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Printed: 20 September 2026 5:12 PM

16 Sep 2014 - Aurora Fortitude Absolute Return Fund

By: Australian Fund Monitors
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Report Date15 September 2014
ManagerAurora Funds Management
Fund NameAurora Fortitude Absolute Return Fund
StrategyEquity Market Neutral
Latest Return DateAugust 2014
Latest Return0.30%
Latest 6 Months0.50%
Latest 12 Months3.56%
Latest 24 Months9.85%
Annualised Since Inception7.73%
Inception Date15 February 2005
FUM (millions)AU$217
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.

The Fund aims to produce positive returns irrespective of the direction of the share market. For each investment the manager considers the risk, the timeline of that risk occurring and then the potential return. Low transaction costs and liquidity are other important factors in the success and implementation of the strategies.
Manager CommentsAurora Fortitude Absolute Return Fund returned 0.30% during August and 3.56% over the previous 12 months with a very low volatility of 0.96%.

Reserve Bank Governor, Glenn Stevens, commented during the month that
"Volatility in many financial prices is currently unusually low" and this seems to heavily discount any possibility of interest rate rises or "other unforeseen event". This is a thematic that we have commented on a number of times in recent months as we strive to hedge our portfolio consistently using a strategy that relies on a degree of volatility and market uncertainty. We believe that it is the most appropriate strategy for the portfolio over the investment cycle, but particularly in the current environment where, as Governor Stevens highlights, a large portion of investors seem to be comfortable with current risk levels.

The Fund returned +0.30%, and as is often the case during reporting season Options Protection delivered the bulk of these returns (0.32%). The most significant contributor was Suncorp Group which surprised the market with a "special dividend" on top of increasing its ordinary dividend payment. Conversely the Fund also benefited from the severe negative reaction to the BHP Limited announcement that it would spin off its mineral diversion but not conduct a buyback or pay a special dividend.
More Information» View detailed profile of this fund

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