With equity markets continuing to power ahead, as shown by the ASX200 adding 3.97% in October, and 25.5% over the past 12 months, and the S&P500 doing even better at 4.6% and 27.2% respectively, there is no surprise that, even before we see fund performances for October appearing, equity-based strategies, and particularly 130/30 and equity long, have been significant beneficiaries.
The S&P 500 of course is at all-time highs, whereas the ASX 200, although at post 2007 highs, still has some way to go. The challenge for markets from here will be for actual 2014 earnings to match the forward earnings estimates and of course to survive the effects of QE tapering when that eventually takes place.
Meanwhile there were some notable awards for Australian fund managers at the recent AsiaHedge Awards held in Hong Kong last week. Platinum Asset Management took out the 2013 Management Firm of the Year award, while PM Capital's Absolute Performance Fund won the Global Equity category, and LHC Capital's Australian High Conviction Fund won the Single Country award.
For the record PM Capital's Absolute Performance Fund returned 59.94% for the 12 months to the end of September with a Sharpe ratio of 3.22, while the LHC Capital High Conviction Fund returned 45.03% with a Sharpe ratio of 3.66%.
Platinum's funds have been no less impressive. For example the Platinum Japan Fund provided twelve-month returns of 69%, while their flagship Platinum International Fund which has $8.7 billion in FUM rose 40.21% over the same period.
Congratulations to all concerned!
Specific results received this week include the following PERFORMANCE and NEWS UPDATES:
The Totus Alpha Fund returned 6.48% during September bringing the annual performance to 32.2% (ASX 200 Accum 24.2%). The Fund had a significant positive contribution from a small cap long position in the mobile payments space that was up strongly during September. The Manager trimmed the position slightly for risk management purposes but remain upbeat about the company's prospects over the medium term. There have been a number of notable success stories in this space in the USA and the investment is an early mover in the Australian market.
Since inception in July 2004 the BlackRock Multi Opportunity Fund has returned 8.65% pa with low volatility of 4.18%. The comparative numbers for the ASX 200 Accumulation Index are 9.07% and 14.01% indicating the Fund's risk controls. During September the Fund returned -0.17%. The Fund's absolute return mandate is shown by the maximum draw-down of 9.45% and 80 % positive months as compared to the Index of draw-down of 47.19% and 65% positive months.
The Aurora Fortitude Absolute Return Fund recorded 6.28% over the last 12 months with a volatility of only 1.82%. During September the Fund returned 0.53%. Within the Fund, the Convergence strategy was the largest positive contributor for the month +0.26%. The main driver was the Wesfarmers Partially Protected shares against the underlying Wesfarmers shares. The Long / Short strategy, whilst not generally a large part of the Fund's exposure, was profitable (+0.12%) while the Mergers and Acquisitions strategy also performed well (+0.19%). The Options portfolio was a large drawdown on the monthly return (-0.20%) as realisable volatility remained low despite the potential political and global macro catalysts.
Pengana's Australian Equities Market Neutral Fund has returned 9.4% pa (ASX 200 Acc 5.00% pa) since inception (Sept 2008) with an annualised standard deviation of 7.97% pa (15.37%). The Fund recorded -0.2% in September. The Fund's lower risk is indicated by a downside deviation of 4.96% and largest draw-down of 13.47% as compared to 11.57% and 33.11% for the Index respectively.
The Cor Capital Fund has returned 6.00% pa since inception (August 2012) with a volatility of 6.64%. The September return was -1.49%. Over the last quarter all the Fund's asset classes of equities, gold, fixed interest and cash delivered positive returns for total return of 5.36%.
The Manager notes that the Fund is currently earning about 4 per cent on portfolio cash. The Fund's fixed interest investments were slightly positive on a total return basis over the quarter as US long-term bond yields moved higher. Whether that continues due to a possible 'tapering' of Fed buying or because investors are becoming concerned about the absolute size of buying (government borrowing) will become clearer over time.
Allard's Investment Fund has returned 8.8% pa over the last five years with a volatility of 9.09% as compared to the ASX 200 Accumulation comparative data of 7.29% and 14.78%. The September return was -0.1%. The Fund's low risk exposure to Asia equities is shown by the largest draw-down of -18.29% and a downside deviation of 5.5% with the Index comparative data of -47.19% and 9.97%.
At end-September the geographic breakdown was HK/China 32.6%, Singapore 13.3% and Korea 9.2%. Cash and Fixed Income holdings were 31.5%. The industry breakdown was Financial Services 13.8%, Conglomerates 12.4% and Telco's at 8.7%.
Hedgeopolis New York is being held on 4 November at the Metropolitan Club. Use AFM's discount code "fundmo" to obtain a discount, or contact Adriana Costov for additional information.
Back in Hong Kong, the 26th Annual AVCJ Private Equity and Venture Form is at the Four Seasons Hotel from 12-14 November 2013.
IPARM Australia 2013 is being held in Sydney on 18-19 November on Investment Performance Measurement Attribution and Risk. Speakers include Dr Thomas Gillespie from Aurora Funds Management.
Also on 19 November, at the Renaissance Hotel in Hong Kong - the Art of Asset Management - free for senior asset management professionals from both global and local asset management firms. View the agenda here.
We lost another great rocker this week, so we tribue this week's "and now for something completely different" to Lou Reed and Take a walk on the wild side, this particular clip from Farm Aid 1985.
On that note, enjoy the week-end!
Regards,
Chris
CEO, AUSTRALIAN FUND MONITORS
