NEWS
Hedge Clippings, 22 September 2017
22 Sep 2017 - Australian Fund Monitors
Janet Yellen's comments put the chance of a rate rise in the US back on the agenda by Christmas, while the RBA all but rules out any further cuts...
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22 Sep 2017 - Hedge Clippings, 22 September 2017
By: Australian Fund Monitors
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Markets are once again focusing on the potential for a rate rise after Janet Yellen's comments flagging a US tightening later in the year, with 12 out of 16 of the Fed's members expecting a rise by December. However it should be remembered that rate rises have been on the cards for some years now, but each time the expectations have not been met with actions, with markets, hooked on QE, unable to accept the effects of withdrawal. This time it may be a little different as there does seem to be a gradual robustness in the US economy - with the accent on gradual, and robust being a relative term.
Coupled with those comments from the US, the Reserve Bank governor also came out with the seemingly obvious statement that interest rates in Australia were unlikely to fall from here, while also issuing a caveat that rate rises when (and it is when, not if) they occur are going to bite hard on those who have extended themselves to borrow for Australia's housing market.
Meanwhile Australian equity markets continue to go nowhere, which can't be pleasing the passive index following funds - or their investors. YTD in 2017 to the end of August the ASX200 has risen just 3.88% on an accumulation basis, compared with the S&P500 which is up around 12%. Actively managed equity funds have fared slightly better on average, up 4.98% year-to-date to the end of August, although as we always point out, averages can cover a multitude of individual performances, both good and bad. Whilst almost exactly 50% of funds in AFM's database have outperformed the ASX200 (and therefore by definition 50% have underperformed) almost 25% have posted year-to-date performances of 10% or more, with the best performing fund up 30% year-to-date.
Finally a matter closer to home: Today's report on CNBC that fine wine has provided the best luxury asset price growth (+ 25%) over the past 12 months. In the same report jewellery has been a poor investment by comparison, only rising 4%, while coloured diamonds (which luckily she has never quite understood the attraction of) have not appreciated at all. Possibly connected with the increase in wine prices was the statistic that Chinese ceramics had fallen by 12% over the past 12 months.
Hedge Clippings is sad to admit that fine and collectible wines do not feature in the domestic cellar as a result of impatience, and rarely on the wine list of any establishment we visit as a result of the disparity between the budget and the bill. However we will be happy to avoid future purchases of jewellery and coloured diamonds on the basis that they're no better as an investment than the ASX200!
Performance Report: Bennelong Twenty20 Australian Equities Fund
22 Sep 2017 - Australian Fund Monitors
The Bennelong Twenty20 Australian Equities Fund increased +1.01% in August, taking performance over the past 3 months to +1.74%.
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22 Sep 2017 - Performance Report: Bennelong Twenty20 Australian Equities Fund
By: Australian Fund Monitors
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| Fund Overview | The Fund is managed as one portfolio but comprises and combines two separately managed exposures: 1. An investment in the top 20 stocks of the markets, which the Fund achieves by taking an indexed position in the S&P/ASX 20 Index; and 2. An investment in the stocks beyond the S&P/ASX 20 Index. This exposure is managed on an active basis using a fundamental core approach. The Fund may also invest in securities expected to be listed on the ASX, securities listed or expected to be listed on other exchanges where such securities relate to ASX-listed securities.Derivative instruments may be used to replicate underlying positions and hedge market and company specific risks. The companies within the portfolio are primarily selected from, but not limited to, the S&P/ASX 300 Accumulation Index. The Fund typically holds between 40-55 stocks and thus is considered to be highly concentrated. This means that investors should expect to see high short-term volatility. The Fund seeks to achieve growth over the long-term, therefore the minimum suggested investment timeframe is 5 years. |
| Manager Comments | The Fund combines a passive investment in the ASX20 Index and an actively managed investment in Australian listed stocks outside this index. Currently, the Fund's passive position in the ASX20 Index has a weighting of 60%, thus the Fund's largest positions will typically dictate overall portfolio performance. Divergence in the performance of the Fund from the ASX300 will arise from relative performance of the Fund's active investment in ex-20 stocks. At the end of August, the Fund's weightings increased in the Consumer Staples, Health Care, Industrials and Materials sectors, while weightings were decreased in the Telco's, Utilities, Financials and REIT's sectors. |
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Performance Report: 4D Global Infrastructure Fund
22 Sep 2017 - Australian Fund Monitors
The Bennelong 4D Global Infrastructure Fund rose +2.63% in August, taking annualised performance since inception to +14.90%.
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22 Sep 2017 - Performance Report: 4D Global Infrastructure Fund
By: Australian Fund Monitors
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| Fund Overview | The fund will be managed as a single portfolio of listed global infrastructure securities including regulated utilities in gas, electricity and water, transport infrastructure such as airports, ports, road and rail as well as communication assets such as the towers and satellite sectors. The portfolio is intended to have exposure to both developed and emerging market opportunities, with country risk assessed internally before any investment is considered. The maximum absolute position of an individual stock is 7% of the fund. |
| Manager Comments | Top performers for the month include US tower operator SBA Communications (+11.6%), Mexican tower operator Telesites (+8.1%), Crown Castle (+7.8%) and Sydney Airport (+10%). The weakest performer in August was NZ fibre play Chorus (-10.3%). Bennelong believes Chorus remains undervalued, but that investors may need to wait for clarity on regulation before they realise their upside. The Fund continues to be overweight in user pays and underweight regulated utilities, however, given the rise in geopolitical tensions, the Fund retains a core holding in defensive names offering solid yields which should insulate on the downside. Bennelong has a positive outlook for global listed infrastructure over the medium term. The Fund's latest report notes that there has been a significant underinvestment in infrastructure around the world over the past 30 years and that public sector fiscal and debt constraints will limit governments' ability to respond, meaning that there will be an increasing need for private sector capital as part of the funding solution. Bennelong believes that new, improved and expanded infrastructure around the world will be compelled by the world's growing population which will be accompanied by an emerging middle class, particularly in Asia. |
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Performance Report: Collins St Value Fund
21 Sep 2017 - Australian Fund Monitors
The Collins St Value Fund rose +0.12% in August, taking performance over the past 3 months to +11.27%.
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21 Sep 2017 - Performance Report: Collins St Value Fund
By: Australian Fund Monitors
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| Fund Overview | The managers of the fund intend to maintain a concentrated portfolio of investments in ASX listed companies that they have investigated and consider to be undervalued. They will assess the attractiveness of potential investments using a number of common industry based measured, a proprietary in-house model and by speaking with management, industry experts and competitors. Once the managers form a view that an investment offers sufficient upside potential relative to the downside risk, the fund will seek to make an investment. If no appropriate investment can be identified the managers are prepared to hold cash and wait for the right opportunities to present themselves. |
| Manager Comments | Prime Media (PRT) is one company highlighted in the Fund's latest report. PRT was initially purchased at a discount to its discounted cash flows at 28 cents. Collins St believe that media reform legislation will have a material impact on the sector, with particular benefit to PRT, and anticipate significant consolidation in the industry now that many of the barriers have been removed. Collins St invest in a concentrated portfolio of quality ASX listed securities, yet continue to watch the broader index from a distance with a mix of fascination and scepticism. They also remain vigilant about the issues that may affect the Fund's holdings, and remain focused on the companies that they own for investors. It should also be noted that the Fund stands out as one of the few with zero management fees, charging performance fees only, enabling Collins St to only profit when investors do. |
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Fund Review: Bennelong Kardinia Absolute Return Fund August 2017
20 Sep 2017 - Australian Fund Monitors
Latest Fund Review for the Bennelong Kardinia Absolute Return Fund is now available.
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20 Sep 2017 - Fund Review: Bennelong Kardinia Absolute Return Fund August 2017
By: Australian Fund Monitors
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BENNELONG KARDINIA ABSOLUTE RETURN FUND
Attached is our most recently updated Fund Review. You are also able to view the Fund's Profile.
- The Fund is long biased, research driven, active equity long/short strategy investing in listed ASX companies with over ten-year track record.
- The Fund has significantly outperformed the ASX200 Accumulation Index since its inception in May 2006 and also has significantly lower risk KPIs. The Fund has an annualised return of 10.69% p.a. with a volatility of 7.04%, compared to the ASX200 Accumulation's return of 5.30% p.a. with a volatility of 13.72%.
- The Fund also has a strong focus on capital protection in negative markets. Portfolio Managers Mark Burgess and Kristiaan Rehder have significant market experience, while Bennelong Funds Management provide infrastructure, operational, compliance and distribution capabilities.
For further details on the Fund, please do not hesitate to contact us.
AFM Fund Review - August 2017 (pdf format)
Performance Report: Bennelong Kardinia Absolute Return Fund
20 Sep 2017 - Australian Fund Monitors
The Bennelong Kardinia Absolute Return Fund rose +0.34% in August, with strong profit results from several key holdings driving positive performance.
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20 Sep 2017 - Performance Report: Bennelong Kardinia Absolute Return Fund
By: Australian Fund Monitors
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| Fund Overview | The Fund's discretionary investment strategy commences with a macro view of the economy and direction to establish the portfolio's desired market exposure. Following this detailed sector and company research is gathered from knowledge of the individual stocks in the Fund's universe, with widespread use of broker research. Company visits, presentations and discussions with management at CEO and CFO level are used wherever possible to assess management quality across a range of criteria. Detailed analysis of company valuations using financial statements and forecasts, particularly focusing on free cash flow, is conducted. Technical analysis is used to validate the Manager's fundamental research and valuations and to manage market timing. A significant portion of the Fund's overall performance can be attributed to the attention and importance given to the macro economic outlook and the ability and willingness to adjust the Fund's market risk. |
| Manager Comments | Positive positions included Costa Group (+0.22%), BHP (+0.17%), Rio Tinto (+0.17%) and Orora (+0.17%). The Fund's short book also performed well, with Telstra, Scentre Group and Westfield all making solid contributions. Negative performers included Bluescope Steel (-0.5%), Commonwealth Bank (-0.23%), JB Hi-Fi (-0.17%) and Boral (-0.13%). The Fund's net market exposure, including derivatives, fell from 60.4% to 35.8% (41.2% long and 5.4% short) as the Manager sold the Fund's holdings in CBA and Bluescope Steel, and reduced its position size in a number of other stocks, including the major banks. |
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Performance Report: KIS Asia Long Short Fund
19 Sep 2017 - Australian Fund Monitors
The KIS Asia Long Short Fund rose +1.08% in August, taking annualised performance since inception to +13.68%.
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19 Sep 2017 - Performance Report: KIS Asia Long Short Fund
By: Australian Fund Monitors
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| Fund Overview | Whilst the Fund's primary strategy is focused on long/short equities, the ability to retain discretionary powers to allocate across a number of other investment strategies is reserved. These strategies may include, but not be limited to: convertible bond investments, portfolio hedging, equity related arbitrage, special situations (e.g. merger arbitrage, rights offerings, participation in international public offerings and placements, etc.). The Fund's geographic focus is Asia excluding Japan, but including Australia). The Fund may invest outside of this region to the extent that: 1. The investment decision is driven from the Asian region or; 2. The exposure is intended to mitigate risk or enhance return from factors external to the Asian region. |
| Manager Comments | The Manager's report noted that they were careful about positioning going into reporting season, with a keen eye to ensure that the exposures they carried were not consensus trades. Stock picking on the long side in the mid and small cap sectors drove returns for the month, with positive contributors including a long position in Alumina Ltd (+0.23%), a short in Automotive Holdings Group (+0.22%) and a long in Altium Ltd (+0.29%). Two of the Fund's biggest losers were short positions in Incitec Pivot Ltd (-0.12%) and Amaysim Australia Ltd (-0.18%), while the largest loss came from a long position in QBE Insurance Group Ltd (-0.28%). |
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Bennelong Twenty20 Australian Equities Fund August 2017
15 Sep 2017 - Australian Fund Monitors
Latest Fund Review on Bennelong Twenty20 Australian Equities Fund is now available.
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15 Sep 2017 - Bennelong Twenty20 Australian Equities Fund August 2017
By: Australian Fund Monitors
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BENNELONG TWENTY20 AUSTRALIAN EQUITIES FUND
Attached is our most recently updated Fund Review on the Bennelong Twenty20 Australian Equities Fund.
- The Bennelong Twenty20 Australian Equities Fund invests in ASX listed stocks, combining an indexed position in the Top 20 stocks with an actively managed portfolio of stocks outside the Top 20. Construction of the ex-top 20 portfolio is fundamental, bottom-up, core investment style, biased to quality stocks, with a structured risk management approach.
- Mark East, the Fund's Chief Investment Officer, and Keith Kwang, Director of Quantitative Research have over 50 years combined market experience. Bennelong Funds Management (BFM) provides the investment manager, Bennelong Australian Equity Partners (BAEP) with infrastructure, operational, compliance and distribution services.
For further details on the Fund, please do not hesitate to contact us.
AFM Fund Review August 2017 (pdf format)
Performance Report: Cyan C3G Fund
15 Sep 2017 - Australian Fund Monitors
Cyan's CG3 Fund delivers 3.6% in August benefiting from reporting season while avoiding the pitfalls...
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15 Sep 2017 - Performance Report: Cyan C3G Fund
By: Australian Fund Monitors
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| Fund Overview | Cyan C3G Fund is based on the investment philosophy which can be defined as a comprehensive, clear and considered process focused on delivering growth. These are identified through stringent filter criteria and a rigorous research process. The Manager uses a proprietary stock filter in order to eliminate a large proportion of investments due to both internal characteristics (such as gearing levels or cash flow) and external characteristics (such as exposure to commodity prices or customer concentration). Typically, the Fund looks for businesses that are one or more of: a) under researched, b) fundamentally undervalued, c) have a catalyst for re-rating. The Manager seeks to achieve this investment outcome by actively managing a portfolio of Australian listed securities. When the opportunity to invest in suitable securities cannot be found, the manager may reduce the level of equities exposure and accumulate a defensive cash position. Whilst it is the company's intention, there is no guarantee that any distributions or returns will be declared, or that if declared, the amount of any returns will remain constant or increase over time. The Fund does not invest in derivatives and does not use debt to leverage the Fund's performance. However, companies in which the Fund invests may be leveraged. |
| Manager Comments | The August result was also well ahead of both the 0.8% gain in the ASX All Ordinaries Accumulation Index and the 1.7% delivered by the ASX Small Industrials Accumulation Index. Importantly, it was delivered through an earnings season when most (if not all) of the Fund's return was driven by holdings reporting impressive business performance. Commenting on the market performance in August Cyan noted the fall in the very widely-held Telstra (that the Fund does not and has never owned), which plummeted 15% from its intra-month highs after cutting its dividend. TLS now finds itself trading at a 5 year low, 45% below recent highs in July 2015 highlighting the manager's view that large ASX listed companies are not necessarily defensive. At month's end the Fund's cash weighting was 37%, with 24 individual holdings and no position accounting for more than 7% of the total Fund. The companies span 6 broad industry sectors including: consumer staples and discretionary; industrials; health care; technology and financials with a weighted average market cap of approximately $300m. |
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NWQ Fiduciary Fund
13 Sep 2017 - Australian Fund Monitors
The NWQ Fiduciary Fund saw a high level of variation in manager returns in August, resulting in a small decline of -0.13%.
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13 Sep 2017 - NWQ Fiduciary Fund
By: Australian Fund Monitors
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| Fund Overview | The Fund aims to produce returns, after management fees and expenses of between 8% to 11% p.a. over rolling five-year periods. Furthermore, the Fund aims to achieve these returns with volatility that is a fraction of the Australian equity market, in order to smooth returns for investors. |
| Manager Comments | The Fund's beta managers posted robust returns, this was driven by the high conviction stock positions of most of these managers. The Fund's holdings in cash and fixed income was reduced to 5% from 7.5% in July, while the Fund's allocation to its alpha managers increased to 70% from 67.5%. |
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