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Equitable Investors

January 2025

Funds operated by this manager:

Equitable Investors Dragonfly Fund

Disclaimer

Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. Fund returns are quoted net of all fees, expenses and accrued performance fees. Delivery of this report to a recipient should not be relied on as a representation that there has been no change since the preparation date in the affairs or financial condition of the Fund or the Trustee; or that the information contained in this report remains accurate or complete at any time after the preparation date. Equitable Investors Pty Ltd (EI) does not guarantee or make any representation or warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of the information in this report. To the extent permitted by law, EI disclaims all liability that may otherwise arise due to any information in this report being inaccurate or information being omitted. This report does not take into account the particular investment objectives, financial situation and needs of potential investors. Before making a decision to invest in the Fund the recipient should obtain professional advice. This report does not purport to contain all the information that the recipient may require to evaluate a possible investment in the Fund. The recipient should conduct their own independent analysis of the Fund and refer to the current Information Memorandum, which is available from EI.

The door for rate cuts opens further

Pendal

December 2024

THE Australian economy grew by only 0.3% in the September quarter, once again falling behind population growth.

We managed only 0.8% growth for the year, yet the RBA still thinks demand outstrips supply.

The September quarter GDP numbers were always going to be more interesting than most.

Tax cuts and government subsidies were hitting consumer pockets and the big question was whether they would be spent or saved. For now, it appears consumers have been happy to pocket the extra money.

Spending by business and consumers once again flatlined and per capita consumption fell by 2% over the year.

The only growth we could find was, once again, the government - which now comprises almost 28% of GDP, up from around 23% for most of the past 50 years.

The graph below, courtesy of Westpac, highlights this extraordinary return of big government.

Source: Westpac Economics

Source: Wages grow 3.5 per cent for the year | Australian Bureau of Statistics

The national accounts also provided more information around wage pressures. As the high wage outcomes of 2022 and 2023 have faded from view, these are easing quickly.

Average earnings per hour moderated to 3.2%yr, from 6.5%yr in the June quarter. This is consistent with recent wage data at 3.5%.

We have weak growth, moderating inflation, wages under control and global easing cycles - so why the hesitation from the RBA?

The central bank remains focused on the idea that the labour market remains too tight, as it believes that 4.5% - not the current 4.1% - to be full employment.

The data is now suggesting otherwise.

Outlook

It will be an interesting few upcoming meetings for the RBA board.

February will likely be the last monetary policy board decision for three of the six independent directors. And March or April will see a split into governance and monetary policy boards.

Whether this influences thinking remains to be seen, but the current spirit of caution may yet stop a rate cut in February.

However, I think the RBA may do a short sharp pivot in the next few months, and view two cuts (in February and May) as still on the cards.

The Q4 inflation data at the end of February will be another low number, with even underlying inflation likely to print 0.6%, or annualised at the RBA midpoint.

While bond investors will be cheering for a cut, the Labour government will be desperate for one ahead of the "cost-of-living" election.

Time will tell if the RBA delivers for them.

Author: Tim Hext

Funds operated by this manager:

 This information has been prepared by Pendal Fund Services Limited (PFSL) ABN 13 161 249 332, AFSL No 431426 and is current as at December 8, 2021. PFSL is the responsible entity and issuer of units in the Pendal Multi-Asset Target Return Fund (Fund) ARSN: 623 987 968. A product disclosure statement (PDS) is available for the Fund and can be obtained by calling 1300 346 821 or visiting www.pendalgroup.com. The Target Market Determination (TMD) for the Fund is available at www.pendalgroup.com/ddo. You should obtain and consider the PDS and the TMD before deciding whether to acquire, continue to hold or dispose of units in the Fund. An investment in the Fund or any of the funds referred to in this web page is subject to investment risk, including possible delays in repayment of withdrawal proceeds and loss of income and principal invested. This information is for general purposes only, should not be considered as a comprehensive statement on any matter and should not be relied upon as such. It has been prepared without taking into account any recipient's personal objectives, financial situation or needs. Because of this, recipients should, before acting on this information, consider its appropriateness having regard to their individual objectives, financial situation and needs. This information is not to be regarded as a securities recommendation. The information may contain material provided by third parties, is given in good faith and has been derived from sources believed to be accurate as at its issue date. While such material is published with necessary permission, and while all reasonable care has been taken to ensure that the information is complete and correct, to the maximum extent permitted by law neither PFSL nor any company in the Pendal group accepts any responsibility or liability for the accuracy or completeness of this information. Performance figures are calculated in accordance with the Financial Services Council (FSC) standards. Performance data (post-fee) assumes reinvestment of distributions and is calculated using exit prices, net of management costs. Performance data (pre-fee) is calculated by adding back management costs to the post-fee performance. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. Any projections are predictive only and should not be relied upon when making an investment decision or recommendation. Whilst we have used every effort to ensure that the assumptions on which the projections are based are reasonable, the projections may be based on incorrect assumptions or may not take into account known or unknown risks and uncertainties. The actual results may differ materially from these projections. For more information, please call Customer Relations on 1300 346 821 8am to 6pm (Sydney time) or visit our website www.pendalgroup.com

Understanding Bridging Loans: A Comprehensive Guide

Australian Secure Capital Fund

December 2024

Funds operated by this manager:

ASCF High Yield Fund, ASCF Premium Capital Fund, ASCF Select Income Fund

The content on this page is intended solely for general informational and educational purposes and should not be interpreted as financial advice. Although we make every effort to ensure the accuracy and relevance of the information, it may not always reflect the latest legal or financial changes. We strongly recommend seeking guidance from a qualified financial advisor or professional before making any financial decisions. Use the information at your own discretion.

"A is for Ambition": Apple and Amazon Bet Big on the Future

Alphinity Investment Management 

December 2024

The recent Apple and Amazon third quarter 2024 results revealed further details around the critical leg of their strategies, with these tech giants continuing to lay down markers for how they see the next stage of tech evolution unfolding and staking out positions to profit from it. Looming large in this evolution is AI, with Apple looking to leverage capabilities across what is an enormous ecosystem of 2.2bn active devices while Amazon is focusing on pushing AI applications across their Cloud and consumer business. The recent results also provided key insights into shorter term business performance.

Key takeaway from the result?

The key takeaway from the Apple result is that while the gains from the release of "Apple Intelligence" will be significant, they will take time. This was evidenced by the fact that despite this recent result coming in ahead of expectations, it was coupled with a guide for the coming quarter that was mildly below what the market was looking for (Apple guided to revenue growth of low to mid-single digits vs a market that was expecting +7%).

This makes sense as "Apple Intelligence" has only just rolled out in the US in recent weeks, and will not become available in the UK, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand until December 2024. Other geographies will follow over the course of 2025. Most importantly, it is also December 2024 before we see a meaningful expansion of the AI features including the long-awaited Chat GPT integration. As such, the powerful iPhone upgrade cycle that we expect to come with "Apple Intelligence" is likely to be a slow burn, with momentum building through 2025 and into 2026.

What impressed?

The ability of Apple to turn a benign demand environment into double digit EPS growth is impressive. Products growth has been tepid but the higher growth Services business, margin expansion and a buy-back continues to drive EPS growth above 10%.

What disappointed?

While we appreciate that Apple Intelligence will take time, the pace of the roll-out driving the weaker than expected outlook for 4Q (which is their biggest quarter of the year) was mildly disappointing. However, Apple tend to focus on quality rather than speed, so we do think that their ability to monetise AI across an installed base of 2.2bn active devices is a compelling, multi-year opportunity.

Interesting chart?

The next phase for Apple is all about an iPhone replacement cycle coupled with an expansion of associated Services revenue. The chart below shows what happened the last time a compelling technology shift occurred, with 5G driving a compression in this replacement cycle. Since the most recent trough in FY21, replacement cycles have shifted out by more than 12 months. A compression of this replacement cycle back towards 4yrs will drive circa 10% EPS upgrades.

What are the key risks?

There are a few key risks facing Apple in the coming years. Key among these are:

• What if "Apple Intelligence" is a flop? This would undercut the investment thesis of a compelling technology shift driving customers to upgrade their phone, as well as reduce the ability of Apple to further monetise AI capabilities through their Services business.
• What about if Apple lose Search payments from Google? The current DOJ case against Google has the potential to eliminate the $20-$25bn of high margin revenue that Google pays Apple to be the default search engine through Safari. While Apple will find a structure to replace at least some of this revenue, it is a potential drag in the short term.
• Will the phone lose primacy as the key device state? Over the longer term, there is a risk that a different form factor supplants the phone as the dominate device. Meta is pushing down the glasses route and seem to be well ahead currently, but Apple also appear to be on the "visual" path, with the "Vision Pro" potentially just the first step towards a glasses device for Apple.

In summary, Apple's ability to monetise their enormous consumer ecosystem is almost unrivalled. They will find a structure through which to monetise Ai, both through device sales but more importantly through an expansion of Ai related Services offerings. There is no company better placed to be the window into Ai for the average consumer.

Key takeaway from the result?

Margins, margins, margins. Given the scale of the Amazon business, a mild shift in margin outcomes can drive enormous gains in operating income and EPS. Amazon spooked the market during their 2Q24 results which showed margins for their core retail business to be weaker than expected, which was blamed on everything from mix (lower priced "everyday essentials" in baskets) to building extra satellites for their broadband business. However, come the 3Q24 result last week, all was forgotten as Amazon blew those margin expectations (that they ironically had guided to themselves) out of the water. So, the question becomes, will this margin expansion continue?

What impressed?

The margin outcome in the core retail business was impressive, particularly in the international segment. Despite pressures from mix and what appears to be heightened competition from legacy retailers (eg Walmart) and Chinese players (Temu, Shein), Amazon generated solid topline growth and exceptional margins. The Amazon cloud business AWS also showed a continuing reacceleration driven in part by AI.

A combination of the "law of large numbers" plus optimisations had driven compression in cloud growth rates across Amazon (AWS), Microsoft (Azure) and Google (GCP). However, the advent of AI has driven a reacceleration in cloud growth, which is impressive given the base of business is significantly larger.

What disappointed?

While it may seem unusual to have any source of disappointment in an exceptionally strong result, the variability of the margin outcomes compared to what management expected could indicate a lack of visibility. While a "miss vs expectations" is very happily received when it is an upside surprise, it does raise some concerns that perhaps next time the "surprise" could be the other way. 

Interesting chart?

Given the scale of the retail business, a shift in margin expectations has a material impact on earnings. A circa 100bps improvement in Retail margins vs current expectations for CY25 would drive a 7% beat in Amazon operating income.

What are the key risks?

For Amazon, risks are on a couple of key fronts:

• E-commerce competition: Amazon used to be almost the only game in town when it came to e-commerce, however Covid saw several retailers reshape and improve their e-commerce offerings (facing an existential threat to your survival will do that). Now traditional retailers such as Walmart (who can combine grocery with general merchandise) are making some inroads, while platforms like Shopify can offer alternate paths to market. This is coupled by an increase in competitive intensity from Chinese platforms Temu and Shein.
• Cloud growth: While AWS has been performing well in recent quarters, they had initially slipped behind Azure in terms of AI functionality. Given the sheer scale of the capex required to build out data centre capacity, continued success in cloud is critical to generate returns on this investment.

In summary, Amazon's 3Q24 earnings report highlighted the significant earnings potential of the business and underscored the company's strong market position and attractive consumer offerings. However, it is crucial to closely monitor Amazon's ability to sustain margin improvements and effectively navigate ongoing consumer pressures in the future.

Funds operated by this manager:

Alphinity Australian Share Fund, Alphinity Concentrated Australian Share Fund, Alphinity Global Equity Fund, Alphinity Global Sustainable Equity Fund, Alphinity Sustainable Share Fund

How Trump will impact equity markets

Magellan Asset Management

November 2024

The United States has spoken. President Trump will return to the White House in the new year. But how can we cut through the noise to reveal the investment, economic and geopolitical ramifications?

Magellan's Head of Global Equities and Portfolio Manager, Arvid Streimann, has over 25 years' experience of following markets and politics, and over this time has built up a network of trusted contacts, he can offer a measured, independent view of the situation, including his expectations on Donald Trump's policy initiatives and decision making.

He's joined by Investment Director Elisa Di Marco for an exploration of the implications of a Republican clean sweep, including the impact on standards of living and consumer sentiment, as well as the potential for deregulation, and President Trump's promise to adopt protectionist policies in an effort to develop self-sufficiency. They share insights into geopolitical dynamics, including U.S.-China relations, Iran and Ukraine, and discuss the risks and opportunities for investors.

Funds operated by this manager:

Magellan Global Fund (Hedged), Magellan Global Fund (Open Class Units) ASX:MGOC, Magellan High Conviction Fund, Magellan Infrastructure Fund, Magellan Infrastructure Fund (Unhedged)

Important Information: 

Important Information: This material has been delivered to you by Magellan Asset Management Limited ABN 31 120 593 946 AFS Licence No. 304 301 ('Magellan') and has been prepared for general information purposes only and must not be construed as investment advice or as an investment recommendation.  This material does not take into account your investment objectives, financial situation or particular needs. This material does not constitute an offer or inducement to engage in an investment activity nor does it form part of any offer documentation, offer or invitation to purchase, sell or subscribe for interests in any type of investment product or service. You should obtain and consider the relevant Product Disclosure Statement ('PDS') and Target Market Determination ('TMD') and consider obtaining professional investment advice tailored to your specific circumstances before making a decision about whether to acquire, or continue to hold, the relevant financial product. A copy of the relevant PDS and TMD relating to a Magellan financial product may be obtained by calling +61 2 9235 4888 or by visiting www.magellangroup.com.au.

Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results and no person guarantees the future performance of any financial product or service, the amount or timing of any return from it, that asset allocations will be met, that it will be able to implement its investment strategy or that its investment objectives will be achieved. This material may contain 'forward-looking statements'. Actual events or results or the actual performance of a Magellan financial product or service may differ materially from those reflected or contemplated in such forward-looking statements.

This material may include data, research and other information from third party sources. Magellan makes no guarantee that such information is accurate, complete or timely and does not provide any warranties regarding results obtained from its use. This information is subject to change at any time and no person has any responsibility to update any of the information provided in this material.  Statements contained in this material that are not historical facts are based on current expectations, estimates, projections, opinions and beliefs of Magellan. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, and undue reliance should not be placed thereon. No representation or warranty is made with respect to the accuracy or completeness of any of the information contained in this material. Magellan will not be responsible or liable for any losses arising from your use or reliance upon any part of the information contained in this material.

Any third party trademarks contained herein are the property of their respective owners and Magellan claims no ownership in, nor any affiliation with, such trademarks.   Any third party trademarks that appear in this material are used for information purposes and only to identify the company names or brands of their respective owners. No affiliation, sponsorship or endorsement should be inferred from the use of these trademarks. This material and the information contained within it may not be reproduced, or disclosed, in whole or in part, without the prior written consent of Magellan.

Chris Gosselin, CEO of FundMonitors.com, speaks with Richard Brennan, Strategy Ambassador at East Coast Capital Management.

The ECCM Systematic Trend Fund has a track record of 4 years and 10 months. The fund has outperformed the SG Trend benchmark since inception in January 2020, providing investors with an annualised return of 15.09% compared with the benchmark's return of 6.97% over the same period.

Key to its success were high commodity market allocations and a systematic, risk-managed approach, offering strong diversification benefits with low correlation to traditional asset classes like the ASX 200.

Funds operated by this manager: ECCM Systematic Trend Fund

Chris Gosselin, CEO of FundMonitors.com, speaks with Richard Brennan, Strategy Ambassador at East Coast Capital Management.

The ECCM Systematic Trend Fund has a track record of 4 years and 10 months. The fund has outperformed the SG Trend benchmark since inception in January 2020, providing investors with an annualised return of 15.09% compared with the benchmark's return of 6.97% over the same period.

Topics discussed include: the success of ECCM's trend-following strategy, which recently earned an award for the company's flagship fund; and how global diversification and a focus on trending opportunities can enable consistent performance even in uncertain economic conditions.

Funds operated by this manager: ECCM Systematic Trend Fund

US Election 2024: How will markets and sectors respond?

Magellan Asset Management

November 2024

Arvid Streimann offers an analysis of why Trump's victory was more decisive than predicted and the key issues that influenced voters' decisions. He provides insights into the market's reaction and shares his expectations for the next 12 months, highlighting which sectors are likely to perform better than others.

Funds operated by this manager:

Magellan Global Fund (Hedged), Magellan Global Fund (Open Class Units) ASX:MGOC, Magellan High Conviction Fund, Magellan Infrastructure Fund, Magellan Infrastructure Fund (Unhedged)

Important Information: 

Important Information: This material has been delivered to you by Magellan Asset Management Limited ABN 31 120 593 946 AFS Licence No. 304 301 ('Magellan') and has been prepared for general information purposes only and must not be construed as investment advice or as an investment recommendation.  This material does not take into account your investment objectives, financial situation or particular needs. This material does not constitute an offer or inducement to engage in an investment activity nor does it form part of any offer documentation, offer or invitation to purchase, sell or subscribe for interests in any type of investment product or service. You should obtain and consider the relevant Product Disclosure Statement ('PDS') and Target Market Determination ('TMD') and consider obtaining professional investment advice tailored to your specific circumstances before making a decision about whether to acquire, or continue to hold, the relevant financial product. A copy of the relevant PDS and TMD relating to a Magellan financial product may be obtained by calling +61 2 9235 4888 or by visiting www.magellangroup.com.au.

Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results and no person guarantees the future performance of any financial product or service, the amount or timing of any return from it, that asset allocations will be met, that it will be able to implement its investment strategy or that its investment objectives will be achieved. This material may contain 'forward-looking statements'. Actual events or results or the actual performance of a Magellan financial product or service may differ materially from those reflected or contemplated in such forward-looking statements.

This material may include data, research and other information from third party sources. Magellan makes no guarantee that such information is accurate, complete or timely and does not provide any warranties regarding results obtained from its use. This information is subject to change at any time and no person has any responsibility to update any of the information provided in this material.  Statements contained in this material that are not historical facts are based on current expectations, estimates, projections, opinions and beliefs of Magellan. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, and undue reliance should not be placed thereon. No representation or warranty is made with respect to the accuracy or completeness of any of the information contained in this material. Magellan will not be responsible or liable for any losses arising from your use or reliance upon any part of the information contained in this material.

Any third party trademarks contained herein are the property of their respective owners and Magellan claims no ownership in, nor any affiliation with, such trademarks.   Any third party trademarks that appear in this material are used for information purposes and only to identify the company names or brands of their respective owners. No affiliation, sponsorship or endorsement should be inferred from the use of these trademarks. This material and the information contained within it may not be reproduced, or disclosed, in whole or in part, without the prior written consent of Magellan.

Artificial Intelligence will change the world (eventually)

Alphinity Investment Management 

October 2024

"The risk of underinvesting is dramatically greater than the risk of overinvesting" (Sundar Pichai, Alphabet CEO, 23rd July 2024).

This quote from the Alphabet CEO during the Alphabet 2Q earnings call amplified investor concerns around the current Artificial Intelligence ("AI") investment landscape. The technology industry appears to be engaged in a high-stakes race to develop AI infrastructure, while the potential returns on these massive investments remain ambiguous.

Given the substantial market share and valuation premiums now commanded by AI-focused companies, there's mounting pressure for these firms to demonstrate tangible returns on their AI investments. Investors are increasingly looking for concrete evidence that the massive capital inflows into AI infrastructure and development will translate into sustainable revenue streams and long-term profitability.

Despite market impatience, we are observing encouraging signs of AI's impact starting to emerge from both the revenue and expense sides of businesses. Substantial returns will however take time to materialise. Given the current market dynamics, we remain nimble with our AI exposure in the short term, but unequivocally convinced on the longevity and scale of the AI opportunity over the long term.

Where are the returns?

Market concerns around overinvesting in AI are not without precedent given the technology sector's history of several technology boom-and-bust cycles: From the 1990's internet era exuberance leading to the dot.com crash, to the recent hype around the metaverse (virtual worlds), Web 3 (decentralised internet vision), and even non-fungible tokens (NFT's). These examples serve as cautionary tales, illustrating how technology hype can outpace real-world applications, leaving a trail of poor returns and crushed share prices in their wake.

Current investment levels into AI architecture are extraordinary. Hyperscaler (Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), META (NASDAQ: META), Alphabet (NASDAQ: GOOGL) & Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN)) capex will rise more than 40% in CY24 and is expected to rise further in CY25 to levels 2.5x what they were in CY20. This level of investment is starting to have an impact on financial returns for these companies, both in terms of cash flow returns and on margins as higher depreciation flowing from this investment begins to bite in the P&L.

Hyperscaler Capex ($bn)

Returns take time to materialise

In any major technological transition - be it internet, cloud computing, or the current wave of generative AI, there is a consistent pattern: infrastructure development precedes widespread application and the realisation of value. The internet evolution provides a compelling case study, where the true value from end applications and the resultant share price movements only started to emerge after 3 years and really gathered momentum after 5 years.

Internet Cycle Stock Performance

We can see a similar phenomenon play out with generative AI. Cloud AI services are beginning to inflect, as evidenced by recent results showing a reacceleration in cloud demand but several cutting-edge AI applications such as Edge AI, Smart Robots and Multi-Agent Systems are still in development and yet to reach widespread commercial deployment.

Where are the end applications?

Contrary to the notion that end applications of AI are not yet visible, we're witnessing a robust proliferation of AI-powered solutions across various sectors already emerging just ~20 months after the emergence of GEN AI.

While these applications are in their initial phases and will take time to scale, their market potential is substantial. Take for example the M365 co-pilot example: a US$30 subscription fee per month across their 160m high value commercial users, could add $58bn revenue annually (a +23% lift to FY24 revenue). Expansion to the remaining 200m commercial users and integration into broader product offerings offer additional upside.

Returns from "efficiencies"

The impact of generative AI on business efficiency and productivity is emerging as a transformative force, with potential returns far exceeding initial revenue gains. This trend, while significant, remains underappreciated due to public concerns about AI-driven job displacement. However, real-world applications are already demonstrating substantial benefits across diverse industries. Companies are implementing AI with measurable success. For example:

• Uber (NASDAQ: UBER) is using gen AI to enhance customer service and marketing efforts;
• Mercado Libre (NASDAQ: MELI) is optimising capacity planning and fulfillment operations;
• Wipro (NASDAQ: WIT) is using it to boost software development through code assistance & documentation;
• Best Buy (NASDAQ: BBY) is deploying AI-powered trouble-shooting assistants.

Importantly, companies are beginning to qualify these benefits well beyond the bounds of tech:

• Walmart's (NASDAQ: WMT) quantified generative AI's contribution to catalogue creation in their recent results call with the CEO stating that: "without the use of generative AI, the work would have required nearly 100 times the current head count to achieve what we did using generative AI"
• Pfizer (NASDAQ: PFE) is leveraging AI as a key component in a $4bn operating expense reduction initiative;
• American Express (NASDAQ: AXP) is realising a 30% higher response rate on corporate offers through AI assistance; and
• L'Oreal reported a 10-15% boost in advertising productivity, by spotting trends (using "Trendspotter") early and marketing to online shoppers.

The list goes on. The adoption of generative AI is rapidly expanding, with companies across various sectors reporting emerging and expanding use cases.

How to quantify these returns

Quantifying the actual returns from generative AI can be a difficult exercise. For example, disaggregating how much of the Meta revenue acceleration comes from product enhancement due to Gen AI is complex, as is product augmentations flowing from its application to existing capabilities.

Stepping back to a broader economic perspective, McKinsey undertook a study trying to piece together the incremental value that generative AI could bring. The total value was $6.1tr - $7.9tr annually across specific generative AI use cases and general productivity.

Taking specific use cases, McKinsey's comprehensive analysis of generative AI applications provides a detailed roadmap of its potential impact across various business functions. McKinsey identified activities within business functions where generative AI could be applied and then calculated both the efficiency impact (as a % of functional spend) and the aggregate size of the opportunity. Remarkably, 75% of the generative AI impact was across a handful of functions spanning sales, marketing, product R&D, customer operations and software engineering, estimated to be a c$400-500bn impact across each function.

Interestingly, we are beginning to get validation of some of these data points in our conversations with company management teams, for example in software engineering the efficiency/cost boost figure of c. 30% is now being discussed. Looking ahead, we will continue to monitor validation points of this return profile, but if this current trajectory of efficiency gains persists across various business functions, it suggests that the substantial investments in AI infrastructure are likely to be more than justified.

Funds operated by this manager:

Alphinity Australian Share Fund, Alphinity Concentrated Australian Share Fund, Alphinity Global Equity Fund, Alphinity Global Sustainable Equity Fund, Alphinity Sustainable Share Fund

Magellan Global Quarterly Update

Magellan Asset Management

October 2024

Arvid Streimann, Nikki Thomas and Alan Pullen discuss key market themes and how the global strategy is positioned to capitalise on emerging opportunities, whilst monitoring the risks. Arvid also discusses the potential market impacts of the upcoming US election based on various possible outcomes.

Funds operated by this manager:

Magellan Global Fund (Hedged), Magellan Global Fund (Open Class Units) ASX:MGOC, Magellan High Conviction Fund, Magellan Infrastructure Fund, Magellan Infrastructure Fund (Unhedged), MFG Core Infrastructure Fund, Magellan Core ESG Fund

Important Information: 

Important Information: This material has been delivered to you by Magellan Asset Management Limited ABN 31 120 593 946 AFS Licence No. 304 301 ('Magellan') and has been prepared for general information purposes only and must not be construed as investment advice or as an investment recommendation.  This material does not take into account your investment objectives, financial situation or particular needs. This material does not constitute an offer or inducement to engage in an investment activity nor does it form part of any offer documentation, offer or invitation to purchase, sell or subscribe for interests in any type of investment product or service. You should obtain and consider the relevant Product Disclosure Statement ('PDS') and Target Market Determination ('TMD') and consider obtaining professional investment advice tailored to your specific circumstances before making a decision about whether to acquire, or continue to hold, the relevant financial product. A copy of the relevant PDS and TMD relating to a Magellan financial product may be obtained by calling +61 2 9235 4888 or by visiting www.magellangroup.com.au.

Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results and no person guarantees the future performance of any financial product or service, the amount or timing of any return from it, that asset allocations will be met, that it will be able to implement its investment strategy or that its investment objectives will be achieved. This material may contain 'forward-looking statements'. Actual events or results or the actual performance of a Magellan financial product or service may differ materially from those reflected or contemplated in such forward-looking statements.

This material may include data, research and other information from third party sources. Magellan makes no guarantee that such information is accurate, complete or timely and does not provide any warranties regarding results obtained from its use. This information is subject to change at any time and no person has any responsibility to update any of the information provided in this material.  Statements contained in this material that are not historical facts are based on current expectations, estimates, projections, opinions and beliefs of Magellan. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, and undue reliance should not be placed thereon. No representation or warranty is made with respect to the accuracy or completeness of any of the information contained in this material. Magellan will not be responsible or liable for any losses arising from your use or reliance upon any part of the information contained in this material.

Any third party trademarks contained herein are the property of their respective owners and Magellan claims no ownership in, nor any affiliation with, such trademarks.   Any third party trademarks that appear in this material are used for information purposes and only to identify the company names or brands of their respective owners. No affiliation, sponsorship or endorsement should be inferred from the use of these trademarks. This material and the information contained within it may not be reproduced, or disclosed, in whole or in part, without the prior written consent of Magellan.

Chris Gosselin, CEO of Australian Fund Monitors, speaks to Nichols Chaplin, Director and Portfolio Manager at Seed Funds Management. Nicholas shares insights on APRA's plan to phase out additional tier one bonds, which could destabilise the banking sector and impact retail investors.

The Seed Funds Management Hybrid Income Fund has a track record of 9 years and has outperformed the Solactive Australian Hybrid Securities (Net) benchmark since inception in October 2015, providing investors with an annualised return of 6.39% compared with the benchmark's return of 4.86% over the same period.

Funds operated by this manager: Seed Funds Management Hybrid Income Fund

Chris Gosselin, CEO of FundMonitors.com, speaks with Benjamin Harrison, Chief Investment Officer at Altor Capital. 

The Altor AltFi Income Fund has a track record of 6 years and 5 months and has outperformed the RBA Cash Rate + 5% benchmark since inception in April 2018, providing investors with an annualised return of 11.68% compared with the benchmark's return of 6.67% over the same period.

Funds operated by this manager: Altor AltFi Income Fund, Altor Emerging Growth Fund