NEWS
Performance Report: Bennelong Concentrated Australian Equities Fund
29 Dec 2017 - Australian Fund Monitors
The Bennelong Concentrated Australian Equities Fund fell -0.50% in November. Since inception in January 2009 the Fund has returned +18.92% per annum.
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29 Dec 2017 - 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 | At the end of November, the Fund's weighting were increased in the Consumer Staples, Health Care and Materials sectors and were decreased in the Discretionary, Industrials and Financials sectors. The Fund currently holds 21 stocks. The Fund's investment philosophy is to selectively invest in high quality companies with strong growth outlooks and underestimated earnings momentum prospects, this is highlighted by the Fund's portfolio characteristics as shown in the latest report. |
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Performance Report: Glenmore Australian Equities Fund
28 Dec 2017 - Australian Fund Monitors
The Glenmore Australian Equities Fund rose +3.81% in November, outperforming the ASX200 Accumulation Index by +2.17% and taking performance since inception in June 2017 to +24%.
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28 Dec 2017 - Performance Report: Glenmore Australian Equities Fund
By: Australian Fund Monitors
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| Fund Overview | The main driver of identifying potential investments will be bottom up company analysis, however macro-economic conditions will be considered as part of the investment thesis for each stock. |
| Manager Comments | Positive contributors in November included Appen (+32.2%), Moelis Australia (+9.8%) and Mastermyne Group (+8.5%). The Fund also participated in the IPO of Propel Funeral Partners (PFP) during the month. PFP is the second largest provider of death care services in Australia and New Zealand. Detractors for the month were Pacific Current Group (-3.6%) and Integrated Research (-3.9%). Glenmore noted the Fund had partially reduced its position in Integrated Research given the stock price appreciation prior to November, however, they believe the earnings profile for the business remains very strong with EPS growth of approximately 20% forecast in the next 3 years. |
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Performance Report: Cyan C3G Fund
27 Dec 2017 - Australian Fund Monitors
The Cyan C3G Fund returned +2.4% in November, taking annualised performance since inception in July 2014 to +28.25%.
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27 Dec 2017 - 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 | Positive contributors in November included Experience Co (+19%), Moelis (+10%) and Spirit Telecom (+30%). Negative contributors included Bluesky Alternatives (-9%), Kelly Partners (-6%), PSC Insurance (-4%), Axsesstoday (-2%). Cyan noted none of these retracements were due to company specific news, they view it as short-term profit taking and remain very optimistic about the medium term outlook of each business. Cyan noted the small cap market remains relatively buoyant and their outlook for the companies they hold is positive. Some of the Fund's larger holdings Cyan expect to generate meaningful returns into 2018 include Axsesstoday, Kelly Partners, Experience Co, Motorcycle Holdings, PSC Insurance and Bluesky Alternatives. Cyan hope to complement these with some new positions taken recently in both the IPO and secondary markets. The Fund continues to hold a significant cash balance which Cyan will look to carefully deploy as opportunities arise. |
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Fund Review: Bennelong Kardinia Absolute Return Fund November 2017
26 Dec 2017 - Australian Fund Monitors
Latest Fund Review for the Bennelong Kardinia Absolute Return Fund is now available.
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26 Dec 2017 - Fund Review: Bennelong Kardinia Absolute Return Fund November 2017
By: Australian Fund Monitors
AFM Fund Review - November 2017 (pdf format)
BENNELONG KARDINIA ABSOLUTE RETURN FUND
Attached is our most recently updated Fund Review. You are also able to view the Fund's Profile.
- The Fund is long biased, research driven, active equity long/short strategy investing in listed ASX companies with over ten-year track record.
- The Fund has significantly outperformed the ASX200 Accumulation Index since its inception in May 2006 and also has significantly lower risk KPIs. The Fund has an annualised return of 10.84% p.a. with a volatility of 7.00%, compared to the ASX200 Accumulation's return of 5.69% p.a. with a volatility of 13.62%.
- The Fund also has a strong focus on capital protection in negative markets. Portfolio Managers Mark Burgess and Kristiaan Rehder have significant market experience, while Bennelong Funds Management provide infrastructure, operational, compliance and distribution capabilities.
For further details on the Fund, please do not hesitate to contact us.
AFM Fund Review - November 2017 (pdf format)
Performance Report: Insync Global Titans Fund
25 Dec 2017 - Australian Fund Monitors
The Insync Global Titans Fund returned +2.03% in November, after the cost of fees and protection. Since inception in October 2009, the Fund has returned +10.01% per annum with a volatility of 8.93%.
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25 Dec 2017 - Performance Report: Insync Global Titans 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 | Performance in November was driven by positive contributions from Zoetis, PayPal, Heineken, Disney and Visa. The main negative contributors were Oracle, Cognizant Tech Solutions, eBay, BAT and Priceline. The Fund continues to have no foreign currency hedging in place as Insync consider the main risks to the Australian dollar to be on the downside. Over 50% of the Fund is currently protected using Insync's put protection strategy. Insync's latest report discusses the acceleration of 'cord cutting', the act of cancelling one's pay-TV subscription in favour of internet-delivered video options, and the impact on Fox's business. However, Insync noted nearly 40% of Fox's revenues are generated outside the US, Star India being one of Fox's international businesses in which Insync see significant potential. Insync also noted the recent negative trend in cord cutting has created an opportunity to invest at depressed valuations. They see an asymmetric risk profile with limited downside risks but significant upside opportunity. |
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Bennelong Twenty20 Australian Equities Fund November 2017
25 Dec 2017 - Australian Fund Monitors
Latest Fund Review on Bennelong Twenty20 Australian Equities Fund is now available.
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25 Dec 2017 - Bennelong Twenty20 Australian Equities Fund November 2017
By: Australian Fund Monitors
AFM Fund Review - November 2017 (pdf format)
BENNELONG TWENTY20 AUSTRALIAN EQUITIES FUND
Attached is our most recently updated Fund Review on the Bennelong Twenty20 Australian Equities Fund.
- The Bennelong Twenty20 Australian Equities Fund invests in ASX listed stocks, combining an indexed position in the Top 20 stocks with an actively managed portfolio of stocks outside the Top 20. Construction of the ex-top 20 portfolio is fundamental, bottom-up, core investment style, biased to quality stocks, with a structured risk management approach.
- Mark East, the Fund's Chief Investment Officer, and Keith Kwang, Director of Quantitative Research have over 50 years combined market experience. Bennelong Funds Management (BFM) provides the investment manager, Bennelong Australian Equity Partners (BAEP) with infrastructure, operational, compliance and distribution services.
For further details on the Fund, please do not hesitate to contact us.
AFM Fund Review - November 2017 (pdf format)
Hedge Clippings, 22 November, 2017
22 Dec 2017 - Australian Fund Monitors
Looking back, 2017 seemed like an ok year. Looking forward looks like more of the same - except we expect it won't be....
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22 Dec 2017 - Hedge Clippings, 22 November, 2017
By: Australian Fund Monitors
With only three more sleeps to go, Hedge Clippings can almost hear Santa's sleigh as 2017 draws to a close. Looking back over the year it was one of persistent and declining low volatility from an equity market perspective as low interest rates, low inflation, low wages growth, and steadily improving employment numbers underwrote business conditions and confidence, and thus market returns.
Conversely, Australian consumer confidence failed to follow suit. Low interest rates continued to fuel a surging real estate market - some would call it a boom - and massive household debt, but with no to low wages growth. As a result consumers aren't sharing the joy.
In spite of dire predictions from some quarters at the beginning of the year that investors would have to accept mid to low single digit returns in this environment it looks as if that may not be the case. To the end of November the ASX200 Accumulation Index has risen 9.81%, although less than half that of the S&P500's total return of 20.49%. Volatility, as measured by the VIX in Chicago spent most the past 6 months below 10, with a 52 week low of just 8.56. Not even three tightening's from the US FED, tensions on the Korean peninsula, or chaos in the Canberra sandpit managed to disrupt the market's party.
So where to from here in 2018? It seems dangerous to say it, let alone go to print, but probably more of the same. Improving business conditions in the USA will enable the FED's gradual tightening policy to continue. In Australia low inflation, low wages growth will see rates on hold probably until at least the 4th quarter. In that environment, all things being equal, markets should remain stable, or at least continue their current course.
The danger is that all things rarely remain equal. While it is difficult to predict what might occur to upset the apple cart, the risk remains. Our best guess is something political, be it global or local. So while the weight of inflows remains firmly in the passive funds sector, so does the risk.
And why not? Active equity funds in AFM's database have outperformed the ASX200 YTD to November, returning 11.59% compared to the market's 9.81%. Of those almost 20% have doubled the return of the ASX200. Most importantly, with a couple of exceptions, they have done so with lower volatility than that of the market, even in the current "low vol" environment.
Performance Report: KIS Asia Long Short Fund
22 Dec 2017 - Australian Fund Monitors
The KIS Asia Long Short Fund returned +0.71% for November, with an annualised return since inception in October 2009 of +13.68%.
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22 Dec 2017 - Performance Report: KIS Asia Long Short Fund
By: Australian Fund Monitors
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| Fund Overview | Whilst the Fund's primary strategy is focused on long/short equities, the ability to retain discretionary powers to allocate across a number of other investment strategies is reserved. These strategies may include, but not be limited to: convertible bond investments, portfolio hedging, equity related arbitrage, special situations (e.g. merger arbitrage, rights offerings, participation in international public offerings and placements, etc.). The Fund's geographic focus is Asia excluding Japan, but including Australia). The Fund may invest outside of this region to the extent that: 1. The investment decision is driven from the Asian region or; 2. The exposure is intended to mitigate risk or enhance return from factors external to the Asian region. |
| Manager Comments | Top contributors in November included Cobalt One Ltd (63bp contribution to performance), which experienced strong gains after its merger with First Cobalt Corporation. KIS Capital remain positive on this company and the industry and remain long. KIS noted being short index cost the Fund -34bp, however, this was offset by gains on long positions in a variety of different names with no one single name contributing more than 25bp. The portfolio remains diversified with more than 50 different lines as at the end of the month. In their latest report KIS discuss concerning signs they see about the state of markets, however, they feel the Fund is broadly hedged against them. They noted that, despite equity markets continuing to make fresh highs, there are moves occurring within equity markets and elsewhere that can often be a precursor to a significant broad market downturn. |
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Performance Report: Quay Global Real Estate Fund
21 Dec 2017 - Australian Fund Monitors
The Quay Global Real Estate Fund rose +4.20% in November, taking annualised performance since inception to +15.20%.
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21 Dec 2017 - Performance Report: Quay Global Real Estate Fund
By: Australian Fund Monitors
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| Fund Overview | The Fund will invest in a number of global listed real estate companies, groups or funds. The investment strategy is to make investments in real estate securities at a price that will deliver a real, after inflation, total return of 5% per annum (before costs and fees), inclusive of distributions over a longer-term period. The Investment Strategy is indifferent to the constraints of any index benchmarks and is relatively concentrated in its number of investments. The Fund is expected to own between 20 and 40 securities, and from time to time up to 20% of the portfolio maybe invested in cash. The Fund is $A un-hedged. |
| Manager Comments | During the month the Manager exited Hansteen Holdings, a company they'd held since inception in July 2014. The company delivered the Fund a total return of +55% over the investment period, surpassing the Fund's objective. Performance was further enhanced after the recently acquired position in GGP Inc received an offer from entities associated with its largest shareholder, Brookfield. GGP Inc owns and manages approximately 120 mall in the US. The Manager noted the GGP offer is in its early days and that there is no certainty a transaction will eventuate, therefore they are not adding to their position at this stage. At month end, the Fund held slightly more cash than normal due to its exit of Hansteen Holdings. The Manager expects to deploy this capital soon, as they continue to believe attractive investment opportunities exist across the global real estate landscape. |
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Performance Report: ARCO Absolute Trust (formerly Optimal)
20 Dec 2017 - Australian Fund Monitors
The ARCO Absolute Trust returned +1.57% in November. The Fund's annualised return since inception in September 2008 is +8.41% with a volatility of 3.74%.
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20 Dec 2017 - Performance Report: ARCO Absolute Trust (formerly Optimal)
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. *Formerly the Optimal Australia Absolute Trust |
| Manager Comments | The Fund's long positions drove performance in November, most notably from a number of long-held positions in JHG, WOW, CYB, AHG and ORE. Limiting the Fund's long exposure in banks to CBA, Macquarie and CYB was also a positive contributor, as was the broader short position in the sector with the Royal Commission announcement into banks. ARCO exited Pilbara Minerals and trimmed Orocobre, although they remain interested in EV and energy storage. Lynas Corporation was added to the portfolio during the month. The Fund exited its investment in FXJ and the Fund continues to be active in TLS, where ARCO believe a solid long investment case is emerging. The Fund's aggregate short positions detracted from performance, ARCO expect these positions to continue to protect investor capital in a market they believe is increasingly overvalued. Into 2018, ARCO believe the 'lower for longer' monetary policy of central banks will continue to be unwound and that the economic fundamentals of companies will play a greater role in their stock price valuations. ARCO noted Corporate Australia will continue to benefit from low domestic rates which should fuel their growth plans, though consumer weakness (indebtedness and sentiment) and tightening bank credit will be a challenge to broad market earnings. They believe volatility in the Australian market will likely rise. |
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