Australian Enhanced Income Fund NAV and Market Commentary for November 2019
The Fund's NAV of a unit at the close of business on 31 December 2019 was $5.951 per unit. Ex-distribution the Fund's NAV of a unit was $5.881. This compares with the NAV of a unit at the close of business on 29 November 2019 of $5.931 per unit. The change in NAV over the period from 29 November 2019 to the close of business on 31 December 2019 represents a return of 0.34%. This compares with the UBS Bank Bill Index rate of return over the same period of 0.07%
The franking benefit for December 2019 was estimated to be 0.16%.
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Elstree Enhanced Income Fund December 2019 Performance Review and Market Commentary
The Elstree Enhanced Income Fund's Net Asset Value (NAV) at the close of business on 31 December 2019 was $0.8288 per unit (Ex - distribution it was $0.8238). This compares with the NAV of a unit on 29 November 2019 of $0.8252. The change in NAV over the period 29 November 2019 to the close of business on 31 December 2019 represents a return of 0.44%. This compares with the All Ordinaries Accumulation Index and the UBS All Maturities Bond Index returns of (1.90%) and (1.64%) respectively.
The Fund's over the year net return (after fees but before adjusting for franking credits) decreased to 6.58% from 7.18% previously.
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Australian Enhanced Income Fund. Change to minimum cash distribution. October 2, 2019
Due to the recent reduction in the official cash rate by the RBA the Responsible Entity (RE) has determined that commencing with the December quarter 2019 the Fund will pay a minimum cash distribution of $0.28 per annum per unit. This compares with the previous distribution of $0.32 per annum per unit.
To read the ASX release in full
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Superannuation funds. Should they lend to corporate Australia?
The idea that the industry super funds fill the funding void created by the capital constrained banks and lend to Australian business is not new.
Anthony Pratt has been championing the cause for quite a while now and so too has Paul Keating. The banks even think it has merit.
While it is a good idea in theory, in practise we think the way the Australian super fund industry is structured will be an impediment.
To read our thoughts in more detail we invite you to click on the link below.
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Research note: 'Why an allocation to floating rate credit makes sense'.
To download a copy of our research note entitled 'Why an allocation to floating rate credit (aka hybrids) makes sense Click Here and follow the prompts.
In our note we examine the correlation between equity and hybrid sector returns and fixed rate bond and hybrid sector returns. We found, not surprisingly, that hybrid returns were uncorrelated to both. While hybrid and fixed rate bond returns are uncorrelated the returns are even more uncorrelated when fixed rate bonds experience a negative return period. This is particularly pertinent if you expect bond yields to rise (prices to fall) from their current levels of just below 4%.
The correlation between equities and hybrids is not as clear cut. The correlation to equities is low except during event shocks such as a GFC type event when the correlation is extremely high. From the equity portfolio perspective the benefit of making an allocation to hybrids is dependent upon your view of the frequency of major event shocks such as the GFC.
Not only does making an allocation to floating rate credit make sense from the risk reduction perspective at the total portfolio level but as a standalone investment it makes sense too. In risk adjusted terms it is extremely difficult to see how Australian floating rate credit can under-perform equities. In view of the current margins and the high term structure of interest rates we think Australian floating rate credit has the potential to out-perform equities not just in risk adjusted terms but in absolute terms as well.
Is it too early to tell if there will be a US Recession or not?
Will there be a US recession or won't there be a recession? While its probably a 50:50 bet at present our interest was decidedly piqued by the most resent Purchasing Managers Index or PMI in the US.
To read our thoughts in more detail please Click here
Research note: 'Measuring tail risk'
To download a copy of our latest research note on quantifying the tail risk of credit protfolios click on the Research Contents page and follow the prompts.
The background is that we wanted to see how the Australian hybrid market would behave if an event shock of the magnitude of the GFC were to be repeated. What we found was that due to structural changes in volatility the market would behave quite differently. We attribute this to the improved credit quality of the sector since the GFC and a raft of factors relating to the deinstitutionalisation, broadening and deleveraging of the investor base.
We were one of the first fund managers to use value at risk or VaR to measure market risk. It is a similar methodology we use to calculate the tail risk of our portfolios.
Elstree on youtube
To follow Campbell Dawson's thoughts on the lastest corporate hybrid security issuance on youtube click on the Research Contents page and follow the prompts.
Elstree in the press
To view our thoughts on global bond market liquidity in an article entitled 'The bond market's liquidity problem' in the the Australian Financial Review (AFR) on Saturday 13 June 2015 click on the link below.
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Latest research note: The luck of the Irish.
We read a note recently from the highly respected JCP Investment Partners. The note suggested that there were parallels to be drawn between the Irish property market, which crashed in 2007 and the Australian property market.
We too are eyeing the Australian property market with a degree of caution and thought we would investigate JCP Investment Partner's argument that the Irish property crash of 2007 could provide a 'road map' for Australia.
We invite you to click on the link below to read our thoughts in more detail.
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4 questions we think investors in ASX listed hybrid securities shoud be asking.
As we begin to make our way to end of the calendar year we think there are 4 pertinent questions that investors in ASX listed hybrid securities should be asking. In our brief we provide answers to the 4 questions.
We welcome and comments you may have.
To read the note simply click on the link below.
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Research note March 2014: Welcome to planet Japan
In summary our latest research note entitled 'Welcome to planet Japan' looks at what the developed world might look like if it continues down the Japanese path of zero interest rates, weak investment and output growth and benign price pressures.
Coined by Larry Summers as 'secular stagnation' the outcome is not a particularly bright one for equity markets. If the Japanese experience is any indication the outcome is somewhat brighter for credit markets as spreads contract amid a decline in default rates.
To read the note simply click on the link below.
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