. The Information is not intended to be a complete statement or summary of the securities, markets or developments referred to in the document. Ausbil does not undertake to update or keep current the Information. Any opinions expressed in this document may change without notice and may differ or be contrary to opinions expressed by other business areas or groups, personnel or other representative of Ausbil. Any statements contained in this Report attributed to a third party represent Ausbil's interpretation of the data, Information and/or opinions provided by that third party either publicly or through a subscription service, and such use and interpretation have not been reviewed by the third party. In no circumstances may this document or any of the Information (including any forecast, value, index or other calculated amount ("Values")) be used for any of the following purposes: (i) valuation or accounting purposes; (ii) to determine the amounts due or payable, the price or the value of any financial instrument or financial contract; or (iii) to measure the performance of any financial instrument including, without limitation, for the purpose of tracking the return or performance of any Values or of defining the asset allocation of portfolio or of computing performance fees. By receiving this document and the Information you will be deemed to represent and warrant to Ausbil that you will not use this document or any of the Information for any of the above purposes or otherwise rely upon this document or any of the Information. Except as otherwise specified herein, these materials are distributed by Ausbil, to persons who are eligible counterparties or professional clients and are only available to such persons. The Information does not apply to, and should not be relied upon by, retail clients. The information contained in this document is given by Ausbil Investment Management Limited (ABN 2676316473) (AFSL 229722) (Ausbil) and has been prepared for informational and discussion purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to purchase any security or financial product or service. Any such offer or solicitation shall be made only pursuant to an Australian Product Disclosure Statement or other offer document (collectively Offer Document) relating to an Ausbil financial product or service. A copy of the relevant Offer Document may be obtained by calling Ausbil on +612 9259 0200 or by visiting www.ausbil.com.au. You should consider the Offer Documents in deciding whether to acquire, or continue to hold, any financial product. This document is for general use only and does not take into account your personal investment objectives, financial situation and particular needs. Ausbil strongly recommends that you consider the appropriateness of the information and obtain independent financial, legal and taxation advice before deciding whether to invest in an Ausbil financial product or service. The information provided by Ausbil has been done so in good faith and has been derived from sources believed to be accurate at the time of completion. While every care has been taken in preparing this information. Ausbil make no representation or warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of the information provided in this video, except as required by law, or takes any responsibility for any loss or damage suffered as a result or any omission, inadequacy or inaccuracy. Changes in circumstances after the date of publication may impact on the accuracy of the information. Ausbil accepts no responsibility for investment decisions or any other actions taken by any person on the basis of the information included. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. Ausbil does not guarantee the performance of any strategy or fund or the securities of any other entity, the repayment of capital or any particular rate of return. The performance of any strategy or fund depends on the performance of its underlying investments which can fall as well as rise and can result in both capital gains and losses.

Canada This document does not pertain to the offering of any securities. This document is not, and under no circumstances is to be construed as, an advertisement or a public offering of the securities described in Canada. No securities commission or similar authority in Canada has reviewed or in any way passed upon this document or the merits of the securities, and any representation to the contrary is an offence.  

Sweden The information contained in the document is given by Ausbil and has been prepared for information and discussion purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to purchase any security or financial product or service. It is provided to you as an institutional investor as that term is understood under Swedish law. By reading this document, you agree to be bound by these limitations, terms and conditions set out in the paragraphs above.

United Arab Emirates & Kuwait This information relates to a Fund which is not subject to any form of regulation or approval by the Dubai Financial Services Authority ("DFSA"). The DFSA has no responsibility for reviewing or verifying any Prospectus or other documents in connection with this Fund. Accordingly, the DFSA has not approved this or any other associated documents nor taken any steps to verify the information set out in this Prospectus, and has no responsibility for it. The Units to which this Report relates may be illiquid and/or subject to restrictions on their resale. Prospective purchasers should conduct their own due diligence on the Units If you do not understand the contents of this document you should consult an authorized financial adviser. This information does not constitute or form part of any offer to issue or sell, or any solicitation of any offer to subscribe for or purchase, any securities or investment products in Kuwait, UAE (including the Dubai International Financial Centre) and accordingly should not be construed as such. Furthermore, this information is being made available on the basis that the recipient acknowledges and understands that the entities and securities to which it may relate have not been approved, licensed by or registered with the UAE Central Bank, the UAE Securities & Commodities Authority, the Dubai Financial Services Authority or any other relevant licensing authority or governmental agency in the UAE. The content of this Report has not been approved by or filed with the CBK, UAE Central Bank, the UAE Securities & Commodities Authority or Dubai Financial Services Authority.

United Kingdom This information may be issued in the United Kingdom to, and/or is directed at, only persons to or at whom it may lawfully be issued, or directed under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (as amended) including persons who are authorised under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 ("FSMA"), certain persons having professional experience in matters relating to investments, high net worth companies, high net worth unincorporated associations or partnerships, or trustees of high value trusts. The services described in it are only available to such persons in the United Kingdom and this document must not be relied or acted upon by any other persons in the United Kingdom. By reading this document, you agree to be bound by these limitations, terms and conditions set out in the paragraphs above.

Australia The information contained in this Report has been prepared for general use only and does not take into account your personal investment objectives, financial situation or particular needs. Ausbil is the issuer of the Ausbil Australian Active Equity Fund (ARSN 089 996 127), Ausbil Australian Geared Equity Fund (ARSN 124 196 407), Ausbil Australian Emerging Leaders Fund (ARSN 089 995 442), Ausbil MicroCap Fund (ARSN 130 664 872), Ausbil Australian SmallCap Fund (ARSN 630 022 909), Ausbil Balanced Fund (ARSN 089 996 949), Ausbil Active Dividend Income Fund (ARSN 621 670 120), Ausbil Australian Concentrated Fund (ARSN 622 627 696), Ausbil Active Sustainable Equity Fund (ARSN 623 141 784), Ausbil Global SmallCap Fund (ARSN 623 619 625), Candriam Sustainable Global Equity Fund (ARSN 111 733 898), Ausbil 130/30 Focus Fund (ARSN 124 196 621), Ausbil Long Short Focus Fund (ARSN 642 635 498), Ausbil Global Essential Infrastructure Fund (ARSN 628 816 151), Ausbil Global Resources Fund (ARSN 623 619 590) and MacKay Shields Multi-Sector Bond Fund (ARSN 611 482 243) (collectively known as 'the Funds').The information provided is factual only and does not constitute financial product advice. It does not take account of your individual objectives, financial situation or needs. Before you make any decision about whether to invest in a financial product, you should obtain and consider the Product Disclosure Statement of the financial product. The information provided by Ausbil Investment Management Limited (ABN 26 076 316 473 AFSL 229722) has been done so in good faith and has been derived from sources believed to be accurate at the time of compilation. Changes in circumstances, including unlawful interference and unauthorised tampering, after the date of publication may impact on the accuracy of the information. Ausbil Investment Management Limited accepts no responsibility for any inaccuracy or for investment decisions or any other actions taken by any person on the basis of the information included. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. Ausbil Investment Management Limited does not guarantee the performance of the Funds, the repayment of capital or any particular rate of return. The performance of any unit trust depends on the performance of its underlying investment which can fall as well as rise and can result in both capital losses and gains. Consequently, due to market influences, no assurance can be given that all stated objectives will be achieved.

United States AN INVESTMENT IN THE FUND IS SPECULATIVE AND INCLUDES A HIGH DEGREE OF RISK, INCLUDING THE RISK OF A TOTAL LOSS OF CAPITAL. INTERESTS IN THE FUND WILL BE ILLIQUID AND SUBJECT TO SIGNIFICANT RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER. PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS SHOULD BE AWARE THAT THEY MAY BE REQUIRED TO BEAR THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH SUCH INVESTMENT FOR AN INDEFINITE PERIOD OF TIME. A PRIVATE OFFERING OF INTERESTS IN THE FUND WILL ONLY BE MADE PURSUANT TO THE FUND'S PRODUCT DISCLOSURE STATEMENT (THE "PDS"), AND RELATED DOCUMENTATION FOR THE FUND, WHICH WILL BE FURNISHED TO QUALIFIED INVESTORS ON A CONFIDENTIAL BASIS AT THEIR REQUEST FOR THEIR CONSIDERATION IN CONNECTION WITH SUCH OFFERING, WHO SHOULD CAREFULLY REVIEW SUCH DOCUMENTS PRIOR TO MAKING AN INVESTMENT DECISION. ANY INVESTMENT DECISION WITH RESPECT TO SUCH INTERESTS MUST BE BASED SOLELY ON THE DEFINITIVE AND FINAL VERSIONS OF SUCH DOCUMENTS.

The information contained herein will be superseded by, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the PDS, which contains additional information about the investment objective, terms and conditions of an investment in the Fund and also contains tax information, information regarding conflicts of interest and risk disclosures that are important to any investment decision regarding the Fund. No person has been authorized to make any statement concerning the Fund other than as set forth in the PDS and any such statements, if made, may not be relied upon.

The information contained in this Report must be kept strictly confidential and may not be reproduced (in whole or in part) or redistributed in any format without the express written approval of AUSBIL INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT LIMITED (together with its affiliates, the "Firm"). Neither the Firm nor any of its affiliates makes any representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the accuracy or completeness of the information contained herein and nothing contained herein should be relied upon as a promise or representation as to past of future performance of the Fund or any other entity. Except where otherwise indicated herein, the information provided in this Report is based on matters as they exist as of the date of the document and not as of any future date, and will not be updated or otherwise revised to reflect information that subsequently becomes available, or circumstances existing or changes occurring after the date hereof.

This Report has not been approved by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority ("FINRA"), or any other regulatory authority or securities commission in the United States or elsewhere and does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of any offer to buy, any securities. This Report is not to be relied upon as investment, legal, tax, or financial advice. Any investor must consult with his or her independent professional advisors as to the investment, legal, tax, financial or other matters relevant to the suitability of an investment in the interests of the Fund. The reader is urged to read the sections in the PDS addressing risk factors, conflicts of interest and other relevant investment considerations. The Interests may not be transferred or resold except as permitted under the Securities Act and any applicable U.S. or non-U.S. securities laws.

The Interests have not been reviewed or approved by any U.S. federal, other U.S. or non-U.S. securities commission or regulatory authority. Interests are not and will not be insured by the U.S. Federal Deposit Insurance Company or any government agency, are not guaranteed by any bank and are subject to investment risks, including the loss of an investor's entire principal amount invested. Investors should be aware that they may be required to bear the financial risks of an investment in the Interests for an indefinite period of time because the Interests (i) cannot be sold unless they are subsequently registered under any and all applicable securities laws in the United States, or an exemption from registration exists and (ii) are subject to the restrictions on transfer contained in the offering document or limited partnership agreement of the Fund. The reader must comply with all applicable laws and regulations in any jurisdiction in which it subscribes for an investment; and the reader, by its acceptance of this report, agrees that the Firm and the Fund will not have any responsibility for the reader's compliance with such laws and regulations.

The Firm is registered as an investment adviser with the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission.

Certain information contained in this Report constitutes "forward-looking statements," which can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may," "will," "should," "expect," "anticipate," "target," "project," "estimate," "intend," "continue" or "believe," or the negatives thereof or other variations thereon or comparable terminology. Due to various uncertainties and risks, actual results and performance of the Fund may differ materially from those reflected or contemplated in such forward-looking statements

A short notice on the COVID-19 public health event, and how it can impact investments

Given the currently evolving issues around the Coronavirus (or Covid-19) globally, which has officially been designated a pandemic by the World Health Organisation, we wish to notify that, as with many firms, business may be disrupted. A public health crisis, pandemic, epidemic or outbreak of a contagious disease, such as the recent outbreak of Coronavirus (or Covid-19) in Australia, Italy, China, South Korea, the United States and other countries, could have an adverse impact on global, national and local economies, which in turn could negatively impact investment returns in any of Ausbil Investment Management Limited's registered managed investment schemes (the Funds). Disruptions to commercial activity relating to the imposition of quarantines or travel restrictions (or more generally, an inability on behalf of authorities to contain this pandemic) may adversely impact any investment, including by delaying or causing supply chain disruptions or by causing staffing shortages. The outbreak of Coronavirus has contributed to, and may continue to contribute to, volatility in financial markets. The impact of a public health crisis such as the Coronavirus (or any future pandemic, epidemic or outbreak of a contagious disease) is difficult to predict, which presents material uncertainty and risk with respect to any investment or fund performance.

Misunderstood Multiples

Amit Nath, Montaka Global Investments

September 2021

Funds operated by this manager:

Montaka Global 130/30 Fund, Montaka Global Fund, Montaka Global Long Only Fund

3 common features of inflation-proof businesses

Stephen Arnold, Aoris Investment Management

September 2021

Funds operated by this manager:

Aoris International Fund

If you'd like to receive Hedge Clippings direct to your inbox each Friday

JOIN OUR MAILING LIST

Why have investors become theme junkies?

Andrew Macken, Montaka Global Investments

October 2021

Funds operated by this manager:

Montaka Global 130/30 Fund, Montaka Global Fund, Montaka Global Long Only Fund