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9 Apr 2013 - Aurora Fortitude Absolute Return Fund

By: Australian Fund Monitors
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Report Date08 April 2013
ManagerAurora Funds Management
Fund NameAurora Fortitude Absolute Return Fund
StrategyEquity Market Neutral
Latest Return DateMarch 2013
Latest Return0.42%
Latest 6 Months1.36%
Latest 12 Months3.97%
Latest 24 Months7.85%
Annualised Since Inception8.11%
Inception Date15 February 2005
FUM (millions)AU$92
Fund OverviewAurora Fortitude Absolute Return Fund is a multi-strategy market neutral fund specialising in ASX listed equities and derivatives. The core philosophy is the management of risk through a long volatility overlay incorporating listed equity and index derivatives. The multi-strategy approach includes M&A, Yield, Convergence and Long/Short strategies. The portfolio managers adopt an aggressive approach to managing downside risk whilst positioning the portfolio to benefit from positive alpha.
Manager CommentsThe Aurora Fortitude Absolute Return Fund returned 0.42% for February 2013 and 3.97% for the prior 12 months, ahead of the RBA cash rate.

The S&P/ASX200 Accumulation Index finished down ‐2.21% in March putting an end to a nine month positive streak. Within the Aussie Index, Australian banks continued to perform relatively well and again it was resources that lead the market lower. Of note,both BHP and RIO fell by more than 10%. Concerns out of Cyprus, namely the treatment of bank deposits, and the possible ramifications for other debt ridden European economies forced risk back into the spotlight. Commodity price declines also weighed heavily on our market as lower demand lead to lower spot pricing.

The manager makes the following comments regarding each of the strategies; Convergence was the best performing strategy for the month (+0.26%). The Wesfarmers position was the biggest contributor again due to an increase in the value of the protection as the share price fell in line with the market.

Long/Short generated a loss for the month (‐0.10%). Gains from holding a long position in Treasury Wines were offset by losses from being long Newcrest Mining and Downer EDI.

Mergers and Acquisitions added +0.12% for the month. The best performers were Real Estate Capital Partners USA Property Trust and Challenger Infrastructure Fund.

The protective Options strategy was also a small detractor for the month (‐0.04%). Volatility around the Cyprus situation produced good returns, but as the market grew more comfortable with the situation and the Aussie market approached a four day holiday weekend option prices were marked down aggressively.

The Yield book provided a positive return of +0.17%. All hybrid instruments were positive for the month but the Macquarie Convertible Preference Security was the biggest contributor with only three months left to run until redemption or conversion, subject to some mandatory conversion conditions.

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