Investors Mutual WS Australian Share (IML0002AU) Report & Performance

What is the Investors Mutual WS Australian Share fund?

The Investors Mutual Australian Share Fund provides exposure to an actively managed portfolio of quality Australian shares listed on the ASX. The Fund aims to provide to provide a rate of return (after fees and expenses and before taxes) which exceeds the return of the Fund’s Benchmark on a rolling four-year basis.

  • Applies IML’s conservative quality and value investment philosophy with a long term focus and aims to deliver consistent returns to clients.
  • Conducts detailed in-house research and valuation as part of its overall investment process and applies a Bottom-Up approach to identifying and valuing quality companies.
  • Asset allocation range : Australian equities (90% – 100%), Cash (0% – 10%).
  • Considered to be a medium to high risk investment.

Growth of $1000 Investment Over Time

Performance Report

Peer Comparison Report

Peer Comparison Report

Latest News & Updates For Investors Mutual WS Australian Share

Investors Mutual WS Australian Share Fund Commentary September 30, 2023

The Australian Share Fund had a disappointing quarter, down -2.9%, lagging the benchmark’s -0.8%. The main reasons for the poor relative performance were a strong energy sector, where we are underweight, and a weak quarter by the gaming sector, where we are overweight, as well as disappointing performances by key stocks CSL and Telstra.

 Global sharemarkets declined in the September quarter as bond yields rose sharply and investors finally seemed to believe that the Fed and other central banks will keep interest rates ‘higher for longer’. Most markets fell, with the MSCI World Index down -2.4% and the NASDAQ down further, -4.0%, reversing some of its impressive recent gains.

 Local markets took a lead from overseas, with the ASX 300 down -0.8 for the quarter. Energy was the strongest sector, buoyed by soaring oil prices, mainly driven by supply cuts from Saudi Arabia and Russia. Healthcare was weakest, dropping -9.0%, as rising 10-year bond yields disproportionately affected its higher valuation multiples.

 Many of the fund’s holdings performed well over the quarter including Orica, Suncorp, TPG Telecom, Nine Entertainment and Metcash. Stocks which held back performance included CSL, as explained below, and Telstra which dropped -8.5%, despite posting a strong result, as shareholders reacted negatively to the news it intends to retain its infrastructure business, Infraco. We believe this decision is sensible and in the long-term interests of shareholders.

 During the quarter we opened new positions in Viva Energy and Resmed. We bought Viva at a 9% discount after Vitol, its largest shareholder, sold part of its stake. We believe Viva is well positioned in the petrol/refining industry that is structurally better since Covid, with a number of competitors exiting both fuel distribution and refining. Resmed fell 28% over the quarter on concerns that new GLP1 drugs, which are popular for weight loss, will reduce demand for its CPAP sleep apnea products. The market is pricing in a large drop in demand for CPAP devices, which we think is far from certain, hence we started building a position late in September.

 Early in the quarter we trimmed our positions in Brambles and The Lottery Company as their share prices had appreciated significantly, and we added to Sonic and Charter Hall Retail REIT over the quarter on share price weakness.

READ HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE COMMENTARIES

Product Snapshot

  • Product Overview
  • Performance Review
  • Peer Comparison
  • Product Details

Product Overview

Fund Name APIR Code
? A Product Code is unique a identifier code issued by a group or governing body, to reference products in a large group. For an example, APIR codes are commonly used for Funds and Ticker codes are commonly used for Securities such as ETFs and Stocks.
Structure
?
Asset Class
? An Asset Class breakdown provides the percentages of core asset classes found within a mutual fund, exchange-traded fund, or another portfolio. Asset classes (in microeconomics and beyond) generally refer to broad categories such as equities, fixed income, and commodities.
Asset Category
? An Asset Category is a grouping of investments that exhibit similar characteristics and are subject to the same laws and regulations. Asset categories (or a sub-asset class) are made up of instruments which often behave similarly to one another in the marketplace, looking down to the Asset Category level is important if looking to build a diversified portfolio.
Peer Benchmark Name
? A Peer Index (benchmark) refers to a peer group of investment managers who have the same investment style or category. It is used to compare the performance of one manager to their peer group, which makes it simpler for investors to choose between the vast number of investment managers.
Broad Market Index
? A Market Index (benchmark) refers to a hypothetical portfolio of investments that represents a segment, asset or category of an investable market. Market Indices are used to benchmark managers performance, to assist their style reliability and ability to provide excess returns.
FUM
? Funds/Assets under management (AUM) is the total market value of the investments that a person or entity manages on behalf of clients. Assets under management definitions and formulas vary by company.
Management Fee
? A management fee is a charge levied by an investment manager for managing an investment fund. The management fee is intended to compensate the managers for their time and expertise for selecting finanical products and managing the portfolio.
Performance Fee
? A performance fee is a payment made to an investment manager for generating positive returns. This is as opposed to a management fee, which is charged without regard to returns. A performance fee can be calculated many ways. Most common is as a percentage of investment profits, often both realized and unrealized. It is largely a feature of the hedge fund industry, where performance fees have made many hedge fund managers among the wealthiest people in the world.
Spread
? A spread can have several meanings in finance. Basically, however, they all refer to the difference between two prices, rates or yields. In one of the most common definitions, the spread is the gap between the bid and the ask prices of a security or asset, like a stock, bond or commodity. This is known as a bid-ask spread.
Investors Mutual WS Australian ShareIML0002AUManaged FundsDomestic EquityAustralia Large ValueDomestic Equity - Large Value IndexASX Index 200 Index1.94 BN0.99%0.00%0.5%

Performance Review

Fund Name Last Month
? Returns after fees in the most recent (last) month).
3 Months Return
? Returns after fees in the most recent 3 months.
1 Year Return
? Trailing 12 month returns.
3 Years Average Return
? Average Annual returns from the last 3 years.
Since Inc. Average Return
? Average (annualised) returns since inception
1 Year Std. Dev. (Annual)
? The standard deviation (or annual volatility) of the last 12 months.
3 Years Std. Dev. (Annual)
? The average standard deviation (or annual volatility) from the last 3 years.
Since Inc. Std. Dev. (Annual)
? The average standard deviation (or annual volatility) since the fund inception.
1 Year Max Drawdown
? The maximum drawdown in the last 12 months - a drawdown is a peak-to-trough decline during a specific period for an investment, trading account, or fund.
3 Year Max Drawdown
? The maximum drawdown in the last 36 months - a drawdown is a peak-to-trough decline during a specific period for an investment, trading account, or fund.
Since Inc. Max Drawdown
? The maximum drawdown since inception - a drawdown is a peak-to-trough decline during a specific period for an investment, trading account, or fund.
Investors Mutual WS Australian Share5.03%4.73%6.21%8.88%8.7%8.98%9.89%10.95%-7.72%-7.79%-40.31%

Peer Comparison

Fund Name Peer Index Name
? A group of individuals who share similar characteristics and interests are called peer groups. Peer group analysis is an essential part of assessing a price for a particular stock in investment research. The emphasis here is on making a comparison, meaning that the peer group constituents should be more or less identical to the company being examined, especially in terms of their main business and market capitalization areas.
12 Months Excess Return
? Excess returns are an important metric that helps an investor to gauge performance in comparison to other investment alternatives. In general, all investors hope for positive excess return because it provides an investor with more money than they could have achieved by investing elsewhere.
Excess Return Annualised Since Inception
? Excess returns are an important metric that helps an investor to gauge performance in comparison to other investment alternatives. In general, all investors hope for positive excess return because it provides an investor with more money than they could have achieved by investing elsewhere.
12 Months Alpha
? Alpha is used in finance as a measure of performance, indicating when a strategy, trader, or portfolio manager has managed to beat the market return over 12 months. Alpha, often considered the active return on an investment, gauges the performance of an investment against a market index or benchmark that is considered to represent the market’s movement as a whole.
Alpha Annualised Since Inception
? Alpha is used in finance as a measure of performance, indicating when a strategy, trader, or portfolio manager has managed to beat the market annualized since inception. Alpha, often considered the active return on an investment, gauges the performance of an investment against a market index or benchmark that is considered to represent the market’s movement as a whole.
12 Months Beta
? Rolling 12Month Beta is a measure of the volatility—or systematic risk—of a security or portfolio compared to the market as a whole. Beta is used in the capital asset pricing model (CAPM), which describes the relationship between systematic risk and expected return for assets (usually stocks).
Beta Annualised Since Inception
? Beta is a measure of the volatility—or systematic risk—of a security or portfolio compared to the market as a whole. Beta is used in the capital asset pricing model (CAPM), which describes the relationship between systematic risk and expected return for assets (usually stocks).
12 Months Tracking Error
? 12Month Tracking error is the difference in actual performance between a position (usually an entire portfolio) and its corresponding benchmark over the last 12 months. The tracking error can be viewed as an indicator of how actively a fund is managed and its corresponding risk level. Evaluating a past tracking error of a portfolio manager may provide insight into the level of benchmark risk control the manager may demonstrate in the future.
Tracking Error Since Inception
? Since Inception tracking error is the difference in actual performance between a position (usually an entire portfolio) and its corresponding benchmark since inception. The tracking error can be viewed as an indicator of how actively a fund is managed and its corresponding risk level. Evaluating a past tracking error of a portfolio manager may provide insight into the level of benchmark risk control the manager may demonstrate in the future.
12 Months Correlation
? Correlation, in the finance and investment industries, is a statistic that measures the degree to which two securities move in relation to each other. Correlations are used in advanced portfolio management, computed as the correlation coefficient, which has a value that must fall between -1.0 and +1.0.
Correlation Since Inception
? Correlation, in the finance and investment industries, is a statistic that measures the degree to which two securities move in relation to each other. Correlations are used in advanced portfolio management, computed as the correlation coefficient, which has a value that must fall between -1.0 and +1.0.
Investors Mutual WS Australian ShareDomestic Equity - Large Value Index-3.01%-0.55%-0.15%0.05%0.05%0.793.95%3.81%0.940.96

Product Details

Fund Name Verifed by SMSF Mates Manager Address Phone Website Email
Investors Mutual WS Australian ShareYes-https://www.iml.com.au/-

Product Due Diligence

What is Investors Mutual WS Australian Share

Investors Mutual WS Australian Share is an Managed Funds investment product that is benchmarked against ASX Index 200 Index and sits inside the Domestic Equity - Large Value Index. Think of a benchmark as a standard where investment performance can be measured. Typically, market indices like the ASX200 and market-segment stock indexes are used for this purpose. The Investors Mutual WS Australian Share has Assets Under Management of 1.94 BN with a management fee of 0.99%, a performance fee of 0.00% and a buy/sell spread fee of 0.5%.

How has the investment product performed recently?

The recent investment performance of the investment product shows that the Investors Mutual WS Australian Share has returned 5.03% in the last month. The previous three years have returned 8.88% annualised and 10.95% each year since inception, which is when the Investors Mutual WS Australian Share first started.

How is risk measured in this investment product?

There are many ways that the risk of an investment product can be measured, and each measurement provides a different insight into the risk present. They can be used on their own or together to perform a risk assessment before investing, but when comparing investments, it is common to compare like for like risk measurements to determine which investment holds the most risk. Since Investors Mutual WS Australian Share first started, the Sharpe ratio is 0.5 with an annualised volatility of 10.95%. The maximum drawdown of the investment product in the last 12 months is -7.72% and -40.31% since inception. The maximum drawdown is defined as the high-to-low decline of an investment during a particular time period.

What is the relative performance of the investment product?

Relative performance is what an asset achieves over a period of time compared to similar investments or its peers. Relative return is a measure of the asset's performance compared to the return to the other investment. The Investors Mutual WS Australian Share has a 12-month excess return when compared to the Domestic Equity - Large Value Index of -3.01% and -0.55% since inception.

Does the investment product produce Alpha over its Peers?

Alpha is an investing term used to measure an investment's outperformance relative to a market benchmark or peer investment. Alpha describes the excess return generated when compared to peer investment. Investors Mutual WS Australian Share has produced Alpha over the Domestic Equity - Large Value Index of -0.15% in the last 12 months and 0.05% since inception.

What are similar investment products?

For a full list of investment products in the Domestic Equity - Large Value Index category, you can click here for the Peer Investment Report.

What level of diversification will Investors Mutual WS Australian Share provide?

Investors Mutual WS Australian Share has a correlation coefficient of 0.96 and a beta of 0.79 when compared to the Domestic Equity - Large Value Index. Correlation measures how similarly two investments move in relation to one another. This establishes a 'correlation coefficient', which has a value between -1.0 and +1.0. A 100% correlation between two investments means that the correlation coefficient is +1. Beta in investments measures how much the price moves relative to the broader market over a period of time. If the investment moves more than the broader market, it has a beta above 1.0. If it moves less than the broader market, then the beta is less than 1.0. Investments with a high beta tend to carry more risk but have the potential to deliver higher returns.

How do I compare the investment product with its peers?

For a full quantitative report on Investors Mutual WS Australian Share and its peer investments, you can click here for the Peer Investment Report.

How do I compare the Investors Mutual WS Australian Share with the ASX Index 200 Index?

For a full quantitative report on Investors Mutual WS Australian Share compared to the ASX Index 200 Index, you can click here.

Can I sort and compare the Investors Mutual WS Australian Share to do my own analysis?

To sort and compare the Investors Mutual WS Australian Share financial metrics, please refer to the table above.

Has the Investors Mutual WS Australian Share been independently verified by SMSF Mate?

This investment product is in the process of being independently verified by SMSF Mate. Once we have verified the investment product, you will be able to find more information here.

How can I invest in Investors Mutual WS Australian Share?

If you or your self managed super fund would like to invest in the Investors Mutual WS Australian Share please contact via phone or via email .

How do I get in contact with the Investors Mutual WS Australian Share?

If you would like to get in contact with the Investors Mutual WS Australian Share manager, please call .

Comments from SMSF Mates

SMSF Mate does not receive commissions or kickbacks from the Investors Mutual WS Australian Share. All data and commentary for this fund is provided free of charge for our readers general information.

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Historical Performance Commentary

Performance Commentary - August 31, 2023

The Fund was down -0.7% in August, in line with the benchmark ASX 300 which was down -0.8%

Reporting season dominated financial news in August, with mixed results overall. In general, businesses with strong market positions and balance sheets, like those in our portfolios, navigated the difficult economic conditions better.

Several of our holdings were up strongly after reporting better than expected results, including Brambles, Medibank and Ampol. Telstra posted a strong result but dropped on the news it intends retaining its infrastructure business, Infraco. We believe this decision is sensible and in the long-term interests of shareholders.

Reporting season showed that trading conditions remain mixed. Consumer demand is slowing but is still above pre-Covid trends. Inflation has reduced, but significant rises in electricity, gas, insurance premiums and wages mean the RBA can’t be complacent that inflation has been tamed. We continue to act cautiously, focusing on industry-leading companies with strong competitive advantages and recurring earnings that are likely to perform well in a range of economic conditions.

Performance Commentary - July 31, 2023

The Fund was up +0.9%, though it significantly lagged the benchmark ASX 300 which was very strong, rising +2.9%.

The Fund lagged the benchmark partly due to some holdings pulling back after strong recent performances, including Brambles, Aurizon and Telstra. Weaker relative performance was also due to a global rally in more speculative companies, for example unprofitable US tech rose +16% and a US-based ‘Meme ETF’ soared +20%.

Orica was up strongly as investors grew more optimistic about its growth outlook amid a strong month for commodities. Nine Entertainment also performed well, rising alongside other consumer-exposed companies. Aurizon had a poor month, falling -3% after an investor day in Darwin underwhelmed investors on short-term earnings, despite the company detailing a positive longterm growth strategy.

Despite euphoria around a possible ‘soft landing’, many companies face headwinds. Consumer demand is slowing but is still above pre-Covid trends. Inflation has reduced, but significant rises in electricity and gas, insurance premiums, and services wages mean inflation must still be contained. We continue to act cautiously, focusing on industry-leading companies with strong competitive advantages and recurring earnings that are likely to perform well in a range of economic conditions.

Performance Commentary - June 30, 2023

The Australian Share Fund had a solid quarter, returning +1.4%, ahead of the benchmark’s +1.0%. This took the Fund to a solid return for the full financial year of +11.0%. While this is a good annual return it was disappointingly behind the benchmark’s strong return of +14.4%, although this is not unexpected given the significant outperformance by resources companies over the year.

Global markets had a very strong quarter with the MSCI World Index up +6.7%, led by the Nasdaq, +13%. The gains were partly driven by optimism that the rate-rising cycle was near its end, as well as excitement about AI after US chipmaker Nvidia significantly upgraded its forward guidance. This caused a narrow-focused rally, driving markets higher.

The ASX 300 lagged global markets, rising +1.0% for the quarter, as the strong lead from overseas markets was tempered by somewhat unexpected RBA rate hikes which made investors more cautious. Information Technology was by far the strongest sector, rising +18.4% as tech stocks rallied in line with overseas markets. Materials were weaker in line with lower commodity prices and consumer facing sectors also struggled as interest rates continue to bite.

The Fund benefitted from strong performances from Aurizon, as explained below. IAG and Suncorp also were also up significantly amid continuing good trading conditions for the insurance sector. Premiums are increasing significantly (adding to inflation pressures), and investment income is benefitting from higher rates.

CSL was disappointing over the quarter, falling after its guidance for FY24 was below the optimistic consensus. Currency translation has had a large impact and margins are likely to recover more slowly than many were expecting. Amcor also fell after it downgraded its outlook due to food and beverage companies destocking as well as weakening demand from end customers.

We used share price weakness to increase our positions in Charter Hall Retail REIT and Fletcher Building and heightened share prices to trim our positions in IAG and exited Southern Cross Media after an attractive off-market offer from ARN Media at a 42% premium to the share price at the time.

Performance Commentary - May 31, 2023

The Fund was down -1.4% in May, though ahead of the benchmark ASX 300, which dropped -2.5%.

Many of our key holdings performed well during the month. Our relative performance was buoyed by our low exposure to consumer discretionary retailers, which fell heavily due to the interest rate rise which took some investors by surprise. Aurizon performed strongly for the fund, up 4%, continuing its recent rise as haulage volumes improve. Tabcorp also performed well, up 9%, as confidence increased in its Victorian licence renewal.

Amcor had a poor month falling 8% after it downgraded its outlook due to weakening packaging volumes.

Economies still face significant issues, setting a challenging backdrop for companies. Consumer demand has slowed but is still robust compared to pre-Covid trends. Inflation is proving persistent, with wage gains and house prices ticking up. Further interest rate rises are probable. We continue to act cautiously, focusing on industry-leading companies with strong competitive advantages and recurring earnings that are likely to perform well in a range of economic conditions.

Performance Commentary - April 30, 2023

The Fund was up +2.1% in April, ahead of the benchmark ASX 300, which rose +1.8%.

The main reasons for the Fund’s better relative performance were strong performances by many of our key holdings, as well as a poor month for the large iron ore miners which we remain cautious of due to their cyclicality.

Brambles was up 6% in April, after improving its pricing and margins and so upgrading guidance. Telstra rose too after a positive shareholder response to its price rises. Medibank Private, Orica and CSL also performed strongly.
The Lottery Corporation had a disappointing month, dropping slightly after smaller jackpots impacted revenue.

The continuing sharemarket strength implies a belief in a painless retreat from high inflation as well as an early easing of interest rates. There are risks to this scenario, with inflation only likely to fall with consumer belt tightening and a rise in unemployment. The companies in the fund are well-established with competitive advantages and recurring earnings, making them more resilient and likely to perform well in a range of different economic conditions.

Performance Commentary - March 31, 2023

The Australian Share Fund performed well over the quarter, +3.0%, slightly lagging the benchmark’s +3.3%.

The MSCI World Index was up +7.2% for the quarter, similar to the prior quarter. However, it has been a more volatile ride. Markets rose strongly at the start of 2023, then fluctuated as investors’ fears about interest rates, inflation and a slowing global economy waxed and waned. Things came to a head in March as a US regional banking crisis unfolded and spread to Europe, then eased as regulators took steps to calm markets.

The ASX 300 lagged global markets, up +3.3%, with mixed performance at a sectoral level. Most sectors were up, with Consumer Discretionary strongest, up +10.8%, driven by investors’ willingness to take on more risk and some strong individual performances followed by Communication Services (up +9.5%) off the back of Telstra’s strong performance. Financial Services was the weakest, down -2.7%, on worries about the unfolding banking crisis and mortgage competition. Real Estate also was down slightly on concerns of falling commercial property values and rising interest rates.

The Fund benefitted from strong performances from Telstra, Brambles, Medibank and The Lottery Corporation after they announced strong first half FY23 results. Sonic Healthcare also performed well, rising as it reported strong underlying earnings despite its overall revenue dropping as the Covid testing bonanza faded.

Aurizon’s performance held the fund back over the quarter as it announced lower-than expected earnings due to poor weather. Amcor was also down as it reported declining packaging volumes in some categories. We believe the issues for both stocks are temporary and we are confident in their long-term prospects.

We used share price weakness to increase our positions in Aurizon, Sonic Healthcare and Tabcorp and heightened share prices to trim our positions in The Lottery Corporation and Newscorp.

Performance Commentary - February 28, 2023

The Fund was up slightly in February, +0.3%, well ahead of the benchmark ASX 300, which dropped -2.5%.

The main reasons for the Fund’s better relative performance were resilient performances by many of our holdings, as well as a sell-off in the Resources companies, where we remain cautious.

Many of the Fund’s key holdings rose strongly after announcing positive results in reporting season including Brambles, Medibank and The Lottery Corporation. Aurizon had a disappointing month, sold down after it reported a drop in earnings due to poor weather which affected the amount of coal transported during June to December 2022.

Global markets were weaker during February as inflationary concerns resurfaced and bond markets sold off. We continue to position the Fund in well-established, profitable companies that are well-positioned to perform well in these uncertain economic conditions, while staying alert to any opportunities that the current market volatility brings.

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