ASSOCIATE GLOBAL PARTNERS LIMITED Welcome to the December 2022 Investment Update for the Switzer Dividend Growth Fund (SWTZ or the Fund). Click here to download the report.
Performance SummaryThe portfolio delivered a return of -1.97% in December 2022 compared with the S&P/ASX 200 Accumulation Index benchmark return of -3.21%.
Over the past 12 months, SWTZ has paid a distribution yield of 5.89% or 7.84% including franking credits. Distribution yield is calculated as the distributions received over the 12 months to 31 December 2022 relative to the price at the beginning of the period.
Given its focus on income and capital preservation, over the long term we expect SWTZ to marginally underperform in rising markets and marginally outperform in falling markets.
Portfolio CommentaryThe benchmark index fell in December as central banks remained determined to further tighten financial conditions by pushing official interest rates higher. The path of higher interest rates has had a harmful impact on equity valuations in 2022.
A common theme for global equity markets in 2022 was a significant de-rating in valuations. The combined impact of persistently high inflation and the rise in bond yields provided a major headwind for price-to-earnings (PE) ratios in 2022. The decline was most prominently felt in the cyclical and technology stocks that are sensitive to rising rates.
This was exemplified with the US NASDAQ index enduring a decline of -32% over the course of the calendar year as the PE ratio contracted from 32 times to 23 times. From a global perspective, the Australian share market fared comparatively well, with the S&P/ASX 200 Accumulation Index delivering a total return of -1.1% in 2022, supported by larger exposures to the Banking, Commodities and Energy sectors. Notwithstanding this, the S&P/ASX 200 PE ratio contracted from ~18 times to ~14 times during 2022 and is now back in the vicinity of its long-term average (i.e., being neither materially cheap nor expensive on a historical basis).
At a portfolio level, Spark NZ, Northern Star, and Integral Diagnostics were the best performing stocks. Whereas Macquarie Group, Commonwealth Bank of Australia and Atlas Arteria weighed negatively on attribution.
With the prospect that interest rates will continue to push higher in 2023 and at a time when earnings growth is set to moderate, we have reduced the portfolio's exposure to higher PE stocks that offer only modest dividend yields. In December, we divested our position in Coles which trades on a 12-month forward PE of >20 times and a dividend yield below the market average. We used the proceeds of the Coles divestment to initiate a position in Metcash, a leading wholesale distribution company with operations across food, liquor and hardware. Metcash's most recent 1HFY23 was encouraging, with sales growth of 8% and EBIT growth of 10%. Metcash's growth relative to the market combined with its PE ratio of ~13.5x and a dividend yield of ~5.3% provided an attractive entry point.
We are cognisant that tighter financial conditions (a higher cost of capital) for Australian corporates will place a burden on earnings momentum and margins in 2023. With this in mind, valuations and balance sheet strength will remain our focus. The portfolio is balanced across defensive industrial value sectors and companies providing dividend yields above the market average.
Investment ObjectiveThe Switzer Dividend Growth Fund is an income-focused exchange-traded managed fund with a mix of yield and quality companies. The objective of the Fund is to generate an above-market yield while maximising franking where possible and deliver capital growth over the long term.
DISCLAIMER: AGP Investment Management Limited (AGP IM) (ABN 26 123 611 978, AFSL 312247) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Associate Global Partners Limited (AGP) (ABN 56 080 277 998), a financial institution listed on the ASX (APL). AGP IM is the Responsible Entity and Blackmore Capital Pty Limited is the investment manager of Switzer Dividend Growth Fund (Quoted Managed Fund) (ARSN 614 066 849) (the Fund).
This material has been prepared for general information only. It does not contain investment recommendations nor provide investment advice. It does not take into account the objectives, financial situation or needs of any particular individual. Investors must, before acting on this material, consider the appropriateness of the material.
Any references to 'We', 'Our', 'Us', or the 'Team' used in the context of the portfolio commentary, is in reference to Blackmore Capital Pty Limited, as investment manager for the Fund.
Neither AGP IM, AGP, their related bodies corporate, entities, directors or officers guarantees the performance of, or the timing or amount of repayment of capital or income invested in the Fund or that the Fund will achieve its investment objectives. Past performance is not indicative of future performance.
Any economic or market forecasts are not guaranteed. Any references to particular securities or sectors are for illustrative purposes only and are as at the date of publication of this material. This is not a recommendation in relation to any named securities or sectors and no warranty or guarantee is provided that the positions will remain within the portfolio of the Fund.
Investors should seek professional investment, financial or other advice to assist the investor determine the individual tolerance to risk and needs to attain a particular return on investment. In no way should the investor rely on information contained in this material.
Investors should read the Fund's Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and consider any relevant offer document in full before making a decision to invest in the Fund. The Fund's Target Market Determination and other relevant information can be obtained by visiting www.associateglobal.com.
Switzer Dividend Growth Fund November 2022 Portfolio Update
Switzer Dividend Growth Fund October 2022 Portfolio Update
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Switzer Dividend Growth Fund September 2022 Portfolio Update
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Contango Asset Management Limited published this content on 10 January 2023 and is solely responsible for the information contained therein. Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 09 January 2023 22:55:33 UTC.
