Tag: Australian Market
Business Strategy & Outlook:
A confluence of several issues—poor relative active investment performance, the growth of low-cost index-based products, and the expanding power of the retail-advised channel—has made it increasingly difficult for active asset managers to generate organic growth, leaving them more dependent on market gains to increase their assets under management. While there will always be room for active management, think the advantage for getting and maintaining placement on platforms will go to managers that have greater scale, established brands, solid long-term performance, and reasonable fees. As such, it’s been big proponents of consolidation among the U.S.-based asset managers the past several years, with firms expected to pursue scale as a means of offsetting the impact of fee and margin compression (driven by the growth of low-cost passive products). However, a combination of narrow-moat Franklin Resources with no-moat Legg Mason was not even on the radar; it is believed both firms were more likely acquirers of smaller asset managers as opposed to either one being an acquisition target.
The combined firm closed out April 2022 with $1.456 trillion in managed assets, composed primarily of equity (32%), fixed-income (39%), multi-asset/balanced (10%) funds, alternatives (15%) and money market funds (4%), giving it the size and scale necessary to be competitive. The new Franklin provides investment management services to retail (52% of managed assets), institutional (46%) and high-net-worth (2%) clients and is one of the more global firms of the U.S.-based asset managers with more than 35% of its AUM invested in global/international strategies and 25% of managed assets sourced from clients domiciled outside the U.S. While the Legg Mason deal to keep margins from deteriorating in the face of industrywide fee compression and rising costs (necessary to improve investment performance and enhance product distribution), near-term organic growth will struggle to stay positive, albeit better than the solidly negative growth profile for a stand-alone Franklin Resources.
Financial Strengths:
Franklin entered fiscal 2022 with $3.2 billion in principal debt (including debt issued/acquired as part of the Legg Mason deal): $300 million of 2.8% notes due September2022, $250 million of 3.95% notes due July 2024, $400 million of 2.85% notes due March 2025, $450 million of 4.75% notes due March 2026, $850 million of 1.6% notes due October 2030, $550 million of 5.625% notes due January 2044, and $350 million of 2.95% notes due August 2051. At the end of March 2022, the firm had $5.8 billion in cash and investments on its books. More than half of thesetypes of assets have traditionally been held overseas, with as much as one third of that half used to meet regulator capital requirements, seed capital for new funds, or supplyfunding for acquisitions. Assuming Franklin closes out the year and, it will enter fiscal 2023 with a debt/total capital ratio of around 22%, interest coverage of around 20 times, and a debt/EBITDA ratio of 1.5 times. Franklin has generally returned excess capital to shareholders as share repurchases and dividends. During the past 10 fiscal years, the firm repurchased $7.4 billion of common stock and paid out $7.1 billion as dividends(including special dividends). While Franklin’s current payout ratio of 30%-35% is lower than the 40% average payout (when excluding special dividends) during the past five years, and only low-single-digit annual increases in the dividend until the integration of the Legg Mason deal is well behind it. As for share repurchases, Franklin spent $208 million, $219 million, and $755 million buying back 7.3 million, 9.0 million, and 24.6 million shares, respectively, during fiscal 2021, 2020, and 2019. Given the likelihood that Franklin may decide to pay off some of its debt as it comes due the next several years, and it isn’t expect to see a large level of share repurchases in the near term.
Bulls Say:
- Franklin Resources is one of the 20 largest U.S.-based asset managers, with more than two thirds of its AUM sourced from domestic clients. It is also the fifth- largest global manager of cross-border funds.
- The purchase of Legg Mason has lifted Franklin’s AUM to around $1.5 trillion, hoisting it into the second- largest tier of U.S.-based asset managers, which includes firms like Pimco, Capital Group, and J.P. Morgan Asset Management.
- Franklin maintains thousands of active financial advisor relationships worldwide and has close to 1,000 institutional client relationships.
Company Description:
Franklin Resources provides investment services for individual and institutional investors. At the end of April 2022, Franklin had $1.456 trillion in managed assets, composed primarily of equity (32%), fixed-income (39%), multi-asset/balanced (10%) funds, alternatives (15%) and money market funds (4%). Distribution tends to be weighted more toward retail investors (52% of AUM) investors, as opposed to institutional (46%) and high-net-worth (2%) clients. Franklin is also one of the more global firms of the U.S.-based asset managers, with more than 35% of its AUM invested in global/international strategies and 25% of managed assets sourced from clients domiciled outside the United States.
(Source: Morningstar)
DISCLAIMER for General Advice: (This document is for general advice only).
This document is provided by Laverne Securities Pty Ltd T/as Laverne Investing. Laverne Securities Pty Ltd, CAR 001269781 of Laverne Capital Pty Ltd AFSL No. 482937.
The material in this document may contain general advice or recommendations which, while believed to be accurate at the time of publication, are not appropriate for all persons or accounts. This document does not purport to contain all the information that a prospective investor may require. The material contained in this document does not take into consideration an investor’s objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on the advice, investors should consider the appropriateness of the advice, having regard to the investor’s objectives, financial situation, and needs. The material contained in this document is for sales purposes. The material contained in this document is for information purposes only and is not an offer, solicitation or recommendation with respect to the subscription for, purchase or sale of securities or financial products and neither or anything in it shall form the basis of any contract or commitment. This document should not be regarded by recipients as a substitute for the exercise of their own judgment and recipients should seek independent advice.
The material in this document has been obtained from sources believed to be true but neither Laverne and Banyan Tree nor its associates make any recommendation or warranty concerning the accuracy or reliability or completeness of the information or the performance of the companies referred to in this document. Past performance is not indicative of future performance. Any opinions and or recommendations expressed in this material are subject to change without notice and, Laverne and Banyan Tree are not under any obligation to update or keep current the information contained herein. References made to third parties are based on information believed to be reliable but are not guaranteed as being accurate.
Laverne and Banyan Tree and its respective officers may have an interest in the securities or derivatives of any entities referred to in this material. Laverne and Banyan Tree do and seek to do business with companies that are the subject of its research reports. The analyst(s) hereby certify that all the views expressed in this report accurately reflect their personal views about the subject investment theme and/or company securities.
Although every attempt has been made to verify the accuracy of the information contained in the document, liability for any errors or omissions (except any statutory liability which cannot be excluded) is specifically excluded by Laverne and Banyan Tree, its associates, officers, directors, employees, and agents. Except for any liability which cannot be excluded, Laverne and Banyan Tree, its directors, employees and agents accept no liability or responsibility for any loss or damage of any kind, direct or indirect, arising out of the use of all or any part of this material. Recipients of this document agree in advance that Laverne and Banyan Tree are not liable to recipients in any matters whatsoever otherwise; recipients should disregard, destroy or delete this document. All information is correct at the time of publication. Laverne and Banyan Tree do not guarantee reliability and accuracy of the material contained in this document and are not liable for any unintentional errors in the document.
The securities of any company(ies) mentioned in this document may not be eligible for sale in all jurisdictions or to all categories of investors. This document is provided to the recipient only and is not to be distributed to third parties without the prior consent of Laverne and Banyan Tree.
Investment Objective
Vanguard Australian Shares Index Fund seeks to track the return of the S&P/ASX 300 Index before taking into account fees, expenses and tax.
Investment Strategy and Investment Return Objective
The Fund seeks to track the return of the S&P/ASX 300 Index before taking into account fees, expenses, and tax. The S&P/ASX 300 Index includes the large cap, mid cap and small cap components of the S&P/ASX index family. The Fund will hold all of the securities in the index most of the time, allowing for individual security weightings to vary marginally from the index from time to time. The Fund may invest in securities that have been removed from or are expected to be included in the index. The Fund may engage in securities lending. Securities lending is a common practice where holders of securities make short term loans of shares in return for a fee, to incrementally increase returns to investors.
Performance Return
About Fund:
Vanguard Investments Australia Ltd (“Vanguard”) is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Vanguard Group, Inc. The Vanguard Group, Inc. is one of the world’s largest global investment management companies, with more than AUD $8.6 trillion in assets under management as of 31 March 2020. In Australia, Vanguard has been serving financial advisers, retail clients and institutional investors for more than 20 years. Vanguard is the responsible entity of the Fund. As responsible entity, Vanguard is solely responsible for the management and administration of the Fund. Vanguard is also the investment manager for the Fund and has appointed other entities within the Vanguard group of companies to provide investment management related services to the Fund. Investors will be notified of any future change in the investment manager of the Fund and this PDS will be updated accordingly.
(Source: https://www.vanguard.com.au/)
DISCLAIMER for General Advice: (This document is for general advice only).
This document is provided by Laverne Securities Pty Ltd T/as Laverne Investing. Laverne Securities Pty Ltd, CAR 001269781 of Laverne Capital Pty Ltd AFSL No. 482937.
The material in this document may contain general advice or recommendations which, while believed to be accurate at the time of publication, are not appropriate for all persons or accounts. This document does not purport to contain all the information that a prospective investor may require. The material contained in this document does not take into consideration an investor’s objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on the advice, investors should consider the appropriateness of the advice, having regard to the investor’s objectives, financial situation, and needs. The material contained in this document is for sales purposes. The material contained in this document is for information purposes only and is not an offer, solicitation or recommendation with respect to the subscription for, purchase or sale of securities or financial products and neither or anything in it shall form the basis of any contract or commitment. This document should not be regarded by recipients as a substitute for the exercise of their own judgment and recipients should seek independent advice.
The material in this document has been obtained from sources believed to be true but neither Laverne and Banyan Tree nor its associates make any recommendation or warranty concerning the accuracy or reliability or completeness of the information or the performance of the companies referred to in this document. Past performance is not indicative of future performance. Any opinions and or recommendations expressed in this material are subject to change without notice and, Laverne and Banyan Tree are not under any obligation to update or keep current the information contained herein. References made to third parties are based on information believed to be reliable but are not guaranteed as being accurate.
Laverne and Banyan Tree and its respective officers may have an interest in the securities or derivatives of any entities referred to in this material. Laverne and Banyan Tree do and seek to do business with companies that are the subject of its research reports. The analyst(s) hereby certify that all the views expressed in this report accurately reflect their personal views about the subject investment theme and/or company securities.
Although every attempt has been made to verify the accuracy of the information contained in the document, liability for any errors or omissions (except any statutory liability which cannot be excluded) is specifically excluded by Laverne and Banyan Tree, its associates, officers, directors, employees, and agents. Except for any liability which cannot be excluded, Laverne and Banyan Tree, its directors, employees and agents accept no liability or responsibility for any loss or damage of any kind, direct or indirect, arising out of the use of all or any part of this material. Recipients of this document agree in advance that Laverne and Banyan Tree are not liable to recipients in any matters whatsoever otherwise; recipients should disregard, destroy or delete this document. All information is correct at the time of publication. Laverne and Banyan Tree do not guarantee reliability and accuracy of the material contained in this document and are not liable for any unintentional errors in the document.
The securities of any company(ies) mentioned in this document may not be eligible for sale in all jurisdictions or to all categories of investors. This document is provided to the recipient only and is not to be distributed to third parties without the prior consent of Laverne and Banyan Tree.
Investment Objective
MVW invests in a diversified portfolio of ASX-listed securities with the aim of providing investment returns before fees and other costs that track the performance of the MVIS Australia Equal Weight Index. The index is a pure-play rules-based index that combines benchmark with blue-chip characteristics by tracking the performance of the largest and most liquid ASX-listed companies across all sectors, including offshore companies which generate at least 50% of their revenues or assets from the Australian market. Companies in the Index are weighted equally.
Portfolio Analysis
Performance
In the highly concentrated Australian equities market, equally weighting a portfolio delivers investors significantly improved diversification and reduced stock and sector concentration, resulting in superior investment outcomes compared to tracking a market capitalisation weighted index, such as the S&P/ASX 200 Accumulation Index (S&P/ASX 200). There is a large volume of academic and investment industry research that concludes equal weight outperforms market capitalisation for the following reasons:
• it provides exposure away from mega and larger caps to smaller cap with more growth potential;
• it provides exposure to value stocks; and
• it is an inherently contra trading strategy involving frequent rebalancing that takes profits from winners and increases exposure to losers to maintain equal weighting. The index MVW tracks, the MVIS Australia Equal Weight Index (MVW Index) has demonstrated long term outperformance compared to the S&P/ASX 200.
About Fund:
The VanEck Australian Equal Weight ETF invests in a diversified portfolio of ASX-listed securities with the aim of providing investment returns (before management costs) that closely track the returns of the MVIS Australia Equal Weight Index. The MVIS Australia Equal Weight Index is a pure-play index that includes the largest and most liquid ASX-listed companies, combining benchmark with blue-chip characteristics, purpose-built to capture the true performance of the Australian equities market, with real diversification across both securities and sectors. Individual Index components are determined using a stringent rules-based methodology focusing on liquidity, with a minimum of 25 holdings, weighted equally. The unique pure-play approach expands local exposure to include offshore companies with a listing in Australia which generate at least 50% of their revenues (or – where applicable – have at least 50% of their assets) in this market. An investment in the ETF carries risks associated with: financial markets generally, individual company management, industry sectors, fund operations and tracking an index.
(Source: https://www.vaneck.com.au/ )
DISCLAIMER for General Advice: (This document is for general advice only).
This document is provided by Laverne Securities Pty Ltd T/as Laverne Investing. Laverne Securities Pty Ltd, CAR 001269781 of Laverne Capital Pty Ltd AFSL No. 482937.
The material in this document may contain general advice or recommendations which, while believed to be accurate at the time of publication, are not appropriate for all persons or accounts. This document does not purport to contain all the information that a prospective investor may require. The material contained in this document does not take into consideration an investor’s objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on the advice, investors should consider the appropriateness of the advice, having regard to the investor’s objectives, financial situation, and needs. The material contained in this document is for sales purposes. The material contained in this document is for information purposes only and is not an offer, solicitation or recommendation with respect to the subscription for, purchase or sale of securities or financial products and neither or anything in it shall form the basis of any contract or commitment. This document should not be regarded by recipients as a substitute for the exercise of their own judgment and recipients should seek independent advice.
The material in this document has been obtained from sources believed to be true but neither Laverne and Banyan Tree nor its associates make any recommendation or warranty concerning the accuracy or reliability or completeness of the information or the performance of the companies referred to in this document. Past performance is not indicative of future performance. Any opinions and or recommendations expressed in this material are subject to change without notice and, Laverne and Banyan Tree are not under any obligation to update or keep current the information contained herein. References made to third parties are based on information believed to be reliable but are not guaranteed as being accurate.
Laverne and Banyan Tree and its respective officers may have an interest in the securities or derivatives of any entities referred to in this material. Laverne and Banyan Tree do and seek to do business with companies that are the subject of its research reports. The analyst(s) hereby certify that all the views expressed in this report accurately reflect their personal views about the subject investment theme and/or company securities.
Although every attempt has been made to verify the accuracy of the information contained in the document, liability for any errors or omissions (except any statutory liability which cannot be excluded) is specifically excluded by Laverne and Banyan Tree, its associates, officers, directors, employees, and agents. Except for any liability which cannot be excluded, Laverne and Banyan Tree, its directors, employees and agents accept no liability or responsibility for any loss or damage of any kind, direct or indirect, arising out of the use of all or any part of this material. Recipients of this document agree in advance that Laverne and Banyan Tree are not liable to recipients in any matters whatsoever otherwise; recipients should disregard, destroy or delete this document. All information is correct at the time of publication. Laverne and Banyan Tree do not guarantee reliability and accuracy of the material contained in this document and are not liable for any unintentional errors in the document.
The securities of any company(ies) mentioned in this document may not be eligible for sale in all jurisdictions or to all categories of investors. This document is provided to the recipient only and is not to be distributed to third parties without the prior consent of Laverne and Banyan Tree.
Business Strategy & Outlook
The Avita’s RECELL to pose a significant challenge to the standard of care for larger burns, currently a skin graft sourced from elsewhere on the patient’s body. The Avita will be successful based on the product’s clinical performance, ease of use and relative price point. RECELL creates Spray-on Skin within 30 minutes from a skin sample, typically less than 5% of the size required in a graft. It has been clinically demonstrated to heal the burn site as effectively as a skin graft without creating a large donor site wound.
Despite the technology in Avita’s RECELL system being in use since the Bali bombings in 2002, the product has had limited commercial success as it entered the market as an investigational device. This limited the reimbursement and take-up of the product. RECELL relaunched in the U.S. following randomized clinical trials and FDA approval in late 2018. Currently, it’s approved for treating second and third degree burns in pediatric and adult patients.
The treatment of severe burns in the U.S. is concentrated across the 136 burn centers, making commercial roll-out of RECELL straightforward. Of the approximately 14,000 adults with second- or third-degree burns treated at these burn centers each year and Avita could ramp-up to 34% share or 4,800 patients per year by fiscal 2026. The cost of RECELL compares favorably with a skin graft in this setting, as RECELL has a list price of USD 7,500 per single-use unit versus the USD 17,000 to USD 20,000 cost of a skin graft. It also has the benefits of shorter length of stay and fewer
additional procedures.
Outside of burn centers, the opportunity set is far more fragmented and because the burns are less severe, the cost of skin grafts average USD 2,000. As such a limited take-up outside of burn centres, reaching 3% by fiscal 2031. Avita has received regulatory approval for an updated RECELL device that makes handling easier in a regular hospital environment. The company will seek to justify reimbursement on a holistic cost of treatment and roll out the updated version in second-half fiscal 2022.outpatients.
Financial Strengths
Having raised AUD 120 million in equity funding in November 2019, and a further USD 69 million in February 2021, Avita is in a solid financial position with no debt, and USD 95 million in cash and marketable securities as at March 31, 2021. Based on roll-out and product launch dates, no one can expect Avita will need to raise further capital before becoming self-maintaining. The operations of the company to be a net consumer of cash in fiscal years 2022, 2023, and 2024 as it scales up operations, and become free cash flow positive thereafter. Key operational cash requirements include the salesforce and clinical trials and approvals for new indications. There
is little capital investment required as the owned factory where it assembles the RECELL systems in the U.S., is currently running at only 10% capacity. Consequently, one cannot expect it will require additional physical space for the next five years. Avita does not pay a dividend and one cannot forecast this to change. The company will become free cash flow positive in the forthcoming years, it will choose to reinvest this either in expanding geographies or new indications outside the scope of the current trials, such as cosmetic dermatology.
Bulls Say
- The Avita’s RECELL system as a sound alternative treatment for large second- and third-degree burns treated in burn centers. It compares favorably on price and ease of use with new products and the existing standard of care being skin grafts.
- The company requires little invested capital and is expected to generate very high returns once it ramps up its commercial roll-out.
- RECELL has achieved an estimated 20% market share in fiscal 2021 in its key addressable market since launching in 2019 and set to expand its use for other indications.
Company Description
Avita is a single product company. Its RECELL system is an innovative burn treatment device which creates Spray-on Skin from a small skin sample within 30 minutes, thus avoiding or reducing the need for skin grafts. It’s approved for the treatment of adult patients in the U.S. with pediatric clinical trials and expanded indications in soft-tissue reconstruction and vitiligo underway. It is currently in roll-out across the approximately 136 U.S. burn centers. Despite having product approval in Australia, Europe, Canada, and China, Avita is not actively marketing in those territories and focusing instead on the U.S. region. However, it is expected to launch in Japan via distribution partner Cosmotec in second-half fiscal 2022. Avita is domiciled, and has its primary listing, in the U.S.
(Source: Morningstar)
DISCLAIMER for General Advice: (This document is for general advice only).
This document is provided by Laverne Securities Pty Ltd T/as Laverne Investing. Laverne Securities Pty Ltd, CAR 001269781 of Laverne Capital Pty Ltd AFSL No. 482937.
The material in this document may contain general advice or recommendations which, while believed to be accurate at the time of publication, are not appropriate for all persons or accounts. This document does not purport to contain all the information that a prospective investor may require. The material contained in this document does not take into consideration an investor’s objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on the advice, investors should consider the appropriateness of the advice, having regard to the investor’s objectives, financial situation, and needs. The material contained in this document is for sales purposes. The material contained in this document is for information purposes only and is not an offer, solicitation or recommendation with respect to the subscription for, purchase or sale of securities or financial products and neither or anything in it shall form the basis of any contract or commitment. This document should not be regarded by recipients as a substitute for the exercise of their own judgment and recipients should seek independent advice.
The material in this document has been obtained from sources believed to be true but neither Laverne and Banyan Tree nor its associates make any recommendation or warranty concerning the accuracy or reliability or completeness of the information or the performance of the companies referred to in this document. Past performance is not indicative of future performance. Any opinions and or recommendations expressed in this material are subject to change without notice and, Laverne and Banyan Tree are not under any obligation to update or keep current the information contained herein. References made to third parties are based on information believed to be reliable but are not guaranteed as being accurate.
Laverne and Banyan Tree and its respective officers may have an interest in the securities or derivatives of any entities referred to in this material. Laverne and Banyan Tree do and seek to do business with companies that are the subject of its research reports. The analyst(s) hereby certify that all the views expressed in this report accurately reflect their personal views about the subject investment theme and/or company securities.
Although every attempt has been made to verify the accuracy of the information contained in the document, liability for any errors or omissions (except any statutory liability which cannot be excluded) is specifically excluded by Laverne and Banyan Tree, its associates, officers, directors, employees, and agents. Except for any liability which cannot be excluded, Laverne and Banyan Tree, its directors, employees and agents accept no liability or responsibility for any loss or damage of any kind, direct or indirect, arising out of the use of all or any part of this material. Recipients of this document agree in advance that Laverne and Banyan Tree are not liable to recipients in any matters whatsoever otherwise; recipients should disregard, destroy or delete this document. All information is correct at the time of publication. Laverne and Banyan Tree do not guarantee reliability and accuracy of the material contained in this document and are not liable for any unintentional errors in the document.
The securities of any company(ies) mentioned in this document may not be eligible for sale in all jurisdictions or to all categories of investors. This document is provided to the recipient only and is not to be distributed to third parties without the prior consent of Laverne and Banyan Tree.
Fund Objective
BEAR seeks to generate returns that are negatively correlated to the returns of the Australian share market. The Fund expects to generate a positive return when the S&P/ASX Accumulation 200 Index falls (and a negative return when the index rises).
The BetaShares Bear Funds are designed to provide returns that are negatively correlated with the Australian or U.S. share market, and so may be used to help protect against, or profit from, share market declines. It is important for investors in a Bear Fund to understand its features, including how it is priced, and that it targets a return over a one-day period only. Additionally, BetaShares strongly recommends investors review the relevant PDS and consider the risks associated with an investment in the relevant Bear Fund. These include the risk of negatively correlated returns, market risk, futures risk and gearing risk (in the case of BBOZ/BBUS). Investors should also check the BetaShares website for details of the Fund’s historical performance, as well as the current portfolio exposure, to ensure that the Fund continues to meet their investment objectives.
Strategy
BEAR is an ‘inverse ETF’. It invests in cash and cash equivalents and sells equity index futures contracts (i.e. ASX SPI 200 futures) to obtain its exposure. Selling these futures can typically be expected to generate a positive return when the S&P/ASX Accumulation 200 Index declines on a given day, and a negative return when the Index increases. A 1% fall in the Australian share market on a given day can generally be expected to deliver a 0.9% to 1.1% increase in the value of BEAR (and vice versa).
BetaShares Funds can be bought or sold during the trading day on the ASX, and trade like shares. ASX CODE BEAR BLOOMBERG CODE BEAR AU IRESS CODE BEAR.AXW IRESS INAV CODE BEARINAV.ETF DISTRIBUTIONS ANNUAL MGT FEE 1.19% P.A. EXPENSES CAPPED AT 0.19% P.A. INDIRECT COSTS 0.10% P.A. FUND INCEPTION 6 JUL 12 BENCHMARK S&P/ASX ACCUMULATION 200.
Portfolio
BetaShares offers four series of model portfolios, each of which seeks to achieve capital growth and income streams through a careful blending of asset classes, including Australian and international equities, bonds, cash and commodities. The models are constructed using ETFs and other exchange-traded products, resulting in institutional-quality portfolios that are cost-effective, highly diversified, transparent, and simple to explain to clients.
People
Adam O’Connor is a member of the BetaShares Distribution team responsible for supporting Institutional and Intermediary Broker and Adviser channels. Prior to joining BetaShares, Adam worked in stockbroking and advisory with Bell Potter Securities. Adam holds a Bachelor of Laws with Honours and a Bachelor of Business (Finance) from the Queensland University of Technology. Adam also holds a Diploma of Stockbroking from Deakin University and is an accredited Financial Adviser in Securities and Managed Investments and Superannuation. Brendan is responsible for growing and servicing BetaShares Adviser business clients across Western Australia. In this role, Brendan is focused on educating advisers about the role and benefits of ETF’s and SMA’s in client portfolios and sharing updates on the expanding range of strategies available across the BetaShares product suite.
Alex is a member of the BetaShares Distribution team, responsible for supporting Institutional and Intermediary Broker channels. Alexander is a member of the BetaShares Distribution team, responsible for client inquiries and supporting the sales team. Alistair is a member of the BetaShares Distribution team, responsible for supporting Institutional and Intermediary Broker channels, as well as supporting the firm’s capital markets activities. Benjamin is a member of the BetaShares Distribution team, responsible for assisting with client inquiries. Craig is responsible for growing and servicing BetaShares Adviser business clients across Queensland. In this role, Craig is focused on educating advisers about the role and benefits of ETF’s in client portfolios, and sharing updates on the expanding range of strategies available across the BetaShares product suite.
Performance
Past performance is not an indicator of future performance. Returns are calculated in Australian dollars using net asset value per unit at the start and end of the specified period and do not reflect brokerage or the bid ask spread that investor incur when buying and selling units on the ASX. Returns are after fund management costs, assume reinvestment of any distributions and do not take into account tax paid as an investor in the Fund. Returns for periods longer than one year are annualised. Current performance may be higher or lower than the performance shown.
About Fund
BetaShares Funds can be bought or sold during the trading day on the ASX, and trade like shares. ASX CODE BEAR BLOOMBERG CODE BEAR AU IRESS CODE BEAR.AXW IRESS INAV CODE BEARINAV.ETF DISTRIBUTIONS ANNUAL MGT FEE 1.19% P.A. EXPENSES CAPPED AT 0.19% P.A. INDIRECT COSTS 0.10% P.A. FUND INCEPTION 6 JUL 12 BENCHMARK S&P/ASX ACCUMULATION 200.
(Source: Morningstar)
DISCLAIMER for General Advice: (This document is for general advice only).
This document is provided by Laverne Securities Pty Ltd T/as Laverne Investing. Laverne Securities Pty Ltd, CAR 001269781 of Laverne Capital Pty Ltd AFSL No. 482937.
The material in this document may contain general advice or recommendations which, while believed to be accurate at the time of publication, are not appropriate for all persons or accounts. This document does not purport to contain all the information that a prospective investor may require. The material contained in this document does not take into consideration an investor’s objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on the advice, investors should consider the appropriateness of the advice, having regard to the investor’s objectives, financial situation, and needs. The material contained in this document is for sales purposes. The material contained in this document is for information purposes only and is not an offer, solicitation or recommendation with respect to the subscription for, purchase or sale of securities or financial products and neither or anything in it shall form the basis of any contract or commitment. This document should not be regarded by recipients as a substitute for the exercise of their own judgment and recipients should seek independent advice.
The material in this document has been obtained from sources believed to be true but neither Laverne and Banyan Tree nor its associates make any recommendation or warranty concerning the accuracy or reliability or completeness of the information or the performance of the companies referred to in this document. Past performance is not indicative of future performance. Any opinions and or recommendations expressed in this material are subject to change without notice and, Laverne and Banyan Tree are not under any obligation to update or keep current the information contained herein. References made to third parties are based on information believed to be reliable but are not guaranteed as being accurate.
Laverne and Banyan Tree and its respective officers may have an interest in the securities or derivatives of any entities referred to in this material. Laverne and Banyan Tree do and seek to do business with companies that are the subject of its research reports. The analyst(s) hereby certify that all the views expressed in this report accurately reflect their personal views about the subject investment theme and/or company securities.
Although every attempt has been made to verify the accuracy of the information contained in the document, liability for any errors or omissions (except any statutory liability which cannot be excluded) is specifically excluded by Laverne and Banyan Tree, its associates, officers, directors, employees, and agents. Except for any liability which cannot be excluded, Laverne and Banyan Tree, its directors, employees and agents accept no liability or responsibility for any loss or damage of any kind, direct or indirect, arising out of the use of all or any part of this material. Recipients of this document agree in advance that Laverne and Banyan Tree are not liable to recipients in any matters whatsoever otherwise; recipients should disregard, destroy or delete this document. All information is correct at the time of publication. Laverne and Banyan Tree do not guarantee reliability and accuracy of the material contained in this document and are not liable for any unintentional errors in the document.
The securities of any company(ies) mentioned in this document may not be eligible for sale in all jurisdictions or to all categories of investors. This document is provided to the recipient only and is not to be distributed to third parties without the prior consent of Laverne and Banyan Tree.
Business Strategy & Outlook
Munich Re is the largest reinsurer in the world by gross premiums written. A business of this size in an industry that is geared toward diversification rarely has an opportunity to improve returns on equity beyond efficiency. By that, carving out a superior competitive position by utilizing information technology and scale in order to drive down expenses. However, in the case of Munich Re, while the occurrence of this dynamic, the implementation of innovative technology as key to the ongoing strategic positioning and development of the business. The witnessing is institutional knowledge that is being transferred from one specialist area within the business to a division that is more commonly associated as a commodity. In the years that this transfer has taken place, an improvement in divisional operating metrics. For the business unit in question, the calculate this as operating profit over gross premiums written.
More broadly, over the past two decades, the only one of Munich Re’s divisions has earned its cost of capital: nonlife reinsurance. Here, the division has earned above the 9.0% cost of equity that the group level, whereas returns to shareholders in the life reinsurance division have fallen far below.
Financial Strengths
The Munich Re is generally in good financial health with a strong solvency position and the lowest leverage within the coverage of European reinsurers.
Bulls Say
- Munich Re has one of the strongest management teams that have come across in European insurance coverage.
- There is a strong focus on innovation in the business that is unusual for a company of this size.
- The turnaround to date of Ergo has been strong. This division is now earning over its cost of capital and there continues to be scope for improvement.
Company Description
Munich Re is one of the largest reinsurance firms in the world and also sells primary insurance.
(Source: Morningstar)
DISCLAIMER for General Advice: (This document is for general advice only).
This document is provided by Laverne Securities Pty Ltd T/as Laverne Investing. Laverne Securities Pty Ltd, CAR 001269781 of Laverne Capital Pty Ltd AFSL No. 482937.
The material in this document may contain general advice or recommendations which, while believed to be accurate at the time of publication, are not appropriate for all persons or accounts. This document does not purport to contain all the information that a prospective investor may require. The material contained in this document does not take into consideration an investor’s objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on the advice, investors should consider the appropriateness of the advice, having regard to the investor’s objectives, financial situation, and needs. The material contained in this document is for sales purposes. The material contained in this document is for information purposes only and is not an offer, solicitation or recommendation with respect to the subscription for, purchase or sale of securities or financial products and neither or anything in it shall form the basis of any contract or commitment. This document should not be regarded by recipients as a substitute for the exercise of their own judgment and recipients should seek independent advice.
The material in this document has been obtained from sources believed to be true but neither Laverne and Banyan Tree nor its associates make any recommendation or warranty concerning the accuracy or reliability or completeness of the information or the performance of the companies referred to in this document. Past performance is not indicative of future performance. Any opinions and or recommendations expressed in this material are subject to change without notice and, Laverne and Banyan Tree are not under any obligation to update or keep current the information contained herein. References made to third parties are based on information believed to be reliable but are not guaranteed as being accurate.
Laverne and Banyan Tree and its respective officers may have an interest in the securities or derivatives of any entities referred to in this material. Laverne and Banyan Tree do and seek to do business with companies that are the subject of its research reports. The analyst(s) hereby certify that all the views expressed in this report accurately reflect their personal views about the subject investment theme and/or company securities.
Although every attempt has been made to verify the accuracy of the information contained in the document, liability for any errors or omissions (except any statutory liability which cannot be excluded) is specifically excluded by Laverne and Banyan Tree, its associates, officers, directors, employees, and agents. Except for any liability which cannot be excluded, Laverne and Banyan Tree, its directors, employees and agents accept no liability or responsibility for any loss or damage of any kind, direct or indirect, arising out of the use of all or any part of this material. Recipients of this document agree in advance that Laverne and Banyan Tree are not liable to recipients in any matters whatsoever otherwise; recipients should disregard, destroy or delete this document. All information is correct at the time of publication. Laverne and Banyan Tree do not guarantee reliability and accuracy of the material contained in this document and are not liable for any unintentional errors in the document.
The securities of any company(ies) mentioned in this document may not be eligible for sale in all jurisdictions or to all categories of investors. This document is provided to the recipient only and is not to be distributed to third parties without the prior consent of Laverne and Banyan Tree.
Business Strategy & Outlook
A wave of COVID-19-induced damages has been inflicted on Flight Centre since March 2020. Government restrictions on travel and border control (international, domestic), grounding of airline capacity and strict lockdown measures on consumers have created an unprecedented squeeze on the group. The measures to execute a drastic reduction in costs (cuts to store network/leases, staff, marketing), combined with the AUD 700 million equity capital raising in April 2020, is enough for the no moat-rated group to weather the malaise.
Flight Centre is one of the world’s largest travel agents, but it still generates substantial earnings in Australia and New Zealand. Unrivalled scale and brand strength in the domestic travel market has delivered buying power and pricing flexibility that resulted in high returns on capital. Flight Centre has a strong network of services that has driven solid end-user traffic and bookings over the past 20 years, but it is not believable that this is sufficient to protect the company against online competitors over the next 10 years. Because of the discretionary nature of travel and high levels of operating leverage, earnings can be very volatile. During the financial crisis, net profit after tax fell to AUD 38 million in fiscal 2009 from AUD 143 million in fiscal 2008. The company is heavily loss-making during the current 2020 pandemic also. This inherent volatility means fair value uncertainty is high.
Flight Centre’s significant scale and extensive store network have made the firm a key distribution channel for travel suppliers and generated cost advantages that enable it to offer competitive prices. However, with the threat from online competitors increasing, the physical stores are likely to increasingly lose relevance longer term. From about 2005, facing a maturing domestic market, the company increased its focus on offshore markets, particularly the United Kingdom and United States. The group made several offshore acquisitions during this period. The company is also increasingly focused on corporate travel, which is more structurally resilient than leisure.
Financial Strengths
As at the end of December 2021, there was AUD 1,059 million of available liquidity, thanks to the AUD 700 million injected by shareholders in April/May 2020 and two convertible bond issues totalling AUD 800 million. This is sufficient liquidity for Flight Centre to see through until late 2023, even if total transaction volume remains at current depressed levels.
Bulls Say
- A strong balance sheet allows Flight Centre to take advantage of weakness in the economic cycle via opportunistic acquisitions or increasing market share via investment in marketing initiatives. It also enables the development of new products to more effectively address specific market segments.
- Brand strength provides a potent underpinning for the blended online/physical store offering.
- Travel agents are customer aggregators. As it is the largest agent in Australia, scale enables Flight Centre to negotiate favorable deals with travel providers.
Company Description
Flight Centre Travel is one of the biggest travel agencies in the world. It operates an extensive network of shops globally, most of them located in Australia, the United States, and Europe. The group participates across the whole spectrum of the travel services market, including leisure travel retailing, in-destination experiences, corporate travel arrangement, and youth travel retailing. The services are facilitated via some 40 brands, with Flight Centre being the flagship brand in the leisure segment and FCM Travel the key brand in the corporate.
(Source: Morningstar)
DISCLAIMER for General Advice: (This document is for general advice only).
This document is provided by Laverne Securities Pty Ltd T/as Laverne Investing. Laverne Securities Pty Ltd, CAR 001269781 of Laverne Capital Pty Ltd AFSL No. 482937.
The material in this document may contain general advice or recommendations which, while believed to be accurate at the time of publication, are not appropriate for all persons or accounts. This document does not purport to contain all the information that a prospective investor may require. The material contained in this document does not take into consideration an investor’s objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on the advice, investors should consider the appropriateness of the advice, having regard to the investor’s objectives, financial situation, and needs. The material contained in this document is for sales purposes. The material contained in this document is for information purposes only and is not an offer, solicitation or recommendation with respect to the subscription for, purchase or sale of securities or financial products and neither or anything in it shall form the basis of any contract or commitment. This document should not be regarded by recipients as a substitute for the exercise of their own judgment and recipients should seek independent advice.
The material in this document has been obtained from sources believed to be true but neither Laverne and Banyan Tree nor its associates make any recommendation or warranty concerning the accuracy or reliability or completeness of the information or the performance of the companies referred to in this document. Past performance is not indicative of future performance. Any opinions and or recommendations expressed in this material are subject to change without notice and, Laverne and Banyan Tree are not under any obligation to update or keep current the information contained herein. References made to third parties are based on information believed to be reliable but are not guaranteed as being accurate.
Laverne and Banyan Tree and its respective officers may have an interest in the securities or derivatives of any entities referred to in this material. Laverne and Banyan Tree do and seek to do business with companies that are the subject of its research reports. The analyst(s) hereby certify that all the views expressed in this report accurately reflect their personal views about the subject investment theme and/or company securities.
Although every attempt has been made to verify the accuracy of the information contained in the document, liability for any errors or omissions (except any statutory liability which cannot be excluded) is specifically excluded by Laverne and Banyan Tree, its associates, officers, directors, employees, and agents. Except for any liability which cannot be excluded, Laverne and Banyan Tree, its directors, employees and agents accept no liability or responsibility for any loss or damage of any kind, direct or indirect, arising out of the use of all or any part of this material. Recipients of this document agree in advance that Laverne and Banyan Tree are not liable to recipients in any matters whatsoever otherwise; recipients should disregard, destroy or delete this document. All information is correct at the time of publication. Laverne and Banyan Tree do not guarantee reliability and accuracy of the material contained in this document and are not liable for any unintentional errors in the document.
The securities of any company(ies) mentioned in this document may not be eligible for sale in all jurisdictions or to all categories of investors. This document is provided to the recipient only and is not to be distributed to third parties without the prior consent of Laverne and Banyan Tree.
