SUMMARY
In spite of its defensive positioning, the Fund generated a healthy start to 2025 with a return of 2.7% for January. By way of comparison, the Australian Stock market was up 4.4%. Our benchmark, the RBA Cash rate +6%, equated to 0.8%.
In spite of its defensive positioning, the Fund generated a healthy start to 2025 with a return of 2.7% for January. By way of comparison, the Australian Stock market was up 4.4%. Our benchmark, the RBA Cash rate +6%, equated to 0.8%.
Our holding in Evolution Mining was up 18.5% for the month, helped by the trifecta of a strong US$ gold price, a firm Copper price and a weaker A$. In addition, the company appears to have solved its production challenges. The significant capital investment in several of the mines should generate material improvements in both production volumes and efficiencies.
Resmed also performed strongly as the share price rallied into the quarterly result, with investors warming to its dominant position in sleep apnoea medical devices. The Fund trimmed its holdings into this strength. We remain optimistic about the company’s prospects, but given our “lean in” at lower levels, we thought it prudent to take some profits.
NAB, Aristocrat and Stockland were also material contributors to the strong monthly returns. NAB is our remaining big 4 bank exposure as we remain positive on medium term business lending growth and profitability to support the full valuation multiples in a stretched sector. We continue to take profits in Aristocrat by reducing our exposure to this company, particularly after the most recent rally. Stockland represents a more recent acquisition. Both the valuation and outlook for this company appear attractive.
The Fund has acquired several new positions, including Ampol and Amcor. The latter’s recent acquisition of Berry – a large global packaging company – has yet to be completed. We believe it offers attractive value on a 12.5 times FY2026 earnings multiple with significant cost and revenue synergies yet to emerge. Amcor is now one of the largest packaging companies globally, with a host of positive earnings and momentum drivers. These include resin purchase synergies, sharply higher purchasing power, a recovering healthcare sector (Covid supply issues resulted in a now historical overstocking in the higher margin channel) and increasing traction as the leader in sustainable packaging technology.
The detractors for the month were minor negatives – to be expected during a strong month – and included Accent Group, Ryman Group and Maas Group. The Fund’s cash levels are at 14%, with expectations of further significant deployment into attractive opportunities.
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.
As we enter 2025, we have observed a wide range in outlook commentary – from those who believe the worst is now behind us to those who believe the pain is only just beginning. Despite an elevated level of uncertainty in markets, we remain as focused as ever on our primary objectives of capital preservation and generating a reasonable real return for our investors. We continue to believe this is best served by a disciplined approach and consistent investment methodology. A variety of good businesses run by honest and competent management teams at the right price will create a well-diversified portfolio of ever-growing cash earnings streams.
CIO and Senior Fund Manager
Deputy CIO and Fund Manager
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.
1. Net performance figures are shown after all fees and expenses, and assume reinvestment of distributions. The benchmark of cash rate plus 6% p.a. is included in the chart as it relates to the Fund’s investment objective and performance fee. The Fund may invest up to 100% of its assets in equity securities. The greater risk of investing in equities is reflected in the addition of a margin above the cash rate. No allowance has been made for buy/sell spreads. Please refer to the PDS for information regarding risks. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance, the value of investments can go up and down.
2. Inception 1st July 2008.
3. Annualised standard deviation since inception.
4. Relative to ASX All Ordinaries Index. Using daily returns.
*(including GST, net of RITC) of the increase in net asset value subject to the RBA Cash Rate & High Water Mark. For further information regarding fees please see the PDS available on our website.