Fund Monitors Pty Ltd

www.fundmonitors.com
© Copyright 2026
Printed: 21 September 2026 5:43 PM

18 Apr 2018 - Performance Report: Bennelong Long Short Equity Fund

By: Australian Fund Monitors
Copy Article Link

Report Date18 April 2018
ManagerBennelong Long Short Equity Management, a Bennelong boutique
Fund NameBennelong Long Short Equity Fund
StrategyEquity Market Neutral
Latest Return DateMarch 2018
Latest Return0.83%
Latest 6 Months9.00%
Latest 12 Months14.73%
Latest 24 Months12.54%
Annualised Since Inception16.29%
Inception Date01 January 2003
FUM (millions)AU$427
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 as a Listed Investment Company (LIC) on the ASX.
Manager CommentsThe Bennelong Long Short Australian Equities Fund rose +0.83% in March, outperforming the ASX200 Accumulation Index by +4.6%. Since inception in January 2003, the Fund has returned +16.29% p.a. with slightly lower volatility than the market. The Index has returned +7.81% p.a. over the same period. The Fund's up-capture and down-capture ratios since inception indicate that, on average, the Fund has achieved positive performance in rising markets and significantly outperformed when the market has fallen.

The Fund's positive return came from the short portfolio's contribution. However, the long portfolio also outperformed the market with several positions closing higher. Bennelong noted performance broadly reflected trends set by reporting season. In terms of pairs, positive contributors included long Macquarie / short Bendigo and long ALS limited / short Aurizon. On the negative side, long Crown / short SkyCity was the Fund's weakest pair, however, Bennelong noted that the overall contribution from the Fund's negative pairs was minimal.
More Information

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