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ETFs ETFs

Vanguard Diversified Growth Index ETF: A Diversified fund at low cost

Investment Objective

Vanguard Diversified Growth Index ETF seeks to track the weighted average return of the various indices of the underlying funds in which it invests, in proportion to the Strategic Asset Allocation, before taking into account fees, expenses and tax.

Process

The Vanguard Diversified Index ETF series follows the investment process of the unlisted funds, but with some additional trade-offs of the listed structure, including brokerage costs and variable bid-ask spreads. The methodology starts by defining reasonable investment horizons for each portfolio and allocates to broad asset-class exposures such as equities and fixed interest based on the defensive/growth split. Then, sub asset allocation within classes follows a market-cap weighting approach, while allowing for behavioural biases and regulatory factors specific to each local market. The SAA determination is aided by the Vanguard Capital Markets Model, which forecasts asset-class returns through scenario analysis. An annual review may identify major structural shifts that can lead to a revised SAA.Underlying sector exposures are realised through in-house index-tracking funds. 

Portfolio

Vanguard’s straightforward approach applies a strategic asset allocation that is updated periodically and broadly mirrors its equivalent unlisted fund range. Dynamic and tactical asset allocation are not used. Vanguard sticks to the traditional asset classes of equities, fixed interest, and cash, while avoiding alternatives and unlisted assets. The four diversified options are designed to suit different investor objectives and risk profiles. Vanguard Conservative has a defensive/growth split of 70/30, Balanced is 50/50, Growth is 30/70, and High Growth is 10/90. 

Performance

 In comparison to unlisted peers, all ETFs sit in the top quartile over a trailing three-year time period as at June 2021.

Performance return (%)

Source: Fact Sheet

Asset Allocation(%)

Source: Fact sheet

About the fund

The ETF gives investors low-cost access to a variety of sector funds, allowing them to diversify across several asset classes. The Growth ETF is a growth-oriented exchange-traded fund (ETF) created for investors seeking long-term capital growth. A 30% allocation to income asset classes and a 70% allocation to growth asset classes are the goals of the ETF and suitable to buy and hold investors seeking long term capital growth, but requiring some diversification benefits of fixed income to reduce volatility.

 (Source: Morningstar)

General Advice Warning

Any advice/ information provided is general in nature only and does not take into account the personal financial situation, objectives or needs of any particular person.

Categories
Funds Funds

Pendal Sustainable Conservative Fund: An effective asset allocated fund with ESG overlay

It is noted that the investors would be comfortable as the ESG considerations mirror with those of the Manager’s approach- the strategy does not invest in tobacco or weapons manufacturing as well as the Fund has negative screens (alcohol, gaming, pornography) with activities materiality caveat. The fund utilises internal as well as external fund managers in order to make effective decisions while allocating its assets. The fund size is $345m.            

Downside Risks:

  • ESG breaches by investments in the portfolio.
  • Underlying managers fail to deliver performance or breach mandates.  
  • Personnel change – turnover in the team or portfolio managers. 
  • Broader market risk.

Fund Performance & Current Positioning:

(%)FundBenchmarkOut-performance
1-month 1.07%0.74%+0.33%
3-months 3.62%3.09%+0.53%
6-months8.17%5.89%+2.28%
1-year 9.46%7.40%+2.06%
3-year (p.a.)4.82%5.28%-0.46%
5-year (p.a.)4.10%4.76%-0.66%
Since Inception (p.a.)+7.15%+3.86%+3.29%

(Source: Pendal; Past performance is not an indicator of future performance)

Fund Positioning:

 % of Portfolio
Australian shares9.0%
International shares13.0%
Australian fixed interest17.2%
International fixed interest16.2%
Australian property securities3.4%
International property securities 3.1%
Alternative investments15.9%

(Source: Pendal)

Key Highlights:

  • Investment Team:

The Pendal Multi-Asset team is headed by the very experienced Michael Blayney. The team is made up of 4 members- 3 Portfolio Managers and 1 Analyst. The team is also supported by Edwina Matthews who is Pendal’s Head of Responsible Investments.

  • Investment Philosophy and Process:

The Fund’s core belief is that markets are inefficient, and that active management can improve risk and return. The process basically consists of three approaches namely; Strategic Asset Allocation Approach (SAA), Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) integration and construction of benchmark using neutral’s asset allocation position and index returns.

About the Fund:

The Fund is an actively managed multi-asset portfolio across a range of asset classes and incorporates a range of sustainable, ethical and financial considerations. The strategy aims to provide real return over inflation over the medium term. The strategy’s neutral target asset allocation is 75% defensive assets and 25% growth assets, which is suitable for ESG focused conservative investors.

General Advice Warning

Any advice/ information provided is general in nature only and does not take into account the personal financial situation, objectives or needs of any particular person.

Categories
Funds Funds

Janus Henderson Australian Fixed Interest Fund: A solid core fixed interest offering

over rolling three-year periods. The fund invests in a range of securities including government, semi-government, corporate and asset backed securities.              

Downside Risks:

  • Investment strategy selection fails to yield alpha.
  • Lead PM departs or significant turnover in the broader investment team. 
  • Credit / interest rates risk.  

Fund Performance & Current Positioning:

(%)FundBenchmarkOut-performance
1-mths0.05%0.09%-0.09%
3-mths2.78%2.55%+0.23%
6-mths4.77%4.23%+0.54%
1-year (p.a.)1.92%1.05%+0.89%
3-year (p.a.)4.90%4.52%+0.38%
5-year (p.a.)3.62%3.33%+0.29%
Inception6.74%6.51%+0.23%

(Source: Janus Henderson)

Sector Allocation:

(Source: Janus Henderson)

Key Highlights:

  • Investment Team:

The Janus Henderson Australian fixed interest team, headed by Jay Sivapalan, is highly experienced and well resourced. The investment team consists of highly qualified people having adequate work experience in investment, portfolio management and credit analysis.

  • Investment Philosophy and Process:

The investment philosophy of this fund focuses on investing in compelling opportunities, diversified strategies, capital preservation and strategic view. The Fund’s investment and portfolio construction process consists of Fundamental Research, Strategy Formulation and Portfolio Construction. 

  • Credit Process:

ESG is integrated into the credit process. Since the manager believes in ‘quality before price’ philosophy, ESG considerations are fundamental to their four-pillar bottom-up credit analysis, which are: business risk, financial risk, management profile and ESG risk.

About the Company:

Janus Henderson is a global asset manager with more than 340 investment professionals and expertise across all major asset classes. Its individual, intermediary and institutional clients span the globe and entrust it with more than $500bn of their assets. Janus Henderson’s commitment to active management offers clients the opportunity to outperform passive strategies over the course of market cycles. Through times of both market calm and growing uncertainty, its managers apply their experience weighing risk versus reward potential – seeking to ensure clients are on the right side of change.

General Advice Warning

Any advice/ information provided is general in nature only and does not take into account the personal financial situation, objectives or needs of any particular person.

Categories
LICs LICs

Sandon Capital Declares Special Dividend and Further Aligns Interest with Shareholders

Market Capitalisation of Sandon Capital Investments Limited $111.99 Million. Their last trade was 1.01 on 22nd September 2021.

Net profit is 37.3 Million. Their Annual Revenue is 56.5 Million. 

Sandon Capital Investments Limited (SCN) has declared a fully franked special dividend of 1cps in addition to the full franked FY21 final dividend of 2.75cps. 

The Board anticipates paying an interim FY22 dividend of 2.75cps, fully franked, subject to the Company having sufficient profit reserves, franking credits and it is within prudent business practices. 

This would represent a 10% increase on the FY21 interim dividend. SNC currently has 32.1cps in profits reserves and more than 9cps in franking credits.

In addition to this, the Manager announced that from FY22 onwards, the Manager intends to invest at least 50% of the after-tax proceeds of performance fees earned from SNC in SNC shares. 

Shares will be purchased on-market and will be acquired after the payment of the relevant performance fee where SNC’s share price is trading at a discount to its after-tax NTA. 

The Manager and entities associated with its directors and shareholders currently have in excess of $7.3m invested in funds managed by Sandon Capital Pty Ltd, including 2.1m SNC shares.

Company Profile 

Sandon Capital Investments Limited is an investment company. The Company is engaged in investing activities, including tangible assets, marketable securities or cash. The Company will seek to invest in securities, which Sandon Capital Pty Ltd (the Manager) considers to be under-valued and where the Manager considers there to be opportunity to encourage changes to unlock what the Manager has identified as intrinsic value. The Manager may also invest, from time to time, in market-based investment opportunities, such as placements, merger arbitrage and other investments it considers appropriate. Sandon Capital Pty Ltd is the investment manager of the Company.

General Advice Warning

Any advice/ information provided is general in nature only and does not take into account the personal financial situation, objectives or needs of any particular person.

Categories
IPO Watch

IPO debut of SSH Group fetches 30% gain on listing

The issue was open for retail investors from 30th July, 2021 to 27th August 2021. GTT Ventures and Taurus Capital Group were appointed as lead managers. 

The company also offered 20,500,000 shares as Vendor offer, 3,250,000 shares as convertible note share offer, 7,000,000 shares as option offer to advisers and 10,000,000 shares as option offer to executives. 

The proceeds of the funds are said to be used mainly for purchasing capital equipment for site services, paying out short-term debts and for offers and acquisition.

SSH shares were listed on ASX on 17th September, 2021 and delivered a decent listing gains of 30% by opening at AU$0.265. The demand on first day led the stock to surge to a high of AU$0.295, garnering a volume of over 5.82 million. The market capitalization of SSH Group comes to be at AU$ 14.36 million and the enterprise value is AU$ 10,106,977. 

SSH Group has identified myriad opportunities for future growth and expansion of the divisions in Western Australia. It estimates that there is over $39.3 billion of market revenue that is not serviced by major players in the operating industries. It currently possesses total clients beyond 100.

About the company:

The company provides a range of safety and people services, including security, labour hire, and road safety services, to the construction, mining, civil and government market sectors in Western Australia. It was founded in Australia and headquartered in Perth, Western Australia. Currently it has the workforce of 700 plus people. The main purpose of the SSH Group is to improve outcomes for Australian projects and communities.

 (Source: asx.com.au, sshgroup.com.au)

General Advice Warning

Any advice/ information provided is general in nature only and does not take into account the personal financial situation, objectives or needs of any particular person.

Categories
IPO Watch

IPO debut of SSH Group fetches 30% gain on listing

The issue was open for retail investors from 30th July, 2021 to 27th August 2021. GTT Ventures and Taurus Capital Group were appointed as lead managers. 

The company also offered 20,500,000 shares as Vendor offer, 3,250,000 shares as convertible note share offer, 7,000,000 shares as option offer to advisers and 10,000,000 shares as option offer to executives. 

The proceeds of the funds are said to be used mainly for purchasing capital equipment for site services, paying out short-term debts and for offers and acquisition.

SSH shares were listed on ASX on 17th September, 2021 and delivered a decent listing gains of 30% by opening at AU$0.265. The demand on first day led the stock to surge to a high of AU$0.295, garnering a volume of over 5.82 million. The market capitalization of SSH Group comes to be at AU$ 14.36 million and the enterprise value is AU$ 10,106,977. 

SSH Group has identified myriad opportunities for future growth and expansion of the divisions in Western Australia. It estimates that there is over $39.3 billion of market revenue that is not serviced by major players in the operating industries. It currently possesses total clients beyond 100.

About the company:

The company provides a range of safety and people services, including security, labour hire, and road safety services, to the construction, mining, civil and government market sectors in Western Australia. It was founded in Australia and headquartered in Perth, Western Australia. Currently it has the workforce of 700 plus people. The main purpose of the SSH Group is to improve outcomes for Australian projects and communities.

 (Source: asx.com.au, sshgroup.com.au)

General Advice Warning

Any advice/ information provided is general in nature only and does not take into account the personal financial situation, objectives or needs of any particular person.

Categories
Commodities Trading Ideas & Charts

Strong Thermal Coal Prices Poise New Hope for a Stellar Fiscal 2022

New Hope’s strategy seeks to create value for shareholders by remaining a pure-play coal miner and developing thermal coal assets at a time when major miners–including Rio Tinto and BHP-head for the exits. The strategy is entirely reliant on thermal coal demand remaining robust for decades. The purchase of a further 40% interest in the Bengalla coal mine in fiscal 2019 sees New Hope double down on thermal coal. Total coal production to reach 21.2 million metric tons of run-of-mine, or ROM, thermal coal by fiscal 2023, up from 14.8 million metric tons in fiscal 2018.

While demand for coal has waned in Europe and North America, Asia will remain the relative bright spot for coal demand over the coming decades, according to the International Energy Agency. The IEA sees the possibility that coal demand in absolute tonnage terms could remain steady out to 2040 in Asia, as economic development supports demand. Nonetheless, the potential for greater action on climate change brings the distinct risk that demand could falter earlier.

On the operational front, we’re encouraged by efforts to expedite the realisation of value from New Hope’s assets, given thermal coal’s uncertain future. Bengalla has approval to produce up to 15 million ROM metric tons annually greater than the approximate 12.4 million ROM metric tons mined in fiscal 2020. Capital expenditures required to de-bottleneck the mine and expedite the mining of Bengalla’s reserves are currently being explored. 

Financial Strength

 New Hope’s balance sheet remains well positioned. We view New Hope’s bias toward a conservative balance sheet as appropriate. The volatile nature of coal prices makes the use of significant debt problematic. The balance sheet currently sits in a modest net debt position of AUD 73 million at the end of fiscal 2021. Gearing and leverage remain conservative. We forecast net debt/equity of 2% and net debt/EBITDA of approximately 0.07 times at fiscal 2022 year-end. As such, substantial headroom exists relative to New Hope’s leverage covenant–calibrated at 2.75 times net debt/EBITDA. Our base case factors a long-term coal price of USD 69 per metric ton and the first AUD 200 million of New Acland stage 3 development capital expenditure in fiscal 2022.

Bulls Say 

  • Asia’s growth will see demand for coal in the region remain steady for decades to come. 
  • New Hope’s operating assets enjoy decent positioning on the global thermal coal cost curve. 
  • The ramp-up of production at Bengalla toward 15 million ROM metric tons per year could provide better unit costs.

Company Profile

New Hope Corporation is an Australian pure-play thermal coal miner. Its two operating assets–the 100%-owned New Acland coal mine and its 80% interest in the Bengalla coal mine–produce a cumulative 12 million metric tons of salable thermal coal annually. The vast majority of New Hope’s production is sold into seaborne thermal coal export markets. Reserves at New Acland and Bengalla are sufficient to support multi-decade mine lives. New Hope’s undeveloped coal resources are extensive and include exploration status coal resources in excess of 1 billion metric tons in Queensland’s Surat basin.

 (Source: Morningstar)

General Advice Warning

Any advice/ information provided is general in nature only and does not take into account the personal financial situation, objectives or needs of any particular person.

Categories
Funds Funds

During equity market sell-offs, Man AHL Alpha provided downside protection

 The strategy’s research program is driven by teams from other asset classes or themes (Specialist Strategies, Portfolio Management, Equities, Fast Strategies and Core Strategies) who are responsible for their respective models (existing and new models). The portfolio managers of the AHL Alpha Program are Matthew Sargaison, Co-CEO of Man AHL and Russell Korgaonkar, CIO of Man AHL.  

Investment Process 

The Strategy invests in approximately 500 international markets across a range of sectors, utilizing instruments such as securities, futures, options, forward contracts, swaps, CFDs and other financial derivatives. The Strategy can also gain exposure to sectors via stocks, debt, bonds, currencies, short-term interest rates, energies, metals, credit and agriculture.

Historical low correlation to traditional assets classes such as equities and bonds

Given the focus on Diversification, capital is allocated using a quantitative and systematic methodology to maximise diversification and avoid investment style bais. This aims to deliver low correlation to traditional assets such as equities and bonds.

Solid Performance 

Historically, the fund has delivered strong returns in equity market selloffs, albeit past performance is not an indicator of future performance, it is an indicator that the strategy has performed in the past. The fund delivered significant downside protection during market sell-offs – Covid – 19 market selloffs +5.8 per cent v/s S&P 500 Index -19.6 per cent v/s MSCI World -19.6 percent, fourth quarter in 2018 selloff +3 percent v/s S&P 500 Index -13.5 percent v/s MSCI World -12.9 percent, Eurpean debt crisis +5.3 percent v/s S&P 500 -13.8 percent v/s MSCI World -15.4 percent and GFC +25 percent v/s S&P 500 Index -49.2 percent v/s MSCI World -49.3 percent.

Downside Risks

  • Significant turnover in the Broader Investment team.
  • Investment strategy (trading systems) fails to yield alpha.
  • Uses of derivatives and leverage adds additional risks and complexity.

Investment Approach 

Fund Performance

Figure 1: Fund performance (as ofAug-21)–strategy has an absolute return target

(%)Fund (net)
1-mths+0.0%
Year-to-date (YTD)+6.5%
1-year+10.4%
3-year (p.a.)+7.3%
5-year (p.a.)+4.3%
Inception (p.a.)+5.2%
Annualised volatility 8.8%

Source: Man Group

About the Fund

The fund employs a systematic, statistically based investment strategy to exploit technical or price driven signals across a diverse range of global markets. The main strategy used in trend following i.e price trends (up or down) repeatable pattern ~ 500 international markets the fund can access. The portfolio invests in instruments such as Securities, Futures, Options, Forward contracts, Swaps, CFD and other derivatives, the strategy has an absolute return focus with target volatility of 10% p.a.

Company Profile 

Man group is a global investment manager offering investors a diverse range of specialist active strategies and manages over US$135 billion globally. The company has headquarters in London but a globally network of offices. The company employs an extensive team of scientists, technologies and financial professionals.

General Advice Warning

Any advice/ information provided is general in nature only and does not take into account the personal financial situation, objectives or needs of any particular person.

Categories
Fixed Income Fixed Income

Janus Henderson Tactical Income Fund: An absolute return fund aiming to outperform benchmark

Two young women talking together with a tablet in the living room. They sit spaced apart to prevent the virus.

that makes tactical asset allocation decisions between cash, duration, and higher yielding investments to produce returns in both rising and sliding bond yield environments.. The strategy aims to outperform the Benchmark in terms of net total return over rolling three-year periods by investing primarily in Australian fixed income securities.

Investment Philosophy + Process:

The Manager believes that taking a flexible approach to asset allocation allows the team to better manage fixed interest exposure and enhance returns depending on market.

The Fund’s investment and portfolio construction process consists of:

Stage 1: Strategy Formulation: The team ranks the active duration and credit positions of their core Australian Fixed Interest Income strategy. 

Stage 2: Risk Calibration: Determine asset allocation using the ranking. 

Stage 3: Implementation: Invest in range of cash, fixed interest and higher yielding securities, based on investments decisions from the following:

  • Interest rates: (holding longer duration securities versus shorter-dated paper).
  • Sectors:  (government securities versus non-government given the risk premium).
  • Securities: (given the underlying risk/reward, select appropriate non-government securities). 

Portfolio Characteristics:

Portfolio Characteristics                              Details
Benchmark50% Bloomberg Composite 0 + 50% Bloomberg Bank Bill
Alpa target p.a.n.m (pree –fees)1.0%
Minimum suggested time frame3 years
Alpha source30% Rates + 30% Sector / Security selection + 40% Asset Allocation
Minimum weighted average credit qualityBBB

(Source: Janus Henderson)

Investment team:

The Janus Henderson Australian fixed interest team, headed by Jay Sivapalan, is highly experienced and well resourced. 

The environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors are factored into the credit decision-making process. The Manager adheres to the “quality before price” attitude, and hence considers ESG factors to be critical in their four-pillar bottom-up credit analysis. The four pillars are as follows:

  • Competitive Advantage and Industry Dynamics 
  • Financial Risk 
  • Management Profile 
  • ESG Risk

Asset and sector allocation:

C:\Users\Akhila\Downloads\TODAY 2.png

(Source: Janus Henders)

 Fund Performance(as of august2021:net) and current positioning:

PercentageFundBenchmarkOutperformance
1-month-0.09%0.05%-0.14%
3-month0.15%1.28%-1.13%
6-month0.74%2.11%-1.37%
1-year1.28%0.56%+0.72%
3-year (p.a.)2.60%2.68%-0.08%
5-year (p.a.)2.60%2.28%+0.32%
Inception4.72%3.93%+0.79%


(Source: Janus Henderson)

Credit Process:

C:\Users\Akhila\Downloads\credit process.png

(Source: Janus Henderson)

Downside Risks:

  • Investment strategy selection fails to yield alpha.
  • Lead PM departsor significant turnover in the broader investment team
  • Manager fails to make the right duration (short or long) call over an extended period of time. 
  • Credit and interest rate risk

Company Profile:

Janus Henderson is a worldwide asset management company with over 340 investment experts who specialise in all major asset types. Its individual, intermediary, and institutional clients come from all over the world and entrust it with over $500 billion in assets. Over the course of market cycles, Janus Henderson’s commitment to active management allows customers to outperform passive strategies. Its managers use their skills to analyse risk vs reward potential in times of both market calm and growing uncertainty, ensuring customers are on the right side of change.

General Advice Warning

Any advice/ information provided is general in nature only and does not take into account the personal financial situation, objectives or needs of any particular person.

Categories
Funds Funds

The Fund provides investors an opportunity to diversify and distil grow

the portion of return attributed to the S&P/ASX 20 Leaders Index, by 4% p.a. after fees on a rolling 3-year basis. The Fund invests primarily in Australian shares with high quality business models, strong growth, and underestimated earnings momentum and prospects.

Portfolio 

This strategy looks very different from the S&P/ASX Small Ordinaries Index. First, it has traditionally held a significant stake in midsize and larger companies excluding the top 20.Bennelong believes it can capitalise on mispricing through superior fundamental research. The pronounced growth leaning also contributes to this vehicle’s differentiated look. It has traditionally led to an (unsurprising) aversion to the property trust, consumer staples, and utilities sectors. That said, A-REITs have featured on occasion, such as in mid-2019. Consumer discretionary, technology, and healthcare stocks are typically favoured, the attraction being both cyclical and structural growth. This is usually the source of the portfolio appearing expensive relative to the benchmark and peers. The search for growth can lead to mistakes; in such events, liquidity in small-cap names can reduce nimbleness for this strategy given its large asset base. The team is not averse to altering large positions quickly when its view on earnings growth changes. For instance, in early 2021, Bennelong cut the 10% allocation in Afterpay when business execution disappointed and competition increased. This fund is best used in a supporting player role. The firm manages around AUD 8.8 billion, including AUD 4.6 billion in this strategy as of 30 April 2021.

Performance 

The long-term performance at Bennelong is strong. Given the strategy excludes the 20 largest Australian companies, the portfolio has a larger-cap feel than more-dedicated small-cap offerings. As a result, performance comparisons against its equity Australia mid/small-growth Morningstar Category peers should be undertaken cautiously. Bennelong outdid the index and most peers during 2015 and the first half of 2016 thanks to such positions as Domino’s and Aristocrat Leisure. The second half of 2016 was a stumble for Bennelong (and many peers), as resources and value stocks outperformed. The following two years saw it ride the highs of stocks like Treasury Wine Estates, Costa Group, and BWX only to abruptly see their share prices plummet contributing to middling years of performance. Mark East cut the first two names but held BWX as better fundamentals were expected. More recently, 2019 delivered average returns, as Corporate Travel Management detracted while Goodman Group added significant value as investors supported its industrial real estate exposure. However, longtime holdings in James Hardie, IDP Education, and Domino’s delivered in spades in 2020 as the market sought quality growth companies and the fund blazed past both the index and peers. Together with Fisher & Paykel healthcare, Bennelong has continued its outstanding run into the first half of 2021.

Source: Mornigstar

General Advice Warning

Any advice/ information provided is general in nature only and does not take into account the personal financial situation, objectives or needs of any particular person.