The Wingate Global Equity Income Fund posted a gain of +2.91% in March on the back market rebounds late in the month. The Fund outperformed its benchmark, the MSCI World (ex Aust) $A Net Dividends Reinvested Index by +4.31%.
The Fund, which sells put options on shares to generate income and provide a buffer against falls in share prices, was protected in part against lower equity prices in the first quarter of 2009 by a high level of income on derivatives. The Fund continued to invest in sectors that are not dependent on positive expectations for the future or excessively reliant on credit markets, such as consumer goods. As a result the Fund was underweight in financials in March (9% of the portfolio) due to the uncertainty surrounding the near future for financial institutions. Although there are no immediate signs of recovery in global markets, the manager believes there are still undervalued companies around and remains confident in investing in well capitalised firms.
