Buy the rumour, Sell the fact - or in the case of the reaction to the FED's announcement of the start of the tapering process, Sell the rumour, Buy the fact has never seemed more accurate, even if it does turn out to be a one day rally. The taper news probably overshadowed the decision, or indication, that interest rates would stay close to zero for longer, but in any event US investors and the market should break for Christmas with a reasonably positive outlook heading into 2014.

Having enjoyed a solid 2013 I would expect they'll be reasonably pleased about the year just past, unless they were long resources, and gold in particular. Looking at the average returns of funds in AFM's database as an example, although only to the end of November, equity based funds are up 19.19% year to date, neck and neck with the ASX200 accumulation index which gained 19.18% over the same period. Non-equity funds have struggled meanwhile, rising only 4.06% YTD to the end of November.

Meanwhile on the regulatory front, Australia's new government probably hasn't had the best press since its election in September. Today's announcement by the Assistant Treasurer, Senator Sinodinis of significant amendments (aka watering down) of the Future of Financial Advice (FOFA) legislation is likely to receive mixed reactions. The proposed changes will undoubtedly reduce the cost and inconvenience to the industry created by the original FOFA, but various measures designed to protect, or inform investors and consumers would seem to have been significantly reduced in the process.

As a result the reaction will no doubt depend on which side of the desk you happen to be sitting. Or as former PM Paul Keating once famously quoted: "In the race of life, always back self-interest, at least you know it's trying."

This will be the last edition of "Hedge Clippings" for 2013 as we head to the sand and the surf to work off the excess intake that is likely to take place next week, past performance in this case being a very reliable guide to future consumption. We'll be back bigger (as usual) and hopefully better than ever, with some exciting developments in store for investors and fund managers alike.

In the meantime thank you for your readership and interest over the past year, and wishing you a wonderful Christmas, and a safe, healthy and prosperous New Year.

Specific results received this week include the following PERFORMANCE and NEWS UPDATES:

Optimal Australia Absolute Trust returned -0.52% during November bringing the twelve month performance to 1.61% and annualised returns since inception (Sept 2008) to 10.45% p.a. with a volatility of 3.62% p.a. The Fund's net risk exposure was 4.0% while gross exposure was 67.2%. Long investments returned -0.58% while short investments returned 0.04%.

The Aurora Fortitude Absolute Return Fund continues to deliver low risk returns recording 0.52% during November and 6.80% for the last 12 months with a volatility of 1.67%. The Fund has a Sharpe ratio of 2.33 and a maximum draw-down of 0.19% over the last twelve months as compared to the S&P/ASX 200 Accumulation Index draw-down of 6.72%.

Bennelong's Long Short Equity Fund returned -1.80% during November and 20.32% for the previous twelve months with a below market volatility of 9.36% p.a. (S&P/ASX 200 Accumulation Index 11.51%). The Fund's long-term performance remains strong with a since inception (Jan 2003) annual return of 20.82% as compared to the Index of 10.08% p.a. with a slightly below Index volatility. The Fund's maximum draw-down is notable at -12.22% as compared to the Index value of -47.19% as is the Fund's Sharpe ratio at 1.25 as compared to 0.43 (Index).

The Cor Capital Fund returned -0.90% during November, a weak month for equity markets which returned -1.31% (S&P/ASX 200 Accumulation Index). The Manager comments 'During November the Fund's cash holdings made the largest positive contribution to performance (+0.08%) with equities (-0.26%) and precious metals (-0.64%) making negative contributions to the overall return.'

FUND REVIEWS updated this week include:

Morphic's Global Opportunities Fund is a global equity long/short manager with a long bias and a macro-economic overlay. The mandate allows the Fund to short sell, use derivatives and invest in assets such as commodities & currencies as Fund's philosophy is that only Managers with flexible investment and hedging strategies will be able to deliver acceptable, steady, real, absolute returns over the investment cycle.

FUTURE EVENTS

12 February 2014: Investment Administration Conference - Efficiency in a Regulated World.

If you know of any upcoming hedge fund industry Events, or would like your Event listed in our calendar, please contact us.

We hope that you have a wonderful Christmas and if you are going away, a safe and happy holiday. Here are the AFM Christmas elves with a little bit of song and dance:

On that note, Merry Christmas and we will see you again in the new year!

Best wishes,

Chris
CEO, AUSTRALIAN FUND MONITORS

Connect with me on LinkedIn Twitter Facebook

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.

MORPHIC GLOBAL OPPORTUNITIES FUND

ATTACHED FILESMorphic Global Opportunities Fund AFM Review - November 2013 (pdf format)

Last week we wrote of the unfamiliar weakness of the ASX in November, and the apparent disconnect between the local market and the US. In December the ASX200 has continued to decline with a range of less than positive news damaging investor confidence and enthusiasm. November's general market weakness was put down to some pre-Christmas fatigue, profit taking to chase a range of new IPO's (which have been largely uninspiring on debut) possibly some broader political/economic concerns, and finally some offshore selling on concerns for a weaker A$.

Not so long ago there was hope for returns of 25% for the ASX200 in 2013, which with a week and a half to go look more likely to be 15%. To the end of November Equity based funds in AFM's database had returned just under 20% YTD, much in line with the ASX200, with 82% of funds to date outperforming in November.  

With the A$ trading below US$0.90 the currency view was certainly correct, assisted by some overnight comments from RBA Governor Stephens who would be happy to see it fall further.  Elsewhere this week the decision by General Motors to finally bite the bullet and cease manufacturing Holden cars in Australia from 2017, based on uncompetitive labour costs and agreements and the equally uncompetitive currency, probably helped. 

Coupled with the previously announced decision by new Treasurer Hockey to knock back the foreign takeover of GrainCorp, and the posturing about "eavesdropping" on our neighbours by Australia's security agencies (after all, amongst other things, isn't that what they're there to do, and don't they do the same to us?) and there hasn't been too much positive news on the political or economic front.

All is not lost though. The Wallabies seem to be getting their mojo back. Australia are two up in the cricket against the "old enemy" England... surely we can't blow it from here? And there you have it: The sun's shining, the beach beckons, the Christmas parties are in full swing.  It's all a case of priorities!

Specific results received this week include the following PERFORMANCE and NEWS UPDATES:

Morphic's Global Opportunities Fund returned 5.48% in November and 41.50% for the previous twelve months with a volatility of 9.06% p.a. Fund exposure was 112% net at month-end and 169% gross with a VAR of 1.30% at the 95th percentile.  Largest sector exposures were Financials, Information Technology and Consumer Discretionary with geographic exposure dominated by North America.

The top three active positions were US financials, a Global Cylical Basket and a Data Centre Spread with the first two positions net long and the last position net flat. The Fund also had currency position in the USD/Yen and an interest rate position that was long European Rates.

The Bennelong Kardinia Absolute Return Fund returned 0.15% during November and 14.73% for the previous 12 months as compared to the S&P/ASX 200 Index return of 23.18% but with a volatility of 2.83% as compared to 11.51% for the Index. Since inception in May 2006 the Fund has delivered 14.10% p.a. (4.69% Index) with a volatility of 7.78% (14.70% Index).

Short positions in Westpac and Westfield and long positions in Henderson and Macquarie were the largest positive contributors to performance, whilst long positions in Sirius and Carsales were the largest detractors. The Fund's net equity market exposure decreased to 56.9% (86.6% long and 29.7% short).

Monash Absolute Investment Fund returned -0.58% in November and 35.0% over the last year with a Sharpe Ratio of 3.49. The Fund had a month-end net exposure of 98% and gross exposure of 107%. Notable risk statistics for the Fund are the draw-down of -1.35% (S&P/ASX 200 Accum -6.72%), Up capture ratio of 0.69 and Down capture ratio of -0.13 with 76% positive months. All data is since inception in May 2012.

The Manager discusses a number of portfolio holdings including Emerchants, Technology One, Ozforex and Emeco Holdings.

The Insync Global Titans Fund returned 4.4% during November and twelve month return of 23.47% with low volatility of 6.67% p.a. The Fund's continues to record sound risk statistics with an annualised volatility of 8.36% p.a. (S&P/ASX 200 Accumulation Index 12.24% p.a.), a maximum draw-down of 4.39% (15.13%) and a down capture ratio of -0.52.  

The biggest contributors for the month were Time Warner Cable (a subject of takeover speculation), Coach, Wyndham Worldwide, Reckitt Benckiser and Oracle. The Fund benefited from the depreciation of the Australian dollar during the month, having no foreign exchange hedging in place.

FUND REVIEWS updated this week include:

BlackRock's Multi Opportunity Fund offers broad diversification across asset classes including equities, fixed income, currencies and commodities with an attractive risk profile, having provided double digit returns in 2009 through 2012 with low volatility of 4.17% since inception. 

The current strategy has seen the Fund record only three negative months since May 2010, leading to annualised returns over the past 48 months (to October 2013) of 11.74% and an annualised volatility of 2.16% pa. The four year Sharpe Ratio is 3.60, indicating an excellent reward-to-risk ratio.  BlackRock's Active Scientific involves extensive research into every aspect of the investment process starting with the identification of fundamental investment insights. These are thoroughly tested to ensure that the outcome consistently adds to performance: Quantitative analysis is also applied to balance both performance and risk ensuring the position is only taken when the potential for reward is adequate. Only insights meeting this multi level process are implemented into portfolios.

FUTURE EVENTS

12 February 2014: Investment Administration Conference - Efficiency in a Regulated World.

If you know of any upcoming hedge fund industry Events, or would like your Event listed in our calendar, please contact us.

While on the subject of cricket, today's the anniversary of the birthday WG Grace in 1850. And now for something completely different, Dionne Warwick's birthday was yesterday. Here she is in 2000 in a live tribute to Burt Bacharach and Hal David. It's a long clip, but you don't have to watch it all.

On that note, enjoy the week-end!

Regards,

Chris
CEO, AUSTRALIAN FUND MONITORS

Connect with me on LinkedIn Twitter Facebook

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.