Fund Monitors Pty Ltd

www.fundmonitors.com
© Copyright 2026
Printed: 21 September 2026 4:37 AM

10 Jun 2016 - Bennelong Long Short Equity Fund

By: Australian Fund Monitors
Copy Article Link

Report Date07 June 2016
ManagerBennelong Long Short Equity Management, a Bennelong boutique
Fund NameBennelong Long Short Equity Fund
StrategyEquity Market Neutral
Latest Return DateMay 2016
Latest Return7.58%
Latest 6 Months6.29%
Latest 12 Months31.44%
Latest 24 Months35.54%
Annualised Since Inception18.00%
Inception Date01 January 2003
FUM (millions)AU$386.4
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.

The Bennelong Market Neutral Fund, with same strategy and liquidity is available for retail investors.
Manager CommentsBennelong Long Short Equity Fund rose 7.58%, outperforming the ASX 200 Accumulation Index by 4.49%. The long term performance since inception remains strong with annual returns of 18% p.a. (Index 7.73% p.a.) with volatility of 12.0% (Index 13.02%). The Fund has notable Sharpe and Sortino ratios of 1.06 (Index 0.30) and 1.84 (Index 0.33).

Company fundamentals dictated the strong Fund return. Specific pairs that contributed to performance included: 1) long Aristocrat / short Tabcorp, with Aristocrat rallying 29% following a strong trading update and outlook as it continues to gain market share from competitors in Australia and the US; 2) long Macquarie / short IOOF, with Macquarie reporting a solid FY16 profit while IOOF lowered its earnings guidance; and 3) long Qantas / short Flight Centre where Flight Centre guided profit lower.

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

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