News
Performance Report: NWQ Fiduciary Fund
29 Jul 2020 - Australian Fund Monitors
The NWQ Fiduciary Fund rose in line with the market in June, returning +2.30% and taking 12-month performance to +5.39% against the ASX200 Accumulation Index's -7.68%. Since inception in May 2013, the Fund has returned +5.10% p.a. with an...
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29 Jul 2020 - Performance Report: NWQ Fiduciary Fund
By: Australian Fund Monitors
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| Fund Overview | The Fund aims to produce returns after management fees and expenses of RBA Cash Rate + 4.0-5.0% p.a. over rolling five-year periods. Furthermore, the Fund aims to achieve these returns with volatility that is a fraction of the Australian equity market, in order to smooth returns for investors. |
| Manager Comments | The Fund's down-capture ratio for performance since inception of 13.93% highlights its capacity to significantly outperform in falling markets. This is also supported by the Fund's maximum drawdown since inception of -8.77% versus the Index's -26.75%. The Fund's positioning strikes a balance between beta and alpha return sources (60% alpha managers, 30% beta managers and 10% cash & fixed income at month-end). NWQ believe the low net market exposure should serve the Fund well if the trend of elevated market volatility continues. |
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Performance Report: Harvest Lane Asset Management Absolute Return Fund
28 Jul 2020 - Australian Fund Monitors
The Harvest Lane Absolute Return Fund rose +0.50% in June, taking quarterly performance to +4.74%. Since inception in July 2013, the Fund has returned +4.31% p.a. with an annualised volatility of 10.61%.
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28 Jul 2020 - Performance Report: Harvest Lane Asset Management Absolute Return Fund
By: Australian Fund Monitors
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| Fund Overview | Harvest Lane Asset Management employs a conservative, highly selective and opportunistic approach. Using their extensive knowledge in the area of corporate actions, the Fund's managers assess each opportunity based on a thoughtful, diligent and disciplined process and invest where they believe an opportunity exists to generate above average investment returns relative to the risk incurred. Investment decisions are made without speculating on market direction, with rigid risk controls enforced to minimise the risk of large losses of investor capital. The Fund invests in securities that are predominantly listed on the ASX and occasionally in those listed in other developed markets. Equity swaps and other derivatives may be used at times to reduce risk. The fund typically holds high levels of cash in the absence of sufficiently attractive opportunities to deploy investor capital in accordance with its objectives. |
| Manager Comments | Harvest Lane saw a resurgence of M&A activity in the first three days of June alone, while successful completion in some legacy holdings came as welcome news (much to the portfolio's benefit). They noted that, at the same time, some much needed confidence has been reinjected back into the domestic M&A market, however, they added that deal spreads continue to remain elevated reflecting the market's cautionary bias. The deal breaks Harvest Lane saw in recent months have largely been backed by private equity; Abano Healthcare, Metlifecare, CML Group, Olivers' Real Foods and Village Roadshow have all had bidders that are either entirely or majority backed by private equity, whereas completed deals in the last few months have typically come from strategic/corporate buyers. Harvest Lane noted they now view 'binding' transactions with the same level of suspicion as they have long viewed 'non-binding and indicative' approaches from private equity. Harvest Lane remain active with each new opportunity that presents itself. They believe current market conditions warrant an increased focus on risk management, however they noted they won't hesitate to transact where they recognise a favourable risk/reward opportunity. |
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Performance Report: Insync Global Capital Aware Fund
27 Jul 2020 - Australian Fund Monitors
The Insync Global Capital Aware Fund rose +11.29% over the June quarter against AFM's Global Equity Index's +5.97% and taking FY20 performance to +19.35% versus the Index's +3.94%. Since inception in October 2009 the Fund has returned...
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27 Jul 2020 - Performance Report: Insync Global Capital Aware Fund
By: Australian Fund Monitors
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| Fund Overview | Insync employs four simple screens to narrow the universe of over 40,000 listed companies globally to a focus group of high quality companies that it believes have the potential to consistently grow their profits and dividends. These screens are size of the company, balance sheet performance, valuation and dividend quality. Companies that pass this due diligence process are then valued using dividend discount models, free cash flow yield and proprietary implied growth and expected return models. The end result is a high conviction portfolio of typically 15-30 stocks. The principal investments will be in shares of companies listed on international stock exchanges (including the US, Europe and Asia). The Fund may also hold cash, derivatives (for example futures, options and swaps), currency contracts, American Depository Receipts and Global Depository Receipts. The Fund may also invest in various types of international pooled investment vehicles. At times, Insync may consider holding higher levels of cash if valuations are full and it is difficult to find attractive investment opportunities. When Insync believes markets to be overvalued, it may hold part of its resources in cash, or use derivatives as a way of reducing its equity exposure. Insync may use options, futures and other derivatives to reduce risk or gain exposure to underlying physical investments. The Fund may purchase put options on market indices or specific stocks to hedge against losses caused by declines in the prices of stocks in its portfolio. |
| Manager Comments | Insync noted the key to the Fund's outperformance over FY20 has been its downside risk management as well as the selection of stocks with long growth runways that aren't closely linked to prevailing economic conditions. The Fund's downside protection (Put options) is being rebuilt after the options were fully exercised in March when volatility reached closed to all-time highs. Insync maintains a positive view for the medium to long-term. Their view is that very low interest rates are making quality sustainable growth companies extremely valuable. They also expect the Megatrends in which they invest are likely to resist a severe recession and a pandemic. At month-end, the portfolio's top holdings included PayPal, Visa, Microsoft, Adobe, JD Sports Fashion, Walt Disney, Accenture, Facebook, S&P Global and Domino's Pizza. The top three Megatrends in the portfolio by weight were the 'Age Related Health Solutions' and 'Digitisation' megatrends (both at 14% of the portfolio), followed by the 'Cashless Society' megatrend (13% of the portfolio). |
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Performance Report: Bennelong Concentrated Australian Equities Fund
27 Jul 2020 - Australian Fund Monitors
The Bennelong Concentrated Australian Equities Fund rose +19.38% over the June quarter and ended FY20 up +8.20% against the ASX200 Accumulation Index's -7.68%. Since inception in February 2009, the Fund has returned +15.45% p.a. against...
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27 Jul 2020 - Performance Report: Bennelong Concentrated Australian Equities Fund
By: Australian Fund Monitors
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| Fund Overview | The overriding objective of the Concentrated Australian Equities Fund is to seek investment opportunities which are under-appreciated and have the potential to deliver positive earnings, while satisfying our stringent quality criteria. Bennelong's investment process combines bottom-up fundamental analysis together with proprietary investment tools which are used to build and maintain high quality portfolios that are risk aware. The portfolio typically consists of 20-35 high-conviction stocks from the S&P/ASX 300 Index. The Fund may invest in securities listed on other exchanges where such securities relate to ASX-listed securities. Derivative instruments are mainly used to replicate underlying positions and hedge market and company specific risks. |
| Manager Comments | The main contributors to performance over the quarter were James Hardie, Breville Group, Fortescue Metals Group and IDP Education. The main detractors were CSL, Fisher & Paykel Healthcare and Afterpay. Bennelong maintain a reasonably balanced outlook for the market, trying not to be either too bullish or too bearish. They noted that, in this context, they continue to see good prospects for a continued recovery in the economy and market. |
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Performance Report: Bennelong Emerging Companies Fund
24 Jul 2020 - Australian Fund Monitors
The Bennelong Emerging Companies Fund rose in line with the market in June, returning +2.22%. Over FY20, the Fund has risen +17.33% against the ASX200 Accumulation Index's -7.68%. Since inception in November 2017, the Fund has returned...
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24 Jul 2020 - Performance Report: Bennelong Emerging Companies Fund
By: Australian Fund Monitors
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| Fund Overview | The Fund may invest in securities expected to be listed on the ASX within 12 months. The Fund may also invest in securities listed, or expected to be listed, on other exchanged where such securities relate to ASX-listed securities |
| Manager Comments | Over the June quarter the Fund outperformed the Index by +31.54% as the micro and small-cap stocks held by the Fund recovered even harder than the broader market. However, Bennelong reiterate that, while micro and small-cap stocks can deliver larger returns, they also come with significantly greater risk. This is highlighted by the fund's annualised volatility since inception of 36.54% against the Index's 17.40%. Top contributors included Viva Leisure, BWX, Baby Bunting, EML Payments and Mader. While each of these companies operate in very different industries, Bennelong noted they are all high quality and believe they have very promising growth prospects. As a result of the volatility seen so far in 2020, particularly in the micro and small-cap end of the market, Bennelong have made a number of changes to the portfolio. They believe the portfolio is currently well positioned for attracted returns over the long-term, regardless of the market's short-term movements. |
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Performance Report: Frazis Fund
24 Jul 2020 - Australian Fund Monitors
The Frazis Fund rose +13.9% in June, outperforming AFM's Global Equity Index by +14.25% and taking performance over FY20 to +38.81% against the Index's +3.94%. Since inception in July 2018, the Fund has returned +8.64% p.a. against the...
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24 Jul 2020 - Performance Report: Frazis Fund
By: Australian Fund Monitors
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| Fund Overview | The manager follows a disciplined, process-driven, and thematic strategy focused on five core investment strategies: 1) Growth stocks that are really value stocks; 2) Traditional deep value; 3) The life sciences; 4) Miners and drillers expanding production into supply deficits; 5) Global special situations; The manager uses a macro overlay to manage exposure, hedging in three ways: 1) Direct shorts 2) Upside exposure to the VIX index 3) Index optionality |
| Manager Comments | Of the top 10 ASX stocks over FY20, the Frazis Fund had 3 - Afterpay (#1), Mesoblast and Polynovo. Frazis noted companies with brilliant products and broad customer support are faring significantly better than mature incumbents. Frazis believe there is a strong chance Afterpay will enter the Chinese market with Tencent, or at the very least, Hong Kong, which they expect would add years to the company's current growth runway. Other positive contributors over the quarter included Pinduoduo, Carvana, Tesla, Twist Bioscience and Moderna. Frazis believe the multiples of many technology stocks need to compress by 25-50% to re-enter normal valuation ranges. They noted this could happen quickly tomorrow or slowly over time. With this in mind, they are selectively holding companies that they expect to have 300 - 500% larger revenues in 3 - 5 years. Looking forward, the Fund will continue to be invested across its usual themes: Software, Solar & Renewables, Online Retail, Life Sciences, Fintech, Digital Health and companies that change the way people live. |
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Performance Report: Bennelong Australian Equities Fund
23 Jul 2020 - Australian Fund Monitors
The Bennelong Australian Equities Fund rose +1.34% in June, taking FY20 performance to +6.24% against the ASX200 Accumulation Index's -7.68%. Since inception in February 2009, the Fund has returned +12.94% p.a. against the Index's...
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23 Jul 2020 - Performance Report: Bennelong Australian Equities Fund
By: Australian Fund Monitors
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| Fund Overview | The Bennelong Australian Equities Fund seeks quality investment opportunities which are under-appreciated and have the potential to deliver positive earnings. The investment process combines bottom-up fundamental analysis with proprietary investment tools that are used to build and maintain high quality portfolios that are risk aware. The investment team manages an extensive company/industry contact program which helps identify and verify various investment opportunities. The companies within the portfolio are primarily selected from, but not limited to, the S&P/ASX 300 Index. The Fund may invest in securities listed on other exchanges where such securities relate to the ASX-listed securities. The Fund typically holds between 25-60 stocks with a maximum net targeted position of an individual stock of 6%. |
| Manager Comments | Over the June quarter the Fund returned 21.90% against the Index's +16.48%. The main positive contributors to quarterly performance were James Hardie, Breville Group and Fortescue Metals Group. Bennelong noted that, while these stocks were sold off in the market downturn in the previous quarter, their operating businesses have held reasonably well despite covid-related headwinds. The main detractors included CSL and Fisher & Paykel Healthcare, both of which are defensive stocks that significantly outperformed during the previous quarter's downturn but which subsequently underperformed during the June quarter's recovery. Bennelong maintain a reasonably balanced outlook for the market, trying not to be either too bullish or too bearish. They noted that, in this context, they continue to see good prospects for a continued recovery in the economy and market. |
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Performance Report: Cyan C3G Fund
22 Jul 2020 - Australian Fund Monitors
The Cyan C3G Fund rose +0.5% in June, taking annualised performance since inception in August 2014 to +12.94% p.a. against the ASX200 Accumulation Index's annualised return over the same period of 5.22%.
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22 Jul 2020 - Performance Report: Cyan C3G Fund
By: Australian Fund Monitors
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| Fund Overview | Cyan C3G Fund is based on the investment philosophy which can be defined as a comprehensive, clear and considered process focused on delivering growth. These are identified through stringent filter criteria and a rigorous research process. The Manager uses a proprietary stock filter in order to eliminate a large proportion of investments due to both internal characteristics (such as gearing levels or cash flow) and external characteristics (such as exposure to commodity prices or customer concentration). Typically, the Fund looks for businesses that are one or more of: a) under researched, b) fundamentally undervalued, c) have a catalyst for re-rating. The Manager seeks to achieve this investment outcome by actively managing a portfolio of Australian listed securities. When the opportunity to invest in suitable securities cannot be found, the manager may reduce the level of equities exposure and accumulate a defensive cash position. Whilst it is the company's intention, there is no guarantee that any distributions or returns will be declared, or that if declared, the amount of any returns will remain constant or increase over time. The Fund does not invest in derivatives and does not use debt to leverage the Fund's performance. However, companies in which the Fund invests may be leveraged. |
| Manager Comments | Top positive contributors over the month were Quickfee and Kip McGrath. The largest detractor was Jumbo Interactive. Over FY20, top contributors included Quickfee, Swift Networks, Motorcycle Holdings, Afterpay, Alcidion, Atomos, Schrole and Big River. Key detractors included Victory Offices, Murray River Organics, AMA Group, Experience Co, Jaxsta, Raiz and CarbonXT. Cyan remain optimistic of ongoing positive returns, however, they noted they don't believe it's the time to be running a 'set and forget' portfolio. |
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Performance Report: 4D Global Infrastructure Fund
21 Jul 2020 - Australian Fund Monitors
The 4D Global Infrastructure Fund ended the June quarter up +5.11%, outperforming its benchmark (OECD G7 Inflation Index +5.5%) by +3.57% and taking annualised performance since inception in March 2016 to +9.73%.
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21 Jul 2020 - Performance Report: 4D Global Infrastructure Fund
By: Australian Fund Monitors
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| Fund Overview | The fund will be managed as a single portfolio of listed global infrastructure securities including regulated utilities in gas, electricity and water, transport infrastructure such as airports, ports, road and rail as well as communication assets such as the towers and satellite sectors. The portfolio is intended to have exposure to both developed and emerging market opportunities, with country risk assessed internally before any investment is considered. The maximum absolute position of an individual stock is 7% of the fund. |
| Manager Comments | The strongest performer in the portfolio in June was Indonesian toll road operator, Jasa Marga, up +24.4% as it rebounded from an oversold position as traffic starts to recover and the government pledges continued support for the growth of the sector. The weakest performer in June was German airport group, Fraport, down -13.2% as flights remain grounded, COVID-19 continues to spread and expectations of a return to normal travel environments get pushed out further. 4D believe the weak environment has been completely priced into the current share price. 4D noted infrastructure investment delivers a significant economic multiplier when capital is efficiently allocated. Their view is that the prospect of increased need for investment, together with stretched government balance sheets, will inevitably lead to a longer-term trend of increased privatisations and more investment opportunities in infrastructure for the private sector. |
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Performance Report: Bennelong Twenty20 Australian Equities Fund
21 Jul 2020 - Australian Fund Monitors
The Bennelong Twenty20 Australian Equities Fund rose +2.23%, outperforming the ASX200 Accumulation Index by +8.59% over FY20. Since inception in November 2009, the Fund has returned +9.42% p.a. against the Index's annualised return of...
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21 Jul 2020 - Performance Report: Bennelong Twenty20 Australian Equities Fund
By: Australian Fund Monitors
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| Fund Overview | The Fund is managed as one portfolio but comprises and combines two separately managed exposures: 1. An investment in the top 20 stocks of the markets, which the Fund achieves by taking an indexed position in the S&P/ASX 20 Index; and 2. An investment in the stocks beyond the S&P/ASX 20 Index. This exposure is managed on an active basis using a fundamental core approach. The Fund may also invest in securities expected to be listed on the ASX, securities listed or expected to be listed on other exchanges where such securities relate to ASX-listed securities.Derivative instruments may be used to replicate underlying positions and hedge market and company specific risks. The companies within the portfolio are primarily selected from, but not limited to, the S&P/ASX 300 Accumulation Index. The Fund typically holds between 40-55 stocks and thus is considered to be highly concentrated. This means that investors should expect to see high short-term volatility. The Fund seeks to achieve growth over the long-term, therefore the minimum suggested investment timeframe is 5 years. |
| Manager Comments | Over the June quarter, the Fund outperformed the Index by +4.23%. Bennelong noted the Fund's outperformance was entirely due to the ex-20 sleeve of the portfolio. The most notable positive contributor was James Hardie, while Afterpay was the main detractor. Bennelong remain reasonably balanced in their outlook for the market, trying to avoid being too bullish or too bearish. They noted they continue to see good prospects for a continued recovery in the economy and market. |
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