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InvestSMART Portfolio Update - January 2018

January performance update
By · 8 Feb 2018
By ·
8 Feb 2018
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Activity during the month

During the month we made adjustments to the Interest Income Portfolio, redeploying cash across the portfolio into higher yielding securities. This portfolio is designed to form the fixed interest component of a diversified investor’s portfolio. You can read more about the changes in the portfolio update .

While our funds continue to perform as expected, it has been a particularly poor couple of months for listed property and this has been reflected in the Diversified Property & Infrastructure Portfolios recent performance.

 

Strategic Asset Allocation

Annualised performance figures are often quoted over periods of 20 years, demonstrating the cumulative benefit of continued long-term investment.

However, the reality is that not every investor has 20 years to invest and most use recent, short term performance figures to make their investment decisions regardless of their individual circumstances. Making investment decisions on this basis substantially increases the risk of underperformance from attempting to time markets.

Figure 1 shows the annual performance of various asset classes since 2000 and illustrates that while performance tends to average out over longer periods, in the short term, performance follows no discernible pattern. Monthly, quarterly and even 12-month performance figures are too short a period to judge performance. However, these are often the same figures on which investors base their decisions.

It is because of this inherent unpredictability that we promote Strategic Asset Allocation over attempting to time markets. This is the idea that investors should, instead of performance, focus first on understanding their objectives, time horizon & risk tolerance and construct diversified portfolios designed to deliver returns in line with them.

Discipline in maintaining this focus as opposed to chasing last periods’ returns should result in appropriate risk adjusted returns that are better suited to your specific circumstances. Is your portfolio appropriately positioned? Complete a Health Check today.

 

Asset Class200020012002200320042005200620072008
 
Cash
6.19% 4.89% 4.74% 4.89% 5.49% 5.64% 5.99% 6.66% 6.98%
Domestic
Equities
5.22% 10.36% -8.77% 14.61% 27.99% 22.83% 24.22% 16.07% -38.44%
International
Equities
2.19% -9.97% -27.44% -0.76% 9.94% 16.84% 11.49% -2.60% -24.92%
Domestic Fixed
Interest
12.04% 5.48% 8.81% 3.05% 6.96% 5.79% 3.12% 3.50% 14.95%
International
Fixed Interest
11.65% 8.29% 11.57% 6.59% 8.92% 3.81% 5.40% 6.63% 9.23%
Domestic
Property
19.71% 14.60% 11.76% 8.80% 32.01% 12.50% 34.03% -8.41% -53.99%
International
Property
Insufficient Data -49.04%
Asset Class200920102011201220132014201520162017
 
Cash
3.43% 4.68% 4.85% 3.74% 2.78% 2.68% 2.25% 1.99% 1.74%
Domestic
Equities
37.03% 1.57% -10.54% 20.26% 20.20% 5.61% 2.56% 11.80% 11.80%
International
Equities
-0.30% -2.04% -5.34% 14.14% 48.03% 15.01% 11.80% 7.92% 13.38%
Domestic Fixed
Interest
1.73% 6.04% 11.37% 7.70% 1.99% 9.81% 2.59% 2.92% 3.66%
International
Fixed Interest
8.03% 9.28% 10.51% 9.66% 2.27% 10.37% 3.35% 5.24% 3.68%
Domestic
Property
7.92% -0.41% -1.48% 32.99% 7.11% 27.04% 14.32% 13.16% 5.72%
International
Property
31.45% 19.18% -4.19% 31.81% 11.06% 21.92% 4.96% 6.25% 9.82%

Figure 1: 1-year Performance comparison by asset class

Source: Morningstar

Performance data is represented by the following benchmarks. Cash: RBA Bank accepted Bills 90 Days. Domestic Equities: S&P/ASX 200 TR AUD. International Equities: MSCI World Ex Australia NR AUD. Domestic Fixed Interest: Bloomberg AusBond Composite 0 Y TR AUD. International Fixed Interest: BBgBarc Global Aggregate TR Hdg AUD. Domestic Property: S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT TR. International Property: S&P Developed Property NR Hdg AUD. Source, Morningstar.

 

InvestSMART Core Growth Portfolio

The InvestSMART Core Growth Portfolio produced a return of 0.05% (after fees) during January.

The Vanguard All World Ex US Shares ETF (VEU) was the best performing security for the month up 2.39%.

The estimated yield on the portfolio is currently 2.87%.

Since inception, the portfolio has returned 7.89% per annum (after fees).

 

Performance to
31 January 2018
1 Month3 Months6 Months1 Year2 Years3 YearsSI (p.a)
InvestSMART Core Growth 0.05% 2.03% 6.36% 10.61% 10.50% 5.74% 7.89%
Morningstar Aus Msec Growth TR AUD 0.13% 2.18% 6.93% 10.69% 9.97% 6.78% 8.61%
Excess to Benchmark -0.08% -0.16% -0.56% -0.09% 0.54% -1.03% -0.71%
RBA Cash Rate 3% 0.37% 1.13% 2.27% 4.59% 4.69% 4.86% 4.92%
Excess to Objective -0.32% 0.90% 4.09% 6.01% 5.81% 0.89% 2.97%

Figure 2: Portfolio Performance after fees

Source: InvestSMART, MorningStar, Praemium

 

 

InvestSMART Diversified Income Portfolio

The InvestSMART Diversified Income Portfolio produced a return of -0.54% (after fees) during January.

Macquarie Income Opportunities (MAQ0277AU) was the best performing security for the month up 0.29%.

The estimated yield on the portfolio is currently 3.24%.

Since inception, the portfolio has returned 4.55% per annum (after fees).

 

Performance to
31 January 2018
1 Month3 Months6 Months1 Year2 Years3 YearsSI (p.a)
InvestSMART Diversified Income -0.54% 1.15% 3.26% 5.49% 6.13% 3.69% 4.55%
Morningstar Aus Msec Moderate TR AUD -0.11% 0.99% 3.36% 5.85% 5.53% 4.35% 4.92%
Excess to Benchmark -0.43% 0.16% -0.10% -0.37% 0.60% -0.65% -0.37%
RBA Cash Rate 1% 0.21% 0.63% 1.26% 2.53% 2.63% 2.79% 2.81%
Excess to Objective -0.74% 0.53% 2.00% 2.96% 3.50% 0.91% 1.74%

Figure 3: Portfolio Performance after fees

Source: InvestSMART, MorningStar, Praemium

 

InvestSMART Interest Income Portfolio 

The InvestSMART Interest Income Portfolio produced a return of -0.02% (after fees) during January.

The VanEck Vectors Australian Floating Rate ETF (FLOT) was the best performing security for the month, up 0.35%.

The estimated yield on the portfolio is currently 2.65%.

Since inception, the portfolio has returned 2.07% per annum (after fees).

 

Performance to
31 January 2018
1 Month3 Months6 Months1 Year2 YearsSI (p.a)
InvestSMART Interest Income -0.02% 0.23% 0.76% 2.02% 2.03% 2.07%
Bloomberg AusBond Composite 0 Y TR AUD -0.27% 0.08% 0.85% 2.75% 2.52% 2.97%
Excess to Benchmark 0.25% 0.15% -0.09% -0.73% -0.49% -0.90%
RBA Cash Rate 0.12% 0.38% 0.75% 1.51% 1.61% 1.60%
Excess to Objective -0.14% -0.15% 0.00% 0.51% 0.42% 0.47%

Figure 4: Portfolio Performance after fees

Source: InvestSMART, MorningStar, Praemium

 

InvestSMART Diversified Property & Infrastructure Portfolio

The InvestSMART Diversified Property & Infrastructure Portfolio produced a return of -3.56% (after fees) during January.

In what was a fairly poor month for listed property & infrastructure, the VanEck Vectors Global Infrastructure ETF (IFRA) was the best performing security for the month, down 2.08%.

The estimated yield on the portfolio is currently 3.27%.

Since inception, the portfolio has returned 3.70% per annum (after fees).

 

Performance to
31 January 2018
1 Month3 Months6 Months1 Year2 YearsSI (p.a)
InvestSMART Diversified Property & Infrastructure Portfolio -3.56% -1.01% 0.63% 0.66% 2.84% 3.70%
A Composite Index -1.75% 0.32% 2.56% 3.75% 5.14% 5.96%
Excess to Benchmark -1.81% -1.33% -1.93% -3.09% -2.30% -2.26%

Figure 5: Portfolio Performance after fees

Source: InvestSMART, MorningStar, Praemium

 

InvestSMART International Equities Portfolio

The InvestSMART International Equities Portfolio produced a return of 1.96% (after fees) during January.

The iShares Asia 50 ETF (IAA) was the best performing security for the month up 4.95%.

The estimated yield on the portfolio is currently 1.93%.

Since inception, the portfolio has returned 12.31% per annum (after fees).

 

Performance to
31 January 2018
1 Month3 Months6 Months1 Year2 Years3 YearsSI (p.a)
InvestSMART International Equities 1.96% 3.94% 12.56% 18.63% 15.01% 8.36% 12.31%
MSCI World Ex Australia NR AUD 1.75% 3.24% 12.27% 18.15% 13.42% 10.49% 14.15%
Excess to Benchmark 0.21% 0.69% 0.29% 0.47% 1.59% -2.13% -1.84%

Figure 6: Portfolio Performance after fees

Source: InvestSMART, MorningStar, Praemium

 

InvestSMART Hybrid Income Portfolio

The InvestSMART Hybrid Income Portfolio produced a return of 0.17% (after fees) during January.

National Income Securities (NABHA) was the best performing security for the month up 1.50% while Macquarie Capital Notes II (MQGPB) was worst performing at -1.7%.

The estimated gross running yield (incl. of franking) is currently 5.28%.

Since inception, the portfolio has returned 3.22% per annum (after fees).

 

Performance to
31 January 2018
1 Month3 Months6 MonthsSI (p.a)
InvestSMART Hybrid Income 0.17% 1.32% 3.11% 3.22%
RBA Cash Rate 3% 0.37% 1.13% 2.27% 2.65%
Excess to Benchmark -0.20% 0.19% 0.84% 0.57%

Figure 7: Portfolio Performance after fees

Source: InvestSMART, MorningStar, Praemium

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