Threadneedle UK Equity Income Fund

Transcription

1 Interim Short Report 7 September 2017 Fund Manager s Report Richard Colwell Performance of Class 1 Income shares* Over the six months to 7 September 2017, the published of the Threadneedle UK Equity Income Fund has risen from 98.42p to 98.66p. Looking at performance within its peer group, the total return on the fund for the six months ending 31 August 2017, including net reinvested income, +3.48% as compared to a median return of +4.44% over the same period. (For information the FTSE All-Share Total Return Index returned +5.30% over the same period). Market Overview and Portfolio Activity The FTSE All-Share index rose over the six months under review. Sterling strengthened against most of its peers (with the notable exception of the euro) despite uncertainties over the UK s domestic political and economic prospects. From a political viewpoint, while the triggering of Article 50 in March was expected, investors were surprised in April when the prime minister called a snap general election. This propelled sterling higher due to hopes that an increased Conservative majority could strengthen the government s hand in Brexit negotiations. However, the loss of the Conservatives overall majority in June s election rattled markets, particularly sterling and the shares of domestically-geared companies. Equities and sterling later recovered as a deal between the Conservatives and the Democratic Unionist Party of Northern Ireland appeased investors fears of political uncertainty. However, sterling s gains in June were mainly due to growing expectations that the Bank of England (BoE) could soon raise interest rates. The June meeting saw three Monetary Policy Committee members call for higher rates, while hawkish speeches from the bank s governor and chief economist led investors to believe they may also vote the same way in future. Subsequently, July and August saw more dovish noises from the BoE; this, along with an easing of inflation, led investors to push their rate-hike expectations further out. While the UK was the second-fastest growing economy in the G7 in 2016, growth trended lower in the first half of Household expenditure has been squeezed as wage growth has lagged inflation. More positively, the purchasing managers indices for the manufacturing and services sectors have remained in expansionary territory over the review period. Moreover, sterling s Brexit-induced slump has been beneficial for exporters and has also resulted in overseas firms viewing UK-listed companies as attractive takeover targets. Over the review period, we focused on building up our existing holdings, notably Sherborne Investors, Marks & Spencer, Johnson Matthey and *In pound Sterling and against UK peer group. Cobham. We participated in the latest cash raise by proven turnaround specialists Sherborne; we believe the company is well positioned to emulate the success of its most recent project, Electra Private Equity, which has driven the stock s strong outperformance over the last year. In our view, Marks & Spencer has interesting levers to pull, despite market fears over the UK s retail sector. Management s plans to cut costs and close stores in unprofitable locations could be an additional positive catalyst for the stock. For Johnson Matthey, we believe the market has overestimated the death of diesel. This is one of the reasons why the stock is trading close to historic lows, despite the company s significant revenue growth and cost reduction opportunities. We topped up by Cobham by purchasing shares in the market as well as by participating in its rights issue. In our view, the defence manufacturer has a resilient underlying business, which offers multiple opportunities for value creation. Exits included National Grid and Standard Life. We believed that National Grid was fully valued and have less conviction in the outlook for the company with the clear regulatory headwinds in the UK. For Standard Life, we had an unfavourable view of its merger with Aberdeen Asset Management and were wary of the terms and execution of the deal. We sold WS Atkins at a profit following the strong run-up in its after the firm received a takeover bid from its Canadian rival SNC Lavalin. Global news flow continues to generate some market volatility. We note that stock markets have been amongst the primary beneficiaries of money printing; therefore, we are wary of the how the global economy will cope as monetary easing is reduced and central banking policy shifts from quantitative easing to quantitative tightening. Although we acknowledge that market levels are high, we continue to believe that while the UK s domestic political and economic prospects appear uncertain, the outlook for UK equities is more measured. These continue to trade at attractive valuations relative to those in the US and Europe. Brexit-induced uncertainty has driven global asset allocators to be extremely underweight UK equities we believe this makes domestic corporates attractive takeover targets. Sterling s weakness could also provide additional impetus to the Mergers and Acquisitions wave, which has taken off since the Brexit vote. We will continue to avoid whipsaw momentum trades and focus instead on bottom-up stock picking. As patient, conviction investors, we can use market volatility to add to favoured names at attractive valuations, while making sure that our portfolio construction remains focused on riskadjusted returns. Fund Facts Fund Accounting and Distribution Dates Accounting Dates Payment Dates 7 March 7 May 7 June 7 August 7 September 7 November 7 December 7 February Ongoing Charges Figure The Ongoing Charges Figure (OCF) is the European standard method of disclosing the charges of a share class of a fund based on the financial year s expenses and may vary from year to year. It includes charges such as the fund s annual management charge, registration fee, custody fees and distribution cost but ordinarily excludes the costs of buying or selling assets for the fund (unless these assets are shares of another fund). Where published, the Key Investor Information Document (KIID) contains the current OCF. For a more detailed breakdown please visit columbiathreadneedle.com/fees. Share class 7 September March 2017 Class 1 Income shares 1.62% 1.62% Class 1 Accumulation shares 1.62% 1.62% Class 1 CHF Hedged Accumulation shares 1.62% 1.62% Class 1 EUR Hedged Accumulation shares 1.62% 1.61% Class 1 USD Hedged Accumulation shares 1.63% 1.62% Class 2 Income shares 1.06% 1.05% Class 2 Accumulation shares % 1.05% Class D Income shares % Class L Income shares %

2 Share class 7 September March 2017 Class L Accumulation shares² 0.58% Class X Income shares 0.05% 0.05% Class X Accumulation shares² 0.04% Class Z Income shares 0.82% 0.82% Class Z Accumulation shares 0.82% 0.82% Class Z CHF Hedged Accumulation shares 0.83% 0.82% Class Z EUR Hedged Accumulation shares 0.82% 0.82% Class Z USD Hedged Accumulation shares 0.82% 0.82% The Ongoing Charges Figure is annualised based on the fees incurred during the accounting period or since commencement date. 1 Commenced 28 April Commenced 12 May Summary of Fund Performance Performance History (%) Share class Class 1 Income shares Class 1 Accumulation shares Class 1 CHF Hedged Accumulation shares Class 1 EUR Hedged Accumulation shares Class 1 USD Hedged Accumulation shares Class 2 Income shares Class 2 Accumulation shares Class D Income shares Class L Income shares Class L Accumulation shares Class X Income shares Class X Accumulation shares Class Z Income shares Class Z Accumulation shares Class Z CHF Hedged Accumulation shares Class Z EUR Hedged Accumulation shares Class Z USD Hedged Accumulation shares To 31 August Commenced 3 April Commenced 28 April Commenced 12 May Commenced 28 July Commenced 14 September Source: Morningstar and Threadneedle. Bid to bid prices are quoted (i.e. not including any initial charge) with net income reinvested for a UK basic rate tax payer and gross income reinvested for a non-uk resident. Performance data is quoted in sterling, unless otherwise stated. Past performance is not a guide to future investment performance. The value of investments and any income is not guaranteed and can go down as well as up and may be affected by exchange rate fluctuations. This means that an investor may not get back the amount invested. Net Asset Value (NAV) As at Share class NAV ( ) NAV pence per share Number of shares in issue 7 September 2017 Class 1 Income shares 444,391, ,861,807 7 March 2017 Class 1 Income shares 458,627, ,440,679 7 March 2016 Class 1 Income shares 508,686, ,397,128 7 March 2015 Class 1 Income shares 861,518, ,109,075 7 September 2017 Class 1 Accumulation shares 257,251, ,108,199 7 March 2017 Class 1 Accumulation shares 252,135, ,403,198 7 March 2016 Class 1 Accumulation shares 178,048, ,948,493 7 March 2015 Class 1 Accumulation shares 187,106, ,067,425 7 September 2017 Class 1 CHF Hedged Accumulation shares 531, ,874 7 March 2017 Class 1 CHF Hedged Accumulation shares 544, ,574 7 March 2016 Class 1 CHF Hedged Accumulation shares 156, ,446 7 March 2015 Class 1 CHF Hedged Accumulation shares 21, ,001 7 September 2017 Class 1 EUR Hedged Accumulation shares 2,320, ,686,410 7 March 2017 Class 1 EUR Hedged Accumulation shares 919, ,119 7 March 2016 Class 1 EUR Hedged Accumulation shares 508, ,870 7 March 2015 Class 1 EUR Hedged Accumulation shares 158, ,920 7 September 2017 Class 1 USD Hedged Accumulation shares 1,252, ,359 7 March 2017 Class 1 USD Hedged Accumulation shares 1,121, ,658 7 March 2016 Class 1 USD Hedged Accumulation shares 317, ,546 7 March 2015 Class 1 USD Hedged Accumulation shares 307, ,636

3 As at Share class NAV ( ) NAV pence per share Number of shares in issue 7 September 2017 Class 2 Income shares 240,634, ,310,535 7 March 2017 Class 2 Income shares 355,995, ,006,664 7 March 2016 Class 2 Income shares 398,881, ,656,379 7 March 2015 Class 2 Income shares 657,053, ,557,387 7 September 2017 Class 2 Accumulation shares 282, ,590 7 March 2017 Class 2 Accumulation shares 206, ,211 7 September 2017 Class D Income shares 2,049, ,066,781 7 September 2017 Class L Income shares 12,434, ,814,984 7 September 2017 Class L Accumulation shares 6,238, ,166,661 7 September 2017 Class X Income shares 1,259, ,059,608 7 March 2017 Class X Income shares 1,174, ,784 7 March 2016 Class X Income shares 212, ,057 7 March 2015 Class X Income shares 96, ,576 7 September 2017 Class X Accumulation shares 85,935, ,545,484 7 September 2017 Class Z Income shares 2,028,167, ,401,760,168 7 March 2017 Class Z Income shares 1,848,080, ,279,367,778 7 March 2016 Class Z Income shares 1,500,599, ,196,884,492 7 March 2015 Class Z Income shares 1,232,257, ,462,315 7 September 2017 Class Z Accumulation shares 942,214, ,668,511 7 March 2017 Class Z Accumulation shares 799,277, ,595,811 7 March 2016 Class Z Accumulation shares 582,997, ,898,161 7 March 2015 Class Z Accumulation shares 474,468, ,073,132 7 September 2017 Class Z CHF Hedged Accumulation shares 641, ,772 7 March 2017 Class Z CHF Hedged Accumulation shares 714, ,914 7 March 2016 Class Z CHF Hedged Accumulation shares 92, ,322 7 March 2015 Class Z CHF Hedged Accumulation shares 2,742, ,490,585 7 September 2017 Class Z EUR Hedged Accumulation shares 7,532, ,219,522 7 March 2017 Class Z EUR Hedged Accumulation shares 12,484, ,321,764 7 March 2016 Class Z EUR Hedged Accumulation shares 4,736, ,712,878 7 March 2015 Class Z EUR Hedged Accumulation shares 3,789, ,902,389 7 September 2017 Class Z USD Hedged Accumulation shares 2,823, ,661,366 7 March 2017 Class Z USD Hedged Accumulation shares 2,009, ,135,384 7 March 2016 Class Z USD Hedged Accumulation shares 1,579, ,252,625 7 March 2015 Class Z USD Hedged Accumulation shares 1,085, ,669 Distribution History/Share Price Range Highest Lowest Year to Share class Pence per share 7 September 2017 Class 1 Income shares March 2017 Class 1 Income shares March 2016 Class 1 Income shares March 2015 Class 1 Income shares September 2017 Class 1 Accumulation shares March 2017 Class 1 Accumulation shares March 2016 Class 1 Accumulation shares March 2015 Class 1 Accumulation shares September 2017 Class 1 CHF Hedged Accumulation shares March 2017 Class 1 CHF Hedged Accumulation shares March 2016 Class 1 CHF Hedged Accumulation shares March 2015 Class 1 CHF Hedged Accumulation shares¹ September 2017 Class 1 EUR Hedged Accumulation shares March 2017 Class 1 EUR Hedged Accumulation shares March 2016 Class 1 EUR Hedged Accumulation shares March 2015 Class 1 EUR Hedged Accumulation shares¹ September 2017 Class 1 USD Hedged Accumulation shares March 2017 Class 1 USD Hedged Accumulation shares March 2016 Class 1 USD Hedged Accumulation shares March 2015 Class 1 USD Hedged Accumulation shares¹ September 2017 Class 2 Income shares March 2017 Class 2 Income shares March 2016 Class 2 Income shares March 2015 Class 2 Income shares September 2017 Class 2 Accumulation shares March 2017 Class 2 Accumulation shares² September 2017 Class D Income shares³ September 2017 Class L Income shares³ September 2017 Class L Accumulation shares³

4 Highest Lowest Year to Share class Pence per share 7 September 2017 Class X Income shares March 2017 Class X Income shares March 2016 Class X Income shares March 2015 Class X Income shares September 2017 Class X Accumulation shares³ September 2017 Class Z Income shares March 2017 Class Z Income shares March 2016 Class Z Income shares March 2015 Class Z Income shares September 2017 Class Z Accumulation shares March 2017 Class Z Accumulation shares March 2016 Class Z Accumulation shares March 2015 Class Z Accumulation shares September 2017 Class Z CHF Hedged Accumulation shares March 2017 Class Z CHF Hedged Accumulation shares March 2016 Class Z CHF Hedged Accumulation shares March 2015 Class Z CHF Hedged Accumulation shares¹ September 2017 Class Z EUR Hedged Accumulation shares March 2017 Class Z EUR Hedged Accumulation shares March 2016 Class Z EUR Hedged Accumulation shares March 2015 Class Z EUR Hedged Accumulation shares¹ September 2017 Class Z USD Hedged Accumulation shares March 2017 Class Z USD Hedged Accumulation shares March 2016 Class Z USD Hedged Accumulation shares March 2015 Class Z USD Hedged Accumulation shares¹ Commenced 3 April Commenced 28 April Commenced 12 May Commenced 28 July Past performance is not a guide to future performance. Classification of Investments 7 September 2017 vs 7 March % 25% 7 September March % 15% 10% 5% 0% Industrials Consumer services Financials Health care Consumer goods Utilities Oil & gas Telecommunications Basic materials Derivatives Net other assets Portfolio Information Top Five Holdings as at 7 September 2017 % of Fund AstraZeneca 6.61 GlaxoSmithKline 5.75 Imperial Brands 5.00 Electrocomponents 4.80 WM Morrison Supermarkets 4.21 Top Five Holdings as at 7 March 2017 % of Fund GlaxoSmithKline 6.72 AstraZeneca 6.71 Imperial Brands 5.87 WM Morrison Supermarkets 4.28 Royal Dutch Shell B Shares 3.82

5 Investment Objective and Policy To achieve an above average rate of income combined with sound prospects for capital growth. The ACD s investment policy is to invest the assets of the Fund primarily in UK equities. It may, however, invest in other securities such as convertibles and gilts. Key Investor Information Document (KIID) Subscription requirements The KIID is a pre-contractual document and investors have to confirm that they have read the latest KIID before making a subscription. Threadneedle has the right to reject a subscription if the investor does not confirm that they have read the latest KIID at the time of application. Investors can obtain the latest KIID from columbiathreadneedle.com. Changes to the management of the ACD The following changes have been made to the directors of the ACD: Resignation of Mr Tim Gillbanks on 31 March 2017; Appointment of Michelle Scrimgeour on 14 August Changes to the Prospectus During the period from 8 March 2017 to 7 September 2017 the following changes were made to the Prospectus of the Threadneedle Investment Funds ICVC (the Company): Addition of new share classes for mergers of funds of TIF II into five TIF funds on 12 May 2017; Updates to include changes to the COLL rules (including PRN, changes regarding short reports, eligible markets); Updates to reflect changes being made to UK tax on distributions (gross vs net shares, as well as tax changes more generally); Updates to the list of funds managed by the ACD and the directors of the ACD; Enhanced disclosures regarding hedged share classes and performance fee calculations; Updates to performance, dilution adjustments and available share classes; Miscellaneous changes including address of the Financial Services Ombudsman, clarification on privacy statement, clarification of dividend payment dates, addresses of paying agents. Changes to the Instrument of Incorporation There were no changes to the instrument of incorporation of the Company during the period from 8 March 2016 to 7 September Changes to the share class names With effect from 6 April 2017, all payments from the Funds are paid gross of UK tax, following changes to the way savings and investments are taxed in the UK. As a result of the change, the word net has been removed from the names of all the share classes that were previously net paying shares. Key Risks Investment Risk: The value of investments can fall as well as rise and investors might not get back the sum originally invested. Currency Risk: Where investments are in assets that are denominated in multiple currencies, or currencies other than your own, changes in exchange rates may affect the value of the investments. Derivatives for EPM/Hedging Risk: The investment policy of the fund allows it to invest in derivatives for the purposes of reducing risk or minimising the cost of transactions. High Volatility Risk: The fund typically carries a risk of high volatility due to its portfolio composition or the portfolio management techniques used. This means that the fund s value is likely to fall and rise more frequently and this could be more pronounced than with other funds. Further risks applicable to the fund can be found in the Prospectus. Risk and Reward Profile As at 7 September 2017 the figure for the risk and reward profile disclosed in the most recent KIID representing this fund is 5. The fund is in this specific category because historically it has shown a medium to high level of volatility (how much the value of the fund went up and down compared to other categories). It is based on past performance data in pound sterling. If your investment in the fund is not in pound sterling, please check the figure for the risk and reward profile disclosed on our website (columbiathreadneedle.com) according to the currency of your investment in the fund.

6 General Information The information in this report is designed to enable shareholders to make an informed judgement on the activities of the fund during the period it covers and the results of those activities at the end of the period. For further information, please contact Threadneedle Investment Services Limited. The Long Form Report and Financial Statements is available free of charge on request from the ACD and on our website. For more information about the activities and performance of the Company during the period and previous periods, please contact the ACD at the administration address noted below, or visit our website at columbiathreadneedle.com. Contacts: Registered Office Cannon Place 78 Cannon Street London EC4N 6AG Authorised Corporate Director (ACD) Threadneedle Investment Services Limited Cannon Place 78 Cannon Street London EC4N 6AG Registrar Threadneedle Investment Services Limited Delegated to: DST Financial Services Europe Limited* (Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)) St Nicholas Lane Basildon Essex SS15 5FS Investment Manager Threadneedle Asset Management Limited Cannon Place 78 Cannon Street London EC4N 6AG Authorised Corporate Director Client Services Details UK Investors Address: Threadneedle Investment Services Limited PO Box Chelmsford Essex CM99 2AL Telephone (dealing & customer enquiries): ** Fax (dealing): (enquiries): Asian Investors Address: Threadneedle Investment Services Limited International Financial Data Services 47, avenue JF Kennedy L-1855 Luxembourg Telephone (dealing & customer enquiries): ** Fax (dealing): (enquiries): All Other Investors Address: Threadneedle Investment Services Limited International Financial Data Services 47, avenue JF Kennedy L-1855 Luxembourg Telephone (dealing & customer enquiries): ** Fax (dealing): (enquiries): Website: columbiathreadneedle.com Depositary Citibank Europe plc, UK branch (Authorised by the Prudential Regulatory Authority (PRA) and regulated by the FCA and PRA) Citigroup Centre 33 Canada Square Canary Wharf London E14 5LB Legal Advisers Eversheds LLP One Wood Street London EC2V 7WS Baum Financial Services Law Team Grosser Burstah Hamburg Germany Independent Auditor PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP Atria One 144 Morrison Street Edinburgh EH3 8EX Paying and Information Agent in Belgium CACEIS Belgium S.A. Avenue du Port 86C B Brussels Belgium Representative and Paying Agent in Switzerland BNP Paribas Securities Services, Paris, Succursale de Zurich Selnaustrasse Zurich Switzerland *International Financial Data Services (UK) Limited changed its name to DST Financial Services Europe Limited on 15 August **Calls will be recorded. To find out more visit columbiathreadneedle.com Threadneedle Investment Services Limited, ISA Manager, Authorised Corporate Director and Unit Trust Manager. Registered No Registered in England and Wales. Registered Office: Cannon Place, 78 Cannon Street, London EC4N 6AG. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Columbia Threadneedle Investments is the global brand name of the Columbia and Threadneedle group of companies. columbiathreadneedle.com