NEWS
Aurora Fortitude Absolute Return Fund
18 Dec 2014 - Australian Fund Monitors
Aurora Fortitude Absolute Return Fund returned 0.38% during November and 2.22% for the previous 12 months with a volatility of 1.07%.
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18 Dec 2014 - Aurora Fortitude Absolute Return Fund
By: Australian Fund Monitors
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| Fund Overview | The Fund aims to produce positive returns irrespective of the direction of the share market. For each investment the manager considers the risk, the timeline of that risk occurring and then the potential return. Low transaction costs and liquidity are other important factors in the success and implementation of the strategies. |
| Manager Comments | In November the fund's Option Strategy contributed significantly at 1.22%. Whilst the commodity names grabbed the headlines, positive contributions were also made concomitantly across the industrial sector, with the adjustment in the retail sector being the major factor. Following a disappointing sales update Woolworths Limited (WOW.ASX) fell 13.56%. Their major competitor Wesfarmers Limited (WES.ASX) fell a more modest 6.12%. The Fund was able to generate positive returns in both names. Other significant contributors were Woodside Petroleum (WPL.ASX), BHP Billiton (BHP.ASX) and Westpac Banking Corporation (WBC.ASX). The Long/Short trading was the most significant drawdown during the month (-0.77%). There was too much exposure to small capitalisation resources companies, which were generally entered int with the view to exiting post an 'event or catalyst' in a relatively short time period. However, the extent of market sell off and the lack of liquidity in these names has caused us to implement exit strategies for the bulk of these position and reassessing our approach in this space. |
| More Information | » View detailed profile of this fund |
Totus Alpha Fund
17 Dec 2014 - Australian Fund Monitors
Totus Alpha Fund returned 6.14% during November and 15.05% over the prior 12 months with a volatility 8.61%.
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17 Dec 2014 - Totus Alpha Fund
By: Australian Fund Monitors
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| Fund Overview | The Fund is a long/short investment fund principally investing in listed entities, commodities, futures and options in Australia and internationally. The Fund is not a market neutral fund and accordingly may switch between net long positions and net short positions. The Fund may use short sales and derivatives. Gearing may be used to enhance returns and the Fund may be geared in excess of 100% of the Fund's Net Asset Value. There is a limit to net exposure of 150%. |
| Manager Comments | The Sharpe and Sortino ratios over the last year are 1.39 (0.21) and 2.83 (0.23) respectively with the Up and Down Capture ratios 0.59 and -0.27. As at 30 November, the fund had a net exposure of 39.40% and a gross exposure of 265.0%/ The fund held 112 positions (43 long and 69 short). The fund is active on both the long and short side but it is in periods of heightened market volatility (like November) that the ability to short sell really adds value. |
| More Information | » View detailed profile of this fund |
Optimal Australia Absolute Trust
16 Dec 2014 - Australian Fund Monitors
Optimal Australia Absolute Trust returned -0.53% against the ASC 200 Accum Index -3.25% in November with annual returns at 5.41%, with a volatility of 2.08%.
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16 Dec 2014 - Optimal Australia Absolute Trust
By: Australian Fund Monitors
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| Fund Overview | The Fund's bias is likely to be net long under normal market conditions, with the core strategy being to construct a portfolio of listed equity securities priced at levels that do not adequately reflect their underlying value. The Fund will seek to boost returns and limit potential market downside by selective short selling of individual stocks which are priced at levels that are viewed as materially above their underlying value. The Fund will also use certain trading strategies both within its core portfolio (through rebalancing stock weights and overall market exposure in response to price movements) and in certain other situations (typically of a shorter-duration and/or opportunistic nature) with the objective of further increasing returns. |
| Manager Comments | The Fund recorded 83% positive months over the last year and a maximum draw-down of -0.71% as compared to the Index at -5.38%. The accelerating slide in energy prices was the big story of the month in the markets, and this dynamic also had a big influence on the Fund's return. Energy and materials stocks dominated our long return attribution of -1.91% on average long exposure of 48%. Similarly, energy and financials were the major source of gains in our short portfolio, with attribution of +1.37% on average short exposure of 31%. |
| More Information | » View detailed profile of this fund |
Bennelong Long Short Equity Fund November 2014
15 Dec 2014 - Australian Fund Monitors
The Bennelong Long Short Equity Fund returned 3.12% in November outperforming the ASX 200 Accum Index -3.25%. The fund has returned -6.76% over the previous 12 months with a volatility of 9.96%.
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15 Dec 2014 - Bennelong Long Short Equity Fund November 2014
By: Australian Fund Monitors
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| Fund Overview | 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 Comments | Long term performance remains sound with since inception (Jan 2003) returns at 17.12% pa (Index 7.99%) and a volatility of 11.94% (Index 12.91%). Sharpe and Sortino ratios are well ahead of the Index at 1.01 and 1.68 respectively. In November the fund performance stabilised with key pairs making solid contributions. Stock positions in Quantas and Challenger slightly offset these returns. At the industry level, Consumer Staples short, Health Care long and Consumer Discretionary short were outperformers whilst our Industrials long positions underperformed. We were relatively active during the month, taking advantage of price movements to adjust weightings in several pairs and we also introduced one new pair. |
| More Information | » View detailed profile of this fund |
Hedge Clippings
12 Dec 2014 - Australian Fund Monitors
Thursday February 12th we are holding a lunchtime seminar for investors and advisers in conjunction with Deloitte entitled "Looking Forward, Looking Back" featuring the opinions and experience of some of Australia's best fund managers,...
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12 Dec 2014 - Hedge Clippings
By: Australian Fund Monitors
12 months ago the Reserve Bank Govenor Glenn Stevens was trying to talk the Aussie dollar down to US$0.85, and whilst it held stubbornly above that for some time, it looks like he's got his wish. Not content with that however he has now lowered his target to US $0.75 as he looks forward to 2015.
To be fair there has been a significant deterioration to commodity prices, particularly iron ore and coal, on the back of the outlook for Chinese growth, and is difficult to see any rapid rebound in these, certainly not back to the halcyon days of 24 months ago.
More recently of course the oil price has plunged, although driven by a different set of circumstances with the Saudis seemingly intent on spoiling the energy industry in the United States, while at the same time, intentionally or otherwise, putting even further pressure on Vladimir Putin.
It seems pretty obvious that the RBA would rather let commodities, along with some tough talking, push the Aussie dollar down to even more competitive levels rather than cut interest rates further and risk pushing property further upwards as a result. Having said that anecdotal evidence suggests that with Christmas just around the corner a fair amount of the exuberance in certain parts of the property market has already been taken care of.
None of this will necessarily help the Treasurer Joe Hockey as he wrestles with trying to get his May 2014 budget approved through the Senate before he needs to start drafting the next one. It's looking as if there are going to be some significant budget deficits for some time to come, with some forecasters thinking five years or more. Having lost a fair amount of political capital in the last 12 months, the available options, including taking a look at GST and negative gearing, would seem to be diminishing.
What will also be interesting to us next year will be the governments reaction, or at least their resolve, to do anything about David Murray's FSI released last Sunday. In our opinion we couldn't find much wrong with the 44 recommendations in the report, but as we have mentioned before recommendations are easy, implementation is another matter.
Meanwhile a reminder that next year on Thursday February 12th we are holding a lunchtime seminar for investors and advisers in conjunction with Deloitte entitled "Looking Forward, Looking Back" featuring the opinions and experience of some of Australia's best fund managers, including Simon Shields of Monash Investors, and George Colman from Optimal Australia. Save the date, and reserve your place here.
Next Friday will see the last edition of Hedge Clippings for 2014, and we will then be taking a short break over Christmas and the summer holidays for some welcome R&R. In case you're going away yourself before then, best wishes for a happy festive season, and we look forward to touching base again in 2015.
Specific results received this week include the following PERFORMANCE UPDATES:
November performance brings the Monash Absolute Investment Fund annual return to 4.08% with a volatility of 8.14%.
The Morphic Global Opportunities Fund returned 5.24%, bringing the annual return to 15.35% with a volatility of 8.85%.
Bennelong Kardinia Absolute Return Fund returned 1.31% during November and 5.33% over the previous 12 months with a volatility of 4.08%.
The Paragon Fund performance is in for November with annual returns at 16.72% (Index 4.30%) with a volatility 15.11% (Index 10.84%). .
18 February 2015 in Sydney - Efficiency in a Regulated World
25-27 March 2015 - Digital Marketing for Banking and Financial Services Summit.
For this week's "and now for something completely different", we aren't sure how much of this is live footage and how much is CGI but it's a great use of unbrellas and very clever.
Best wishes for a happy and healthy weekend,
Chris
CEO, AUSTRALIAN FUND MONITORS
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Australian Fund Monitors are helping to raise awareness to support research into prevention and cure for cerebral palsy. For more information visit www.cpresearch.org.au or contact me by email.
The Paragon Fund
12 Dec 2014 - Australian Fund Monitors
The Paragon Fund returned -3.10% (ASX 200 Accum -3.25%) during November with annual returns at 16.72% (Index 4.30%) with a volatility 15.11% (Index 10.84%).
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12 Dec 2014 - The Paragon Fund
By: Australian Fund Monitors
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| Fund Overview | Paragon accepts that markets are not always efficient in pricing information into securities and that no one investment style works in every stage of the investment cycle. Subsequently Paragon adopts a top down thematic led approach to identify companies exhibiting sustainable or improving returns on capital driven by volume growth, pricing power and competitive advantages. Paragon utilises both quantitative analysis to provide probability weighted high/low/base case valuations and qualitative analysis in assessing management, the business model and likely direction of returns. Paragon will allocate assets to each investment opportunity based on a risk/reward profile. Positions have defined investment parameters and risk limits, which are then monitored on an ongoing basis. |
| Manager Comments | Key drivers of the Paragon Fund performance for November included solid returns from long positions in Qantas and Henderson Group and short positions in Woodside and Computershare, offset by falls in G8 Education, TFS Corp, Donaco and our resource holdings generally. At the end of November the fund had 29 long positions and 10 short positions. |
| More Information | » View detailed profile of this fund |
Bennelong Kardinia Absolute Return Fund
11 Dec 2014 - Australian Fund Monitors
Bennelong Kardinia Absolute Return Fund returned 1.31% during November and 5.33% over the previous 12 months with a volatility of 4.08%.
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11 Dec 2014 - Bennelong Kardinia Absolute Return Fund
By: Australian Fund Monitors
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| Fund Overview | The Fund's discretionary investment strategy commences with a macro view of the economy and direction to establish the portfolio's desired market exposure. Following this detailed sector and company research is gathered from knowledge of the individual stocks in the Fund's universe, with widespread use of broker research. Company visits, presentations and discussions with management at CEO and CFO level are used wherever possible to assess management quality across a range of criteria. Detailed analysis of company valuations using financial statements and forecasts, particularly focusing on free cash flow, is conducted. Technical analysis is used to validate the Manager's fundamental research and valuations and to manage market timing. A significant portion of the Fund's overall performance can be attributed to the attention and importance given to the macro economic outlook and the ability and willingness to adjust the Fund's market risk. |
| Manager Comments | In November, short positions in Share Price Index Futures contracts (hedging market risk), National Australia Bank and UGL as well as long positions in Amcor and Dulux were the major positive contributors to performance. Qube Holdings, Oil Search, Simonds Group and Challenger were the largest detractors from performance. Equity market exposure was actively managed throughout the month with a month-end net (including derivatives) of 58.1% (66.5% long and 8.3% short). |
| More Information | » View detailed profile of this fund |
Morphic Global Opportunities Fund
10 Dec 2014 - Australian Fund Monitors
Morphic Global Opportunities Fund returned 5.24% in November bringing the annual return to 15.35% with a volatility of 8.85%.
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10 Dec 2014 - Morphic Global Opportunities Fund
By: Australian Fund Monitors
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| Manager Comments | The Fund's since inception (Aug 2012) Sharpe and Sortino ratios are 2.47 and 7.95 with 79% positive months. The Fund's largest gains came from two US Gaming Equipment stocks which were under takeover. All three stocks in the UK water utilities basket also did well. The Fund's US bank basket also made a modest contribution, as did a new basket of Japanese car makers comprising Mazda and Mitsubishi Motors, identified for their own strengths and their improved prospects under a weaker yen regime. The Fund closed the month fully invested and remains positioned for a continuing bull market, with an increased exposure to China, the main change over the month from a top down perspective. All currency hedges had been cut at month end, and the Fund had positioned itself for interest rates to fall in Australia, but rise in the US. |
| More Information | » View detailed profile of this fund |
Monash Absolute Investment Fund
9 Dec 2014 - Australian Fund Monitors
Monash Absolute Investment Fund returned -1.30% during November with the annual return 4.08% and a volatility of 8.14%.
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9 Dec 2014 - Monash Absolute Investment Fund
By: Australian Fund Monitors
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| Fund Overview | The fund seeks to identify opportunities in the share market to make positive returns (long and short) irrespective of market conditions. It is style agnostic, as compelling investment opportunities exist across all investment styles from time to time. The Fund places a high priority on capital preservation, and has an absolute return focus in accepting market risk. The Manager's experience across value, growth and discounted cash flow styles allows them to use a comprehensive approach to investment decisions that applies all three. They also have the patience to seek out only compelling opportunities, rather than settling for relative value. The portfolio is somewhat concentrated, looking to diversify across industries and themes, rather than by trying to stay near an index. The portfolio may at times have a large amount of cash or other protection. However once investments are made turnover may be relatively high in order to lock in gains and avoid losses. |
| Manager Comments | The Manager notes that while November was a poor result, it was significantly better than the market which deteriorated badly towards the end of the month. We were helped by not owning resources and by shorting a couple of mining services stocks. The portfolio was very active during November, as we closed/opened Event Driven opportunities and added to some of our Outlook Driven stocks in weakness. The most significant trade of the month was exiting Technology One, one of our Outlook Driven stocks, which had gone up 113% over the 20 months that we owned it. |
| More Information | » View detailed profile of this fund |
Bennelong Alpha 200 Fund
8 Dec 2014 - Australian Fund Monitors
Bennelong Alpha 200 Fund returned 5.08% during November bringing since inception returns to 2.79%.
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8 Dec 2014 - Bennelong Alpha 200 Fund
By: Australian Fund Monitors
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| Fund Overview | The core investment strategy of the Fund consists of the active selection of a series of paired long/short investments in Australian listed equities based upon the Investment Manager's fundamental research. The strategy seeks to capture stock Alpha whilst limiting portfolio exposure to market risk by adopting a dollar neutral portfolio market exposure position with the tactical capability to take net exposure of up to +/- 20% of gross assets. Stock selection is based on fundamental analysis to derive a view of a pair of individual stocks. The Investment Manager is style neutral in determining the stock's positioning. This primary 'pairs' strategy may be enhanced by other complementary strategies, including event driven, security and takeover arbitrage, thematic and momentum trading. The paired stock positions comprise long and short correlated securities that are in most cases simultaneously opened. A portfolio of approximately 30-100 stocks will be selected and actively managed in 15-50 pairs to comprise the core minimum (60%) of the Gross Asset Value. Up to a maximum of 40% of the portfolio's Gross Asset Value may be invested in uncorrelated securities and/or uncovered (long and/or short) positions. These 'satellite' positions are intended to enhance returns and to balance overall portfolio risk. In this regard, the Investment Manager recognises that it is not always possible to achieve a suitable paired profile within the S&P/ASX 200, and that a high conviction long or short stock idea might not always have a suitable pair. |
| Manager Comments | The Fund was levered 2.5 times at month-end exposures were 52.5% long and 47.5% short. Ex-ASX 100 exposure was 36.9%. Both the long and the short book generated a positive return during the month, with the short book performance exceeding the long book in absolute terms. Returns were positive across all sectors except Financials and Telcos - which were minor negatives. At a pair level the winners were spread broadly across a dozen pairs. |
| More Information | » View detailed profile of this fund |
