Fund Monitors Pty Ltd

www.fundmonitors.com
© Copyright 2026
Printed: 20 September 2026 11:06 PM

11 Sep 2015 - Bennelong Long Short Equity Fund

By: Australian Fund Monitors
Copy Article Link

Report Date09 September 2015
ManagerBennelong Long Short Equity Management, a Bennelong Funds Management boutique
Fund NameBennelong Long Short Equity Fund
StrategyEquity Market Neutral
Latest Return DateAugust 2015
Latest Return-0.69%
Latest 6 Months15.21%
Latest 12 Months15.74%
Latest 24 Months14.45%
Annualised Since Inception17.79%
Inception Date01 January 2003
FUM (millions)AU$301.2
Fund OverviewBennelong Long Short Equity Management applies a qualitative stock selection process to construct a diversified portfolio of paired securities based on relative value. The Bennelong Long Short Equity Management strategy invests primarily in the S&P/ASX 100 and is dollar neutral at cost.

In a typical environment the Fund will hold around 70 stocks comprising 35 pairs. Each pair contains one long and one short position each of which will have been thoroughly researched and are selected from the same market sector. Whilst in an ideal environment each stock's position will make a positive return, it is the relative performance of the pair that is important.

As a result the Fund can make positive returns when each stock moves in the same direction provided the long position outperforms the short one in relative terms. However, if neither side of the trade is profitable, strict controls are required to ensure losses are limited.

The Fund uses no derivatives and has no currency exposure. The Fund has no hard stop loss limits, instead relying on the small average position size per stock (1.5%) and per pair (3%) to limit exposure. Where practical pairs are always held within the same sector to limit cross sector risk, and positions can be held for months or years.
Manager CommentsBennelong Long Short Equity Fund performance in August was down slightly at -0.69%, in an equity market that fell 7.8% (ASX200 Accumulation Index). Long term performance since inception in January 2003, remains sound with annual returns of 17.79% p.a. (Index 7.64% p.a.) and a volatility of 11.90% (Index 13.05%).

The mining services was a strong contributor to the Fund's performance, where the Fund benefited from shorts on Orica and Downer, as the firms issued weak full-year result and FY16 outlook. Return from their bottom pair was driven by Seek long as the company announced plans to increase investment in business and expand, resulting in a downgrade to profit guidance. Fund activity for the month was minimal and at month-end the long exposure at 51.7% and short exposure at -48.30%.

Click below to read the Fund Manager's complete commentary and future market outlook.
More Information

Australian Fund Monitors Pty Ltd
A.C.N. 122 226 724
AFSL 324476
Email: contact@fundmonitors.com
Live chat