the role of closed-ended funds in client portfolios in the post-rdr world stephen peters investment...
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The role of Closed-Ended Funds in client portfolios in the post-RDR worldStephen Peters Investment Trust Analyst,
For professional investors only
Agenda
• The benefits, the risks and the reality of the sector
• What place do Closed-Ended Funds have in a portfolio?
• Conclusions
What are Investment Trusts?
• Closed ended funds
• Shares in a company traded on a stock exchange (such as the London Stock Exchange)
• Managed by a fund manager who is responsible to a board of directors and, ultimately, shareholders
• The share price may trade at a premium or a discount to the Net Asset Value (NAV) per share
• Firms will need Part IV permission for advising or arranging on Investment Trusts
Key differences with Exchange Traded and Open Ended Funds• Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) & open-ended funds typically trade at or
near, asset value – they can create and redeem shares according to demand
• Investment trusts should only issue shares if they trade at a premium to NAV
• Investment trusts may use borrowing with the aim of enhancing returns, unlike open ended funds
• Investment trusts have independent boards. They are responsible to shareholders and can change the manager of the fund if they deem it appropriate to do so
• Investment trusts may use a ‘revenue reserve’ to ensure dividend payments do not fall if earned income declines
• ETFs & open ended funds can only pay out income received
What are the risks of Investment Trusts?
• Complexity - leverage, discounts, data availability
• Liquidity - a problem for the whole market?
• Choice - a small number from which to choose; some are not very good; some sectors are poorly represented
• Regulation - current proposals may classify Venture Capital Trust (VCT) and Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) shares as Unregulated Collective Investment Schemes (UCIS)
• Therefore only suitable for sophisticated and high net worth investors
Why consider Investment Trusts?• Asset classes not investible via open-ended funds
• Different sources of income - secured loans, Private Equity
• Ability to enhance returns via the use of leverage and discounts
• Long-term outperformance of open-ended funds
• Leverage, better management, discount narrowing all possible causes
• Run by the same groups and individuals you already know
• Historically known as a ‘low cost’ investment option - but this is changing
Investment Trusts have generally outperformed Open Ended funds over 10 years
Source: Winterflood Securities, to 28th September 2012. Weighted Sector Average, Share Price, Total Return
But no guarantee this trend will continue for the next 10 yearsInvestors should be aware that past performance is not necessarily a guide to the future and
that the price of shares, other investments and the income derived from them, may fall as well as rise and the amount realized may be less than their original sum.
Leverage
• Markets or assets fall in price; borrowings magnify losses
• Borrowing covenants are breached; banks ‘call’ the loan - requiring the sale of assets at depressed prices
• Poor decisions by the board• Merchants - 1.3x leveraged, pays c8% annual interest rate on that borrowing
- until 2018 at the earliest
• The risks and the benefits of gearing need to be fully understood by advisers and clients before investing
Domestic HomeDomestic Home
£200,000 house purchase
£25,000 deposit (asset)
£175,000 mortgage (liability)
8x leveraged
Scottish MortgageScottish Mortgage
£2.31bn Total Assets*
£1.76bn of equity (asset)*
£360m of debt (liability)*
0.3x leveraged
Source: *Morningstar, 24th August 2012
Leverage
Around half of all Investment Trusts employ no leverage
Source: Winterfloods, Charles Stanley
Investment TrustsInvestment Trusts
293 trusts
£92bn of total assets
50 UK funds
7 US equity funds
6 Emerging market funds
AIC, September 2012
Open Ended FundsOpen Ended Funds
£598bn of assets (onshore)
2,866 onshore funds, 6,603 including offshore options
Morningstar, 21st August
Choice
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Not having to manage fund inflows during rising markets can be helpful forlong term returns from investment trusts
Investors should be aware that past performance is not necessarily a guide to the future and that the price of Shares ,other investments and the income derived from them, may fall as well as rise
and the amount realized may be less than their original sum.
Trusts often outperform their open ended equivalent
RIT CapitalRIT Capital
Discount Quintile
Average 1 year % return
Average 3 year % return
Average 5 year % return
Cheap 4.5 30.7 72.2
2 10.7 53.7 98.3
3 18.0 31.6 68.8
4 6.7 18.6 43.2
Dear -3.4 20.7 37.3
Alliance TrustAlliance TrustDiscount Quintile
Average 1 year % return
Average 3 year % return
Average 5 year % return
Cheap 10.4 20.4 16.8
2 4.7 8.9 18.1
3 -2.8 3.3 13.9
4 -1.8 3.5 11.2
Dear -6.0 -2.8 -2.8
Don’t buy discounts, buy funds
Analysis of buying and holding at all discount levels over 10 years Alliance Trust trades at a c15% discount, RIT at or near 0%Same sector, very different long term performance
Source: Charles Stanley, Datastream. Performance is share price Total Return, to September 30th 2012
Are Investment Trusts more volatile than open ended funds?
Source: FE, Charles Stanley
Investors should be aware that past performance is not necessarily a guide to the future and that the price of shares, other investments and the income derived from them, may fall as well as rise and the amount realized
may be less than their original sum.
Are Investment Trusts more volatile than open ended funds?
Source: FE, Charles StanleyInvestors should be aware that past performance is not necessarily a guide to the future and that the price of shares, other investments and the income derived from them, may fall as well as rise and the amount
realized may be less than their original sum.
What is the role of Investment Trusts in a post-RDR world?
• Those which are ‘better’ than an open ended equivalent should be considered
• Special situations – extreme discounts may offer the potential for higher returns in some situations
• Asset classes that cannot be bought through an open-ended fund can offer uncorrelated returns or income from non-traditional asset sources
‘Different or Better’ (than open ended funds)
Edinburgh IT
Perpetual Income and Growth
Jupiter European Opportunities
Artemis Alpha
RIT Capital
Scottish Mortgage
Murray International
International Public Partnerships
BH Macro
Electra Private Equity
Aberdeen Asian Smaller Companies
JPMorgan EM Income
Blackrock World Mining
Murray International vs. Aberdeen World Growth and Income• Similar funds, managed by Aberdeen’s Global Equity team
• Trust bigger than fund - £1.2bn, £216m
• Similar dividend yields - Trust 3.8%, Fund 4.1%
• Trust has gearing of c15%
• Trust can invest in bonds, and employs a multi currency borrowing facility
• Trust Ongoing Charges of 1.16%, Fund 1.63%
• Trust has consistently traded at a premium to NAVsince mid 2010
• Trust has higher share price volatility than fund
Sources: FE, Numis, Fund Manager, to 30th September 2012. Murray International 3 year price volatility 17.9%, Fund 14.3%, to 19th Oct 2012
Infrastructure projects – an asset class unavailable to open ended fund investors
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Investors should be aware that past performance is not necessarily a guide to the future and that the price of shares, other investments and the income derived from them, may fall as well as rise and the
amount realized may be less than their original sum.
5% Yield, low correlation with equity market returns
Listed Hedge Funds: Whilst the sector is in decline, some are still worth considering
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Investors should be aware that past performance is not necessarily a guide to the future and that the price of shares, other investments and the income derived from them, may fall as well as rise and the
amount realized may be less than their original sum.
Income from different asset classesTrust Asset Class Yield
3i Infrastructure PFI/PPP 4.8%
Greenwich Loan Income Fund
CLO Equity 9.3%
CATCo Reinsurance Catastrophe Reinsurance 5%
F&C Commercial Property UK Commercial Property 5.8%
Doric Nimrod Air Two Aeroplane leasing 8%
Princess Private Equity Private Equity 7.4%
The above are illustrative and should not be seen as recommendations to buy. Doric Nimrod Air Two and CATCo Reinsurance Fund are listed on the Specialist Funds Market of the London Stock Exchange. This is a less regulated
market and securities admitted to it are intended for sophisticated and professional investors. Greenwich Loan Income Fund is quoted on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM).
Yields as at 6th September 2012
Given the nature of these funds they may be higher risk than traditional open or closed ended funds. You should seek specialist guidance if you are unsure as to their suitability
Income from Capital GainsNew tax rules allow investment trusts to turn capital gains into income, something open ended funds cannot do
• Blackrock World Mining• 133% dividend increase in 2012
• agreed royalty off-take agreement with portfolio company
• Change in accounting for expenses
• RIT Capital • annual dividend increased from 4p to 28p per share
Investment Companies offer diverse sources of income - a key role for the sector in a post-RDR world
Split Capital Trusts
• A small and illiquid sector that has had its problems
• Analysis of split capital trusts is far more complex than just looking at hurdle rates and gross redemption yields
• Well managed and well covered split capital trusts still exist
• Only to be considered by the very sophisticated clients and investors
Conclusions• Some Investment Trusts are worth getting to know
• The sector is not perfect and has risks
• Investment Trusts are not as complex as you might think
• The structure offers some useful advantages over open- ended funds
• Consider discounts last, not first
• Closed-ended funds may be useful for clients needing income
• and within discretionary equity portfolios for larger clients
• Look at the sector in the same way as you would open ended funds
• Sector expertise is available and happy to help with the likesof gearing and discounts
Contact DetailsStephen PetersInvestment Trust Analyst
E: [email protected]: 0207 149 6433
Charles Stanley & Co. Limited25 Luke StreetLondonEC2A 4AR
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Important InformationThe information given in this presentation is based upon sources we believe to be reliable,but its accuracy cannot be guaranteed. The information does not constitute advice or a personal recommendation and you are recommended to seek advice concerning suitability from your investment advisor. Charles Stanley & Co. Limited and connected companies, their directors, members, employees and members of their families may have positions in the securities mentioned. Tax reliefs are those currently applying and the levels and bases of taxation can change. Investors should be aware that past performance is not necessarily a guide to the future and that the price of shares and other investments, and the income derived from them, may fall as well as rise and the amount realised may be less than their original sum.
Charles Stanley & Co. Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.
Charles Stanley & Co. Limited: 25 Luke Street London, EC2A 4AR.