Inside the Rope with David Clark

The Ophir Opportunities Fund has returned 26.1% p.a. since inception in August 2012 (net of fees) and their latest Global Opportunities Fund has returned 33.8% p.a. since inception in October 2018 (net of fees). Andrew attributes the success of Ophir's funds to their commitment of keeping their finger on the pulse, travelling a lot, meeting companies, learning from their mistakes and creating a strong alignment of interests between the team and their funds. In Andrew's words "I do not own a couch, I don't own cushions on a couch, I don't even own a bed. I own sheets, I own pillows, I own cutlery, I own clothes and I own a lot of units in the Ophir funds."

Targeting what Roger refers to as 7/11 (7% income and 4% growth), Palisade's Diversified Infrastructure Fund has returned 10.2% p.a. over the last 10 years (as at 30 June 2019).   Roger defines infrastructure as a defensive asset that is essential for the community, and in this episode, Roger and I discuss how Palisade are finding such assets across Australia. Roger also takes the time to highlight the importance of such assets to Australia and consequently why he believes infrastructure is a defensive asset class.   Palisade which began under the Perpetual banner is the owner of assets such as the Sunshine Coast Airport, the fastest growing airport in Australia and specializes in defensive infrastructure assets.

Tim Carleton from Auscap joins the podcast for a second time to discuss his new Global Equities Fund as well as the recent performance of the Long Short Australian Equities Fund. Currently invested in names such as Capri, Google (Alphabet), Microsoft and Visa, the new Auscap Global Equities Fund is an absolute return focused fund that targets high-quality value stocks. Tim highlights that the fund has a bias towards both developed markets and well known large-cap stocks with firm levels of governance. The fund which also has the ability to short similar to the Australian Equities Fund targets 10-15% annualised return opportunities for each company that it invests in. Tim also touches on both the recent performance and opportunities in the Long Short Australian Equities Fund. Following a difficult year in 2018 and a recovery for the fund in 2019, Tim is bullish on the outlook of the Australian economy, with indicators such as unemployment rates, terms of trade surplusses and high commodity prices supporting his view.

Sometimes presents that may be perceived as "boring" can eventuate into the most exciting gifts that you have received. The Magellan Infrastructure Fund invests in listed assets with exposure to sectors such as toll roads, airports, rail and utilities. Gerald describes these assets as highly reliable, predictable and boring. However, Gerald and I discuss how investing in such assets has allowed the fund to return 20% during the last 12 months and generate returns of over 14% p.a. during the last 10 years (as of November 2019). Gerald mentions that the fund is not designed for individuals to get rich quick, but rather to generate wealth with a high degree of confidence. The fund targets long term returns of inflation + 5%, with low downside capture. The Magellan Infrastructure Fund manages around $8.5bn and is invested in listed infrastructure assets around the world.

Kee explains how property assets with yields of 7-9% are being found across the UK as Brexit fears have reduced competition for certain assets. Kee also covers the UK election and what it means for their property market. L1 UK Residential Property Funds focus on assets with purchase prices of £3-10m a bracket that is separate to that of large institutions who typically target assets of greater value. The fund invests in tier one cities outside of London and South-East England where valuations are only now reaching the same levels as '07. Competition in the UK is further reduced as banks are limited in their ability to invest in similar assets, in part due to the EU Mortgage Market Review. Kee mentions that tighter lending controls have meant that 68% of individuals in the UK that are renting don't own a home because they can't afford the deposit.

Are the big Australian banks value traps? As the disparity in valuations between value and growth stocks widen, Rhett and I discuss why. The impact of technological disruption has seen several growth stock multiples stretch well beyond traditional valuation methods, and Rhett believes that there are more rational returns to be found in less favoured companies such as Telstra and Viva Energy. The Pengana Australian Equities Fund is an absolute return focused fund that aims to deliver returns of 6% greater than the risk-free rate throughout the cycle. Since inception in June 2008, the fund has returned 10.23% p.a. as at October 2019.

Equity like returns with debt like risk; Metrics Managing Partner Andrew Lockhart discusses the opportunity created by traditional lenders leaving the Australian market due to increasing levels of regulation. The Metrics Credit Partners Fund offers investors direct exposure to Australia’s bank-dominated mid-market corporate loan market by investing in loans to private corporates, private-equity sponsored, real estate and structured finance borrowers.

With the Regal small-cap fund up over 70% CYTD (as at 30 Sept 2019), Phil and I talk the good, the bad & the ugly of financial markets. Phil remains optimistic that there is plenty of growth left in the market, and in this episode he steps through his rationale underpinning this view.

Investing through the cycle and targeting 10-15% returns net of fees is Alium’s focus, and in this episode Martin explains how Alium is able to accomplish this. The Alium Market Neutral strategy is an alternate strategy that utilizes both long and short positions globally with a thematic based approach. Martin describes how his strategy operates differently to traditional market-neutral strategies that utilise a sector-based approach. From inception in May 2017 through August 2019, the fund has not produced a negative year.

Recently I toured Israel with Koda Partner Will Douglas and Ibex Investors to gain insights into the Ibex Israel investment fund. On the four day tour we visited a range of investee companies and spent time with economists, industry representatives, start-up incubators, academics and other investors in the fund. In this episode, we discuss the Israel tour and the opportunities that Israel presents for investors. Will is an Adviser & Partner based in the Koda Brisbane office.