OPTIMAL AUSTRALIA ABSOLUTE FUND

Attached is our most recently updated Fund Review on the Optimal Australia Absolute Fund.  

We would like to highlight the following aspects of the Fund:

• Optimal Australia is a specialist Australian equity investment manager established in 2008.
• The Fund's long/short equity strategy portfolio typically has a low but variable net market exposure comprising 40 to 65 stock broadly selected from within the ASX200.
• The investment team comprising George Colman, Peter Whiting and Stephen Nicholls have close to 90 years combined experience in equity markets.
• Consistent out-performance of the market: Approximately 84 % of monthly performances have been positive with a largest drawdown of -1.38%.

Research and Database Manager
Australian Fund Monitors

ATTACHED FILESOptimal Australia Absolute Trust AFM Review - May 2013 (pdf format)

Last week we suggested that given the outlook for the local currency, Australian investors would be well served by including some offshore exposure to their portfolios as protection against further falls in the A$. With various economists now calling the Aussie down to US$0.80 this may well be the way to go.  Certainly there seems to be an exodus of offshore investors from the equity market (where they constitute 47% total value) after the inflows of the past 12 months, which has further undermined the currency and the market.

In any event, local funds which invest offshore benefitted significantly (provided they weren't hedged) from the A$'s fall of over 7% in May, with strong double digit returns from the likes of PM Capital and Magellan amongst others.  On the local front returns have been varied as usual depending on the manager, fund or strategy.  Some of this week's reported highlights are featured below.

Last Monday we wrote an article for Alan Kohler's Eureka Report entitled "In defence of Hedge Funds" to counter some negative comments on the sector in Ian Verrender's article "The thin edge of the hedge wedge". Ian suggested that after fees investors might find it simpler and cheaper to merely purchase an index fund - in other words, just buy the market.

The thrust of our response was that given the diverse range of underlying assets and strategies which combine to make up the "hedge fund" sector, averages can be both dangerous and misleading, as can results of average returns.

But it did cause us to delve into the returns (after fees) of all funds in our database with a five year track record, and compare them against the market (using the ASX200 accumulation index as the benchmark).  For the record, over the five years to the end of May, the market provided investors with an annualised return of 3.07%. Therefore, in one way Ian was correct: 37% of the 145 funds underperformed the market, and 15% underperformed to the extent they provided negative returns.

On the positive side, 63% of funds outperformed the market, and therefore presumably justified their existence up to a point. However given that the markets return of 3.07% is not what we would call acceptable, particularly given the risk and volatility concerned, that might not be saying much.

But 41% of all funds doubled the market's return, and 27 (or 18%) provided their investors with annualised five year returns ranging between 10 and 19%, which by any standard is impressive. The chart showing the spread of returns is below:

It does however emphasise that analysis and understanding of the strategy, manager and fund is essential when discussing hedge funds - as it is when investing in them.

Performance and News Updates on www.fundmonitors.com this week:

BlackRock Global Allocation Fund returned 2.04% in April, in line with its benchmark, and 14.10% over the preceding 12 months. The team continues to believe that equity valuations remain attractive relative to fixed income valuations, though the Manager has become incrementally more cautious over the short-term given increasing stock prices, weaker revenue expectations and uncertainty in Europe.

The Bennelong Long Short Equity Fund had a remarkable May delivering 9.49%, bringing its twelve month performance to 19.89%. The portfolio benefitted from a pleasing month, with both the long and short portfolios contributing positively.

Bennelong Kardinia Absolute Return Fund delivered 0.4% during May.  The twelve month return now stands at 18.46%.  The Fund's net equity market exposure, including derivatives was reduced to 31.3% (47.5% long and 16.2% short).

The K2 Asian Absolute Return Fund returned 2.38% during April to bring twelve month performance to 33.82%.  The Fund's net exposure band has been maintained at 80-100%, ending the month at 96%, marginally lower than April. Increasing volatility in recent weeks, together with seasonal weakness justified a wider trading band of the Fund's net exposure.

And finally, for something completely different, The Swear Jar, probably something every office needs.  Ours certainly does!!

On that note, I hope you have a happy and healthy weekend, or in Australia, a long weekend (all except Western Australia who will be celebrating the Queens birthday in September).

Regards,

Chris
CEO, AUSTRALIAN FUND MONITORS

Connect with me on LinkedIn Twitter Facebook

BENNELONG LONG SHORT EQUITY FUND

Attached is our most recently updated Fund Review on the Bennelong Long Short Equity Fund.  

We would like to highlight the following aspects of the Fund:

• Research driven, market and sector neutral, "pairs" trading strategy investing primarily in large cap stocks from the ASX/S&P100 Index, with a ten year track record and annualised net returns of over 20% .
• Portfolio Manager Richard Fish has over 25 years market experience, while Bennelong Funds Management, who have over $3 billion in FUM across various funds, provide infrastructure, operational and compliance functions.
• The Fund's Investment history commenced in January 2002 and has positive annual returns each year, including an 11.95% return in 2008 and 20.6% in 2011, both of which were negative years for the ASX200.
• Consistent returns across the investment history indicates the Fund's ability to provide positive returns in volatile and negative markets and significantly outperform the broader market.

Sean Webster

Research and Database Manager
Australian Fund Monitors

ATTACHED FILESFund Review: Bennelong Long Short Equity Fund (pdf format)

Sell in May and go away? That all depends where you're going.

With just one trading day to go, May has been an interesting month. The sharp contrast between the fall in the ASX200 of -4.33%, and the S&P500's gain of 4.08% is a significant differential of 8.41%.

Although the overall fall on the ASX200 has been significant (although smaller than May 2012 when it fell over 7%) the variance between sectors will also make a big difference to this month's fund and strategy performances.

The contrast will be even more glaring when comparing returns between funds investing in Australia, and those with offshore or global mandates.  Partly or un-hedged international funds will benefit from the decline in the A$ of 6.7% during May from US$1.036 to US$0.967 which pushes the return on the S&P500 in $A terms to 11.15%. This brings the potential difference in returns between local and un-hedged US equities to 15.48%.

This raises two points of interest. Firstly the volatility of monthly returns recorded by the ASX over the past 12 months, with moves ranging between +5.37% and -4.43%. 

Secondly and looking forward, is the outlook of the ASX and the A$ given the deterioration in sentiment.  Most Australian  investors, both individual and institutional, have a strong bias to domestic  rather than global equities which has worked well until 2008.

However with local interest rates forecast to fall further, the A$ is expected to have further to fall, and the earnings outlook for the domestic market is deteriorating on the back of contraction in the mining sector. Meanwhile the medium outlook for consumer related companies has deteriorated, even if the yield argument may keep the (expensive) banks, Telco's and REITS supported.

While offshore markets in each geography have their own problems they may be further into a recovery at a time that Australia is moving into a slower growth situation. In this environment, investors may need to consider their asset and strategy allocation as the long only and index funds which have performed so well over the past year make way for more risk averse investments, or include the option of funds with offshore exposure.

Performance and News Updates on www.fundmonitors.com this week:

The BlackRock Multi Opportunity Fund had a sound April, returning 1.69% and 10.86% over the last 12 months.  Their latest Fund Review is available here.

SGH Ice Fund, a small cap manager, delivered 2.57% during April and 28.53% over the preceding 12 months. 

Mathews Capital Velocity Fund redemptions have been frozen for 12 months. Perpetual Trust Services, the responsible entity of the Velocity Fund has advised investors that the fund has become "non- liquid" and that redemptions will be suspended for up to nine months.

And finally, for something completely different, a funny look at insurance company decision making policy.

On that note, I hope you have a happy and healthy weekend!

Regards,

Chris
CEO, AUSTRALIAN FUND MONITORS

Connect with me on LinkedIn Twitter Facebook

Skating on thin ice:

My old friend Patto was the master of market sayings which became known to those who followed him as "Pattoisms". One of his favourites was "when skating on thin ice, the speed at which one has to skate is directly proportional to the thickness of the ice."

Markets have seemed a bit like that this week. In the US the ice appears to be very thin every time Ben Bernanke goes off cue and suggests that QE might end at some stage. The ice in China appears thin whenever the numbers indicate growth might slow below 7%. And in Australia it seems that without the mining and resources sector, we are skating on thin ice as significant parts of the rest of the economy (manufacturing, retail) are struggling.

Over the past couple of weeks the ice actually cracked under those companies whose earnings are reliant on the mining sector.  In the last couple of days it seems that even the yield driven rotation into the banks might also be on thin ice.

April Fund Performance:

Close to 90% of single funds have now reported April results as follows:

From a Strategy perspective the best performances are:

Performance and News Updates on www.fundmonitors.com this week:

The BlackRock Australian Equity Market Neutral Fund had a sound April returning 2.18%, bringing its 12 month return to 8.71%. The portfolio benefitted from the resource under performance due to a tilt toward producers versus explorers, with significant contribution coming from short positions in Kingsgate Consolidated, Newcrest Mining and Oz Minerals, amongst others. The yield theme also proved profitable via our exposure to property trusts and telecoms.  

Pengana Australian Equities Market Neutral Fund delivered -0.9% for April and has an annualised return of 8.82% since inception in September 2008. Two of the largest long positions in April were BC Iron and Skilled Group, while two of the largest short positions were Macquarie Atlas Roads Group and AWE.

The 8IP Asia Pacific Partners Fund delivered -1.17% during April bringing its six month performance to 21.57%.  After five months of strong gains, a number of stocks in the Fund ran into profit taking. Largest sector exposures were financials, real estate and consumer discretionary.

Allard Investment Fund recorded 0.80% over April with it's since inception (July 2003) performance at 8.49% pa. At end-April the asset breakdown was 68.6% equities and 31.4% cash and fixed income. The geographic breakdown was HK/China 32.1%, Sing 12.4% and Korea 9.3% with other countries at lower percentages.

The Pengana Asia Special Events (Onshore) Fund returned 1.31% during April and had a twelve month return of 8.23%. The Fund maintained an average net and gross exposure of 16% and 164% respectively. Largest month end net exposures were China, Japan and Indonesia and biggest gross exposure by strategy was Merger and Acquisitions. April was very eventful led by a significant pick up in M&A activity and the earnings seasons in some markets. Japan was the most active M&A market in Asia, accounting for 6 of the 14 new deals during the month.

And finally, for something completely different, the latest Evian commerical, also featured on Alan Kohler's Eureka report (if you are not a subscriber, I recommend it) last week.

On that note, I hope you have a happy and healthy weekend!

Budget week finally confirmed what most already knew: Australia was not going to be in, or return to, surplus any time soon, irrespective of any change in government in September. Treasury's earlier revenue estimates were far too optimistic, and some (in particular from the mining and carbon tax) have simply not materialised as anticipated by the government.

Coincidentally or not with the confirmation of the federal deficit, the A$ came under pressure as the combined effects of lower rates (down 25 bps to 2.75%), a reduced outlook for resources, and the reality of a mid to long term budget deficit added to the effects of a strengthening US currency.

The current government delivered a strategic budget which promised large social programs such as the disability pension scheme and education reform, cleverly boxing in the opposition and making it difficult for them to abandon them if, or when they assume power.

As previously telegraphed the budget included the gradual increase of the superannuation guarantee levy from the current 9 to 12%, which the opposition promptly announced would be delayed or deferred on their watch. One interesting twist in the ongoing progress or otherwise of reform of the superannuation system was the opposition's successful amendment this week requiring at least one third of industry superannuation fund trustees to be independent.

The current equal representation model requires industry super funds to appoint half their trustees from union representatives and the other half from employer representatives.  Although the Cooper Review recommended that a lack of independent trustees was no longer appropriate, the government chose not to include the changes in the legislation.

The twist came not so much that the amendment was proposed, and passed 72 to 68, but in the fact that the independent MP's voted against a proposal favoring independence, and that it appears four government MP's, including two ministers and a government whip, either abstained, or were absent.

Given the importance and value of the superannuation system it seems incongruous that industry super funds are not subject to the same or similar governance and transparency regime as corporate Australia.

The Bloomberg saga:

While on the subject of governance and transparency, Bloomberg the global leader in financial information with over 300,000 terminals installed, was (or should be) severely embarrassed.  It was revealed this week that Bloomberg has been engaging in a case of "big brother" by enabling their journalists to be able to track who, what and where the terminals were being used, and what was being viewed.

While we haven't yet read of actual cases where the information gleaned has been misused, the potential for misuse (given that each terminal is usually registered to an individual user) is massive, and Bloomberg will no doubt be scrambling to protect their reputation in dealing rooms around the globe, just as users will be demanding changes to the terms of their agreements.  

Performance and News Updates on www.fundmonitors.com this week:

The Monash Absolute Investment Fund returned 1.13% during April, a month of extreme moves on the ASX with Small Cap Resources falling 19% and the top industrials rising 4.7%. At month-end Fund net exposure was 67%.  

Insync Global Titans Fund returned 1.63% for April with the biggest positive contributors coming from a range of stocks including Sanofi, Coach, Roche and Walt Disney.  Average mkt cap of stocks in the portfolio is $A 99.1bn with a weighted average forecast dividend yield of 2.90%. The fund is currently un-hedged. We also released the latest Fund Insync Review for April 2013, which you may read here.

The Pengana Australian Equities Fund had a strong April returning 3.51% bringing its 12 month return to 25.91%. Cash exposure at end April was 29%.

Morphic Global Opportunities Fund had a sound April returning 2.80% with top stock contributors coming mostly from Japan. Performance since inception in August 2012 is now 20.53%. The Fund is fully un-hedged, you can read the most recent Morphic Fund Review here.

The Auscap Long Short Australian Equities Fund had a very strong month, recording 9.83% during April. A major contributor to performance was shorting gold stocks which provided the Fund with a 2.8% return.

And finally, for something completely different, a funny clip on how frustrating it could be to teach a child how to tell the time, almost as frustrating as teaching my wife how to fix her computer.

On that note, I hope you have a happy and healthy weekend!

Regards,

Chris
CEO, AUSTRALIAN FUND MONITORS

Connect with me on LinkedIn Twitter Facebook

Based on 31% of single funds' results reported to date, AFM's index of absolute return and hedge funds returned 2.19% in April, to take year to date performance to +6.15%, and 12 month performance to 9.89%. Equity based funds have outperformed the broader average, up 2.27% in April, 7.41% YTD, and 12.22% over the past 12 months. 

By comparison, the ASX200 accumulation index rose 4.54% in April, 12.99% YTD and 23.58% over 12 months. 

As far as spread, or range of returns is concerned, the sector returns of the ASX provided some clue as to fund returns, particularly those focusing on the resources, and more specifically the small resources sector. The ASX Smallcap Resources Accumulation Index fell for the seventh consecutive month, with a fall of 20% in April alone, its third largest fall since inception in 1995 with gold stocks particularly affected.

As a result, the spread of fund returns for the month was wider than usual, ranging from -22% through to +22%, although 90% of results to date have been positive. The performance spread over the past year also ranges widely, from -57% through to +58%, again reinforcing the importance of strategy and fund selection. Full details are available on our index pages.

Next Tuesday sees the handing down of the federal budget, the last in the term of this parliament, and the last prior to the election in September. The Prime Minister and Treasurer have both been at pains to prepare everyone for bad news and a significant deficit, having been equally strident until comparatively recently that everything in the garden was rosy.  With apologies to Abraham Lincoln, "you can fool all of the people some of the time, some of the people all of the time, but you can't fool yourself forever".

So while the pain has been flagged, the medicine has yet to be prescribed. What is interesting is that short of a miracle, neither the PM or Treasurer will be around to administer the dosage.

Meanwhile yesterday the (current) Minister for Superannuation, Bill Shorten announced his plan to establish a Council of Superannuation Custodians with the intention it would oversee a "Charter of Superannuation Adequacy and Sustainability". That all sounds well and good, but where was the Council over the past 5 years as the rules affecting Super have been chopped and changed with monotonous regularity?

Performance and News Updates on www.fundmonitors.com this week:

The Bennelong Kardinia Absolute Return Fund recorded 1.34% for April 2013 bringing since inception (May 2006) performance to 14.47% pa.  We also released the latest Fund Review for April 2013, which you may read here.

Platinum Japan Fund had an exceptional April 2013 with a performance of 13.75%, well ahead of its benchmark and bringing the six month return to 45.83%.

The Bennelong Long Short Equity Fund had a flat month in April 2013 recording a return of 0.01% bringing their since inception return (January 2003) to 20.16%.  Their most recent Fund Review for April 2013, is here.

Aurora Fortitude Absolute Return Fund had a sound April 2013 with a return of 1.68% bringing the twelve month return to 5.24%. The Fund's volatility is notable at 2.84% annualised since inception.

The CSAG Long Only Program delivered -0.16% for the month and -4.39% for the year to end March 2013.

Continuing our successful Meet the Manager presentation series, on Thursday 16 May, AFM is holding a city lunch time briefing featuring Jack Lowenstein from Morphic Asset Management. The Morphic Global Opportunities Fund is a global equity long/short manager with a macro-economic overlay. The Fund's portfolio construction has a long bias and favours value based and momentum strategies, with a strong emphasis on risk management. If you would like to join us for the presentation, please reply to this email.

And finally, for something completely different, short and sweet this week.

On that note, I hope you have a happy and healthy weekend!

Regards,

Chris
CEO, AUSTRALIAN FUND MONITORS

BENNELONG KARDINIA ABSOLUTE RETURN FUND

Attached is our most recently updated Fund Review on the Bennelong Kardinia Absolute Return Fund.  

We would like to highlight the following aspects of the Fund:

• Kardinia is a boutique Australian based Fund Manager established in August 2011 in conjunction with the Bennelong Group to continue the management of the Herschel Absolute Return Fund.
• Long biased, research driven, active equity long/short strategy investing in listed ASX companies with a six year track record and an annualised return of 14% net of fees.
• Portfolio Managers Mark Burgess and Kristiaan Rehder have significant market experience, while the Bennelong Group provide infrastructure, operational, compliance and distribution capabilities.
• Consistent top decile long short equity sector performance. Key Performance and Risk Statistics indicate an attractive risk/reward profile, and a strong focus on capital protection in negative markets.

Sean Webster

Research and Database Manager
Australian Fund Monitors

ATTACHED FILESFund Review: Bennelong Kardinia Absolute Return Fund (pdf format)

News article from Investor Daily today is a worthwhile read.

The implication of this is potentially significant for Australia's absolute return and hedge funds sector - assuming they qualify under the SIV rules, and assuming they are sufficiently well organised to market to the UHNW Chinese market.

There still appears to be some question marks around the use of derivatives which might make qualifying difficult for many hedge funds, and the sector has never had the benefit of an industry wide marketing or communications plan which it needs.

Read the entire article here.

Further details of the new MySuper rules emerged this week, even if drowned out somewhat by other announcements from Canberra. However in principal the thrust of MySuper is admirable, if the stated objectives are achieved:

• creation of a simple, low cost default superannuation product
• cheaper and easier processing of transactions, and
• strengthen the governance, integrity and regulatory settings of the superannuation system, including SMSF's.

Anything that simplifies Super, or creates a lower cost structure, particularly for super accounts with lower balances, is to be applauded. In this regard, the push for more transparency can only assist. However the risk is that the focus falls more on the fee structure than the actual risk adjusted returns after fees.

While it is easy to point to high fees as a destroyer of an investment's value, performance has a far greater effect, particularly in negative markets. Hopefully the new MySuper transparency and reporting regime will recognise this.

Elsewhere, we noticed a good article in InvestorDaily quoting Pengana's CEO Russel Pillemer, who (correctly in our view) points to the flawed logic of placing many hedge and absolute return funds into the "alternatives" bucket. All too often anything that can't be categorised easily ends up as an alternative, with no real analysis of its return profile or correlation to other asset classes.

Russel's suggestion is to allocate to a category called "uncorrelated", as that is what most investors are seeking from a true alternative investment. In our opinion, the majority of equity long/short strategies might then more correctly fit in the equities bucket, or at least active equities.

At the end of the day simply having a low correlation to equities doesn't really work 100% of the time. What investors want, or need, is an asymmetric return profile where the fund captures the market's upside (a high up capture ratio) and avoids the downside (a low downside capture ratio).

Easier said than done in a single fund, and not always easy when constructing a portfolio, but worth the effort. 

Performance and News Updates on www.fundmonitors.com this week:

The Pengana Australian Equities Market Neutral Fund had a good March 2013 returning 3.2% bringing it's since inception (September 2008) return to 9.21% pa with a zero correlation to the market of -0.02.

BlackRock Multi Opportunity Fund had a sound March 2013 with a return of 1.09% and a twelve month return of 9.70% with positive returns in each of the 3 months of the quarter.

The Pengana Asia Special Events (Onshore) Fund returned 0.83% for March 2013 and 3.28% for the quarter to end-March.  Notably the Fund has a volatility of 6.7% as compared to its benchmark volatility of 17.8% (since inception).

Pengana Australian Equities Fund had a flat March with a return of 0.0% but strong 12 and 24 month returns, delivering 22.5% and 33.06% respectively to the end of March 2013. At month-end cash (including notes and preference shares) represented 32% of the Fund.

The K2 Australian Absolute Return Fund had a strong April 2013 delivering 4.54% with its annual return to the end of April, 23.99%.

Continuing our successful Meet the Manager presentation series, on Thursday 16 May, AFM is holding a city lunch time briefing featuring Jack Lowenstein from Morphic Asset Management. The Morphic Global Opportunities Fund is a global equity long/short manager with a macro-economic overlay. The Fund's portfolio construction has a long bias and favours value based and momentum strategies, with a strong emphasis on risk management. If you would like to join us for the presentation, please reply to this email.

And finally, for something completely different, we bring you a short clip from Cancer Council NSW on Relay for Life.  This weekend our Administration Manager Alexis will be camping out and walking for 24 hours out at the Sutherland Shire Relay and we support her in this worthy cause.  

On that note, I hope you have a happy and healthy weekend!

Regards,

Chris Gosselin
CEO, AUSTRALIAN FUND MONITORS