1. The Responsible Entity will make an off-market buy-back offer each calendar quarter to buy-back up to 5% of the PCX issued capital each calendar quarter. The Responsible Entity will only be able to continue to buy-back 5% of the capital each calendar quarter where it would exceed the 10/12 Limit (10% of the smallest number of units that are on issue at any time during the previous 12 months) if the Responsible Entity has obtained approval by ordinary resolution of unitholders prior to effecting the buy-back. It is the Responsible Entity’s intention to seek unitholder approval when required so that it can continue to buy-back 5% of the issued capital each quarter. If the Responsible Entity receives acceptances for more units than 5% of the issued capital of PCX for any quarterly buy-back offer, the number of each acceptor’s units will be subject to a proportional scale-back.
2. The NAV is unaudited. The NAV is net of distributions paid since inception on 21 June 2024 to the date of this announcement.
3. Portfolio breakdowns show the Trust’s percentage ownership in the investments based on the latest available data provided by the underlying funds. Allocations adjusted to reflect investments that have been called but not settled. ‘Cash’ refers to the Trust’s direct and indirect investment exposure to cash and other liquid assets. The Master Classes’ investment exposures under ‘Fund Allocation’ exclude the investment exposure of the Trust to any ‘Cash’ that is held via these Master Classes. The Master Classes are explained in the latest PDS for the Trust.
The Responsible Entity intends to continue to make an off-market equal access buy-back offer to all investors in the Trust on a calendar quarterly basis for 5% of the issued capital of the Trust at the Buy-Back Price. The Buy-Back Price is equal to the sum of: (i) the NAV per unit as at the Buy-Back Pricing Date; and (ii) the amounts of distributions that the unitholder would have been entitled to if the unit was not cancelled from the Buy-Back Cancellation of Units Date up to the Buy-Back Payment Date. The Responsible Entity intends that each round of quarterly buy-back will have at least one calendar quarter between the date required for a Unitholder to elect to participate in the buy-back and its Buy-Back Pricing Date and Buy-Back Payment Date, with specific dates to be made available in future Buy-Back Booklets (subject to the acceptance of the buy-back timetable by the ASX). Please refer to the latest PDS for an explanation of capitalised defined terms and a detailed description of the mechanism.
*Lonsec ratings issued 06/11/2025 are published by Lonsec Research Pty Ltd ABN 11 151 658 561 AFSL 421 445 (Lonsec). Ratings are general advice only, and have been prepared without taking account of your objectives, financial situation or needs. Consider your personal circumstances, read the product disclosure statement and seek independent financial advice before investing. The rating is not a recommendation to purchase, sell or hold any product. Past performance information is not indicative of future performance. Ratings are subject to change without notice and Lonsec assumes no obligation to update. Lonsec uses objective criteria and receives a fee from the Fund Manager. Visit lonsec.com.au for ratings information and to access the full report. © 2020 Lonsec. All rights reserved.
**SQM Research is an investment research firm that undertakes research on investment products exclusively for its wholesale clients, utilising a proprietary review and star rating system. Information contained in this document attributable to SQM Research must not be used to make an investment decision. The SQM Research rating is valid at the time the report was issued, however it may change at any time. While the information contained in the rating is believed to be reliable, its completeness and accuracy is not guaranteed. The SQM Research star rating system is of a general nature and does not take into account the particular circumstances or needs of any specific person. Only licensed financial advisers may use the SQM Research star rating system in determining whether an investment is appropriate to a person’s particular circumstances or needs. You should read the product disclosure statement and consult a licensed financial adviser before making an investment decision in relation to this investment product. SQM Research receives a fee from the Fund Manager for the research and rating of the managed investment scheme.
For all important information regarding BondAdviser Product Assessments please see the final page of the BondAdviser Fund Report or visit the BondAdviser website.
Pengana Investment Management Limited (ACN 063 081 612, AFSL 219462) (“Pengana”) is the issuer of this document and units in PCX (ARSN 673 024 489).
There are no guarantees that an active trading market with sufficient liquidity will develop or that such a secondary market will sustain a price representative of the NAV per unit. In circumstances where units are suspended from the ASX, unitholders may not be able to sell their units via the ASX until trading recommences.
The information provided in this document is of a general nature only and has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before making an investment decision in respect of PCX you should access whether PCX is appropriate give your objective, financial situation or needs. None of Pengana, Mercer Consulting (Australia) Pty Ltd, nor any of their related entities, directors, partners or officers guarantees the performance of, or the repayment of capital, or income invested in PCX. An investment in PCX is subject to investment risk including a possible loss of income and principal invested. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance, the value of investments can go up and down.
Authorised by: Paula Ferrao, Company Secretary
COMMENTARY
Market Commentary: Constructive for Now but Direction Unclear
The global macroeconomic environment appears resilient but, beneath the surface, market dynamics and geopolitical risk create a more fragile reality, one where exuberance and disappointment create significant volatility. Within this context, we believe diversification, income stability, and downside protection are extremely important.
In the US, the Q2 earnings season was better than expected, with S&P 500 earnings growing 11.9% year on year, predominantly driven by tech and financials, with 30% of companies raising guidance. However, under the surface, corporates remain cautious given uncertainty regarding the trajectory of demand, inflationary cost pressures and market compression, particularly in consumer-facing industry sectors.
Consumers have been a pillar of strength, with continued spending across income segments, underpinned by solid labour markets and easing inflation. However, sentiment data and early signals from corporates suggest that fatigue is emerging, especially in lower income households.
At the same time, in fixed income markets, risk appetite remains elevated with investment grade credit spreads remaining near all-time lows, driven by strong demand and tight supply. High-yield spreads are also close to all-time lows, predominantly driven by investor demand for yield. The leveraged loan and CLO markets are experiencing the same dynamics. This tight spread environment offers limited buffers to downside risk. Any negative macro surprise could quickly unwind these levels.
By contrast, in Europe, earnings growth remains subdued, with flat to modest EPS trends, weighed down by exporters amid FX and tariff pressures. Banks and healthcare however continue to perform strongly supported by resilient margins and defensive demand. In the fixed income markets, bond yields are rising amid fiscal and political risks.
What does all this mean? Overall headline strength in markets masks fragility. While equity markets are rallying, gains are narrow and forward visibility remains uncertain. Credit spreads are compressed, offering limited premium for risk. Fixed income may not deliver yield without duration or credit risk, especially in Europe. With increasing macro uncertainty, particularly given geopolitical dynamics and mixed macroeconomic data, market participants remain wary of increased volatility.
Within this overall context, PCX continues to be a compelling alternative:
In short, PCX is a resilient structure offering income, stability and diversification, in an increasingly choppy investment landscape.
Portfolio Update
Despite the fragile macro environment described above, our managers continue to identify and invest in attractive opportunities across all strategies, a testament to their relevant competitive advantages in origination, structuring and portfolio management.
Within this backdrop, the Trust’s underlying funds continue to perform at or above target with no signs of credit deterioration.
The August NAV per unit decreased from $2.04 to $2.02, reflecting the impact of the outsized 3.32c dividend declared in July to return approximately 2c of NAV accumulation to investors. The underlying portfolio returns remain positive, driven by continued strong performance from our underlying funds. With increased stability in global markets, peripheral volatility of returns has subsided, allowing the core investment thesis of our managers to drive results. In August we declared a 1.32c dividend, continuing the recent trend of distributions exceeding our target minimum.
At 31 August, the Trust has maintained its target allocation mix, with capital diversified across fund types and managers as follows:
The portfolio remains within stated limits across geography, seniority and investment strategy. Diversification by vintage, style and manager continues to underpin downside protection and liquidity planning.