2
Market wrap
Monthly performance overview
The S&P/ASX200 Accumulation Index ended up 5% higher for the month.
News flow for month was dominated by companies reporting first half results.
Company results characterised by soft top line growth offset by cost out initiatives.
Market review
3
What we learnt during reporting season
− Focus on top line growth;
− Housing is improving;
− Cost cutting remains a focus;
− Resource companies improving;
− Still tough for mining services; and
− Banks delivering.
Questions that remain
− Economy recovering but will job losses impact;
− Chinese growth rates; and
− QE unravelling.
Reporting season lessons
4
Focus on top line revenue growth
Disproportionate response to a small basket of growth stocks.
Market’s valuation of these stocks now appears to be dangerous.
Remain disciplined on valuation and see the following opportunities:
− Cyclical, unknown or recovery phase revenue growth on low multiples;
− Greater focus on M&A and less dividend returns; and
− Companies delivering strong bottom line growth through restructuring.
Reporting season lessons
5
Housing is improving
Housing responding to lower interest rates.
Apartment sales remain strong.
Increasing amount of affordable house and land packages.
Decade of undersupply, favourable approval process and RBA seeking to stimulate economy.
Reporting season lessons
6
Financial services displaying strong recovery
Companies exposed to improving equity market displaying strong results.
Driven by level inflows, equity performance and low interest rates.
Increase in M&A and IPO’s.
Reporting season lessons
7
Cost cutting remains a strong focus
Despite revenue focus, a number of companies have announced cost out programs.
Market responded positively, however tended not to re-rate these stocks.
We continue to see value in some of these companies.
Reporting season lessons
8
Resource companies improving
Market is focused on near term outlook of iron ore prices.
Major resource companies are improving fundamentals by taking out costs, increasing cash flow and reducing capex.
Patient shareholders will be rewarded in longer term.
Reporting season lessons
9
Mining services still tough
Cost cutting programs make it difficult for mining services players.
We saw downgrades even from leaders in this segment.
Banks deliver
Strong results with bad debts lower than the market expected.
While now sign of deterioration some caution is warranted as bad debts are well below long term averages.
Questions that remain
10
Economic recovery
Better than expected recovery, positive retail figures, housing and positive equity markets.
Will job losses impact recovery?
Chinese growth rate
Nervous market regarding shadow banking outlook, expectation defaults will accelerate.
Government support via a stimulus package will be a focus.
Will resource companies outperform while these doubts persist?
QE unravelling
We have positioned the portfolio on the side of QE unravelling, expecting a decrease in A$ and bonds to ease.
In past two months A$ and bond yields have stabilised.
Can they hold their current levels in face of unravelling QE?
Current portfolio positioning
11
Companies which can control their profit and value accreting outcomes (NAB, ORG,
TWE, AZJ).
Top line growth in housing, market exposure (LLC, HGG, MQG).
Offshore plays (BXB, QBE).
Resource stocks (BHP, RIO).
Cautious on high PE growth stocks following a strong re-rating last year.
Underweight the high yielding segment which can suffer as QE unravels.
Performance
12
PERFORMANCE FOR PERI OD ENDED:
AUSTRALI AN EQUI TI ES - High Conviction 1 MONTH 6 MONTHS 1 YEAR 2 YEARS 3 YEARS 5 YEARS SI NCE I NCDIRECT AUSTRALIAN EQUITY PORTFOLIO 4.19% 11.25% 16.71% 21.31% 12.18% 18.8% 13.7%ASX S&P 200 ACCUMULATION INDEX 4.97% 7.59% 10.64% 17.22% 8.68% 15.08% 10.1%
-0.78% 3.7% 6.1% 4.1% 3.5% 3.7% 3.6%AUSTRALI AN EQUI TI ES - Socially Responsible 1 MONTH 6 MONTHS 1 YEAR 2 YEARS 3 YEARS 5 YEARS SI NCE I NCDIRECT AUSTRALIAN EQUITY PORTFOLIO 4.10% 11.28% 16.20% 21.20% 12.37% 18.09% 10.11%ASX S&P 200 ACCUMULATION INDEX 4.97% 7.59% 10.64% 17.22% 8.68% 15.1% 5.6%
-0.87% 3.69% 5.56% 3.99% 3.69% 3.01% 4.51%AUSTRALI AN EQUI TI ES - I ncome 1 MONTH 6 MONTHS 1 YEAR 2 YEARS 3 YEARS 5 YEARS SI NCE I NCDIRECT AUSTRALIAN EQUITY PORTFOLIO 3.57% 11.54% 19.63% 28.62% 17.5% 19.3% 6.2%ASX S&P 200 INDUSTRIAL ACCUMULATION INDEX 4.91% 8.07% 13.98% 25.27% 15.5% 18.8% 3.4%
-1.34% 3.48% 5.65% 3.35% 2.09% 0.51% 2.81%PROPERTY 1 MONTH 6 MONTHS 1 YEAR 2 YEARS 3 YEARS 5 YEARS SI NCE I NCDIRECT LISTED PROPERTY TRUST PORTFOLIO 4.37% 6.91% 5.59% 17.87% 11.45% 18.41% 8.25%ASX S&P PROPERTY ACCUMULATION INDEX 4.33% 4.26% 3.86% 17.71% 11.64% 15.9% 3.7%
0.04% 2.65% 1.72% 0.16% -0.19% 2.52% 4.5%
FI XED I NTEREST 1 MONTH 6 MONTHS 1 YEAR 2 YEARS 3 YEARS 5 YEARS SI NCE I NC
DIRECT AUSTRALIAN FIXED INTEREST PORTFOLIO 0.70% 3.35% 5.94% 8.17% 7.77% 11.23% 6.58%FIXED INTEREST inc FRANKING 0.70% 3.42% 6.17% 8.56% 8.37% 11.89% 6.93%UBS CORPORATE BOND INDEX 0.51% 2.84% 4.96% 7.38% 7.65% 7.38% 6.5%
0.20% 0.5% 1.0% 0.8% 0.1% 3.8% 0.1%I NTERNATI ONAL EQUI TI ES 1 MONTH 6 MONTHS 1 YEAR 2 YEARS 3 YEARS 5 YEARS SI NCE I NCINTERNATIONAL MANAGED FUNDS PORTFOLIO 2.79% 12.59% 36.27% 26.70% 16.13% 12.8% 7.2%MSCI EX AUST IN AUD 2.30% 14.34% 40.38% 27.48% 14.88% 12.3% 4.9%
0.49% -1.75% -4.10% -0.78% 1.25% 0.46% 2.23%
28/ 02/ 2014
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Disclaimer
SOURCESGoldmanSachsMacquarieMorgan StanleyIRESSBloomberg
DISCLAIMERThis document has been prepared by Dalton Nicol Reid Pty Ltd, AFS Representative - 294844 of DNR AFSL Pty Ltd ABN 39 118 946 400, AFSL 301658. It is general information only and is not intended to be a recommendation to invest in any product or financial service mentioned above. Whilst Dalton Nicol Reid has used its best endeavours to ensure the information within this document is accurate it cannot be relied upon in any way and recipients must make their own enquiries concerning the accuracy of the information within. The general information in this document has been prepared without reference to any recipients objectives, financial situation or needs. Before making any financial investment decisions we recommend recipients obtain legal and taxation advice appropriate to their particular needs. Investment in a Dalton Nicol Reid individually managed account can only be made on completion of all the required documentation.