Platform Availability
AMP North, APEX NZ, BT Asgard, BT Panorama, CFS Edge, Dash, Hub24, IOOF Expand, Centric, Hub24, Macquarie Wrap - IDPS & Super, Mason Stevens - IDPS & Super, Netwealth - IDPS & Super, Praemium - IDPS, Super, SMA & Powerwrap
Description
The Pengana Australian Equities Fund aims to enhance and preserve investor wealth over a 5- year period via a concentrated core portfolio of principally Australian listed securities. The Fund uses fundamental research to evaluate investments capable of generating the target return over the medium term. Essentially, we are in the business of seeking to preserve capital and make money – we are not in the business of trying to beat the market. We remain focused on acquiring and holding investments that offer predictable, sustainable and well-stewarded after-tax cash earnings yields in excess of 6% that will grow to double digit levels as a percentage of our original entry price in five years. We believe that building a well-diversified portfolio of these “gifts that keep on giving” represents a meaningful way to create and preserve financial independence for our co-investors.
COMMENTARY
Several of our larger investments did well, including Telstra, the two Health insurers, NHF and Medibank, and Light and Wonder that benefitted from our mantra of “leaning in” when valuations create attractive fundamentals. Our holding in Evolution Mining continued its strong run assisted by the trifecta of a strong US$ gold price, a firm Copper price, and a weak A$.
On the flip side, several smaller holdings were buffeted by disappointing earnings releases. These included Kelsian, MAAS Group and Ryman Healthcare. The latter decided to subject its shareholders to a deeply discounted non-renounceable rights issue. We have a strong dislike for this treatment of shareholders.
While NAB was our largest detractor – absolute negative return of 60bpts – our discipline around trimming this holding above $40.00 and avoiding the other big 4 banks after selling our CBA shares in the mid $150s has also provided significant protection in an overpriced banking sector.
In our opinion, the bifurcated market plays into our strengths. Growth stocks continue to be at extreme valuations even after the recent pullback. At the risk of excessively repeating our view, the combination of geopolitical risks, technology driven innovations and “Tariff tantrums” requires higher margins for error (ie lower valuations) than the liquidity enhanced “growth at any price” exuberance equity markets have been experiencing. Our focus on strong business models, competent and honest management, robust balance sheets, all underpinned by after tax cash earnings yields continues.
The Fund has continued to build several new positions, including Amcor (discussed last month), IAG after the market sell off on the back of an extremely conservatively stated result, and Mirvac following an improvement in its operating outlook.
The Fund continues to maintain a comfortable level of firepower with cash at 9% which, combined with a bid for one of our larger holdings, takes our notional cash reserves into the mid-teens.
Importantly, the windows of opportunity to identify, analyse and acquire out of favour companies have, in many cases, widened, allowing for extended analysis and cross checking of information. Higher conviction has facilitated leaning in to opportunities, particularly when non-fundamental issues cause further sell downs.