Threadneedle Absolute Return Bond Fund

Transcription

1 Interim Short Report 31 October 2018 Fund Manager s Report Adrian Hilton Performance of Class 1 Accumulation shares* Over the six months to 31 October 2018, the published share price of Class 1 Accumulation shares in the Threadneedle Absolute Return Bond Fund has fallen from 56.04p to 54.98p. Using noon prices, the performance of the Class 1 share class was -1.89% and -1.68% for the Class 2 share class compared to a return of -1.85% for the Morningstar UK Unit Trusts/OEICS (IA) Absolute Return Peer Group (on a bid to bid basis, with income reinvested for a UK basic rate taxpayer). For information purposes, the UK LIBOR 3 Month Deposit Rate returned +0.37%. Market Overview and Portfolio Activity After a weak start to the year, growth has stabilised or rebounded in many countries, especially in the US, though euro area activity has been slower to pick up. The eurozone political landscape was also unfavourable. In Italy, the formation of a populist coalition saw fears mount about a rapid expansion of government spending and a collision course with Brussels: developments which hurt peripheral eurozone sovereigns as well as European investment-grade bonds. Both fixed-income and equity markets were also periodically unsettled by jitters over global trade, and contagion from Turkey s currency crisis, though optimism over the booming US economy and strong corporate earnings buoyed sentiment somewhat. US Treasuries underperformed German bunds due to relatively lower interest rate expectations in the eurozone. The European Central Bank (ECB) reiterated that it would end quantitative easing this year but also signalled rate hikes would not be forthcoming until autumn Meanwhile, the Federal Reserve remained confident in its hiking cycle, which led to rising US bond yields and a flattened yield curve, as long-run inflation and growth expectations remained muted. The dollar had a strong half-year, benefiting from safe-haven demand and speculation that the Fed would tighten its easy money tap faster than its developed world peers. Emerging markets underperformed considerably due to trade war concerns, slowing growth, a stronger dollar and higher US bond yields. Idiosyncratic issues, notably in Turkey and Argentina, exacerbated the sell-off. Total Expense Ratio (TER) Within rates, we started the period with a long duration bias as we viewed the long-term drivers of lower yields as remaining broadly intact. We had a flattening bias across curves. On a tactical basis, we shifted to an outright short on German bunds towards the end of the quarter given the excessive under-pricing of the ECB s intentions. We broadly favoured US Treasuries relative to German bunds given the attractive spreads and our expectations of relative monetary policy movements as well as curve flattening positions. We closed our exposure to Russian and South African sovereign debt over the period given the negative thematic for emerging markets. Given the seemingly excessive pricing of default risk in Italian government bonds, we traded the Italian-German government bond spread tactically over the second half of the period, looking for compression. Within currency strategies, we held a negative bias to the US dollar, expressed against a combination of Canadian dollars and Norwegian krone at the start of the period. However, we removed all dollar shorts soon after the extent of the outperformance of the US economy became more apparent. We subsequently viewed the dollar to be stuck between competing structural and cyclical forces, and held tactical modest shorts at times. We continued to view the Norwegian krone as undervalued relative to the euro vis-à-vis the imminent tightening cycle from the Norges Bank. The Fed s lack of confidence in the potential for productivity to rise, and its inability to see this until it has actually occurred, should prevent the bank s long-term estimates of trend growth and neutral rates rising. In turn, this should keep real yields subdued and the curve on a flattening trajectory as the Fed sticks to its hiking path. We have positioned for a continuing flattening of the US curve. We are also positioned for a higher repricing of ECB rate expectations, as concerns over the economic slowdown and Italian politics subside, and will look for opportunities to trade Italian bonds from the long side. The US dollar is still benefiting from strong US growth, although we feel GDP figures flatter the underlying growth trajectory, particularly given Trump s protectionist stance. We retain a negative long-term view on the dollar as the fiscal forces that have promoted a near-term strengthening will ultimately undermine it through wider federal and current account deficits. Historically, greater deficits have presaged dollar weakness and curve flattening. However, global growth data must stabilise before we are enthused to re-position the fund for a weaker dollar. Fund Facts Fund Accounting and Distribution Dates Accounting Dates Payment Dates 30 April 30 June The TER is calculated following the Swiss Funds & Asset Management Association guideline. The TER expresses the sum of all costs and commissions charged on an ongoing basis to each class of shares (Operating Expenses) taken retrospectively as a percentage of their net assets, and is calculated using the following formula: TER % = Total Operating Expenses Average Net Assets x 100 The formula includes the annual management fee and all administrative costs incurred by the fund. Share class 31 October April 2018 Class 1 Accumulation shares 1.09% 1.07% Class 1 Gross accumulation shares 1.10% 1.07% Class 2 Accumulation shares 0.67% 0.65% Class 2 Gross accumulation shares 0.68% 0.65% Class X Gross accumulation shares 0.13% 0.08% *In pound Sterling and against UK peer group.

2 Summary of Fund Performance Performance History (%) Share class Class 1 Accumulation shares Class 1 EUR Hedged Accumulation shares 2* Class 1 Gross accumulation shares Class 1 EUR Hedged Gross accumulation shares 2* Class 1 USD Hedged Gross accumulation shares 2* Class 2 Accumulation shares Class 2 Gross accumulation shares Class 2 EUR Hedged Gross accumulation shares 2* Class X Gross accumulation shares To 31 October Commenced 24 February * Closed 21 November 2017, data run up till then. Source: Morningstar and Columbia Threadneedle. Bid to bid prices are quoted (i.e. not including any initial charge) with gross income reinvested. Performance data is quoted in Euros, unless otherwise stated. You should not view past performance as an indication of performance in the future. Please remember that the value of investments and any income from them may fall as well as rise. The real value of that income may fall over time. Net Asset Value (NAV) NAV pence per share Number of shares in issue As at Share class NAV ( ) 31 October 2018 Class 1 Accumulation shares 11,068, ,135, April 2018 Class 1 Accumulation shares 12,382, ,104, April 2017 Class 1 Accumulation shares 19,887, ,866, April 2016 Class 1 Accumulation shares 30,696, ,794, April 2017 Class 1 EUR Hedged Accumulation shares 9, , April 2016 Class 1 EUR Hedged Accumulation shares 9, , October 2018 Class 1 Gross accumulation shares 1,652, ,934, April 2018 Class 1 Gross accumulation shares 1,744, ,040, April 2017 Class 1 Gross accumulation shares 2,001, ,425, April 2016 Class 1 Gross accumulation shares 39,830, ,329, April 2017 Class 1 EUR Hedged Gross accumulation shares 9, , April 2016 Class 1 EUR Hedged Gross accumulation shares 9, , April 2017 Class 1 USD Hedged Gross accumulation shares 10, , April 2016 Class 1 USD Hedged Gross accumulation shares 9, , October 2018 Class 2 Accumulation shares 11,135, ,813, April 2018 Class 2 Accumulation shares 13,016, ,625, April 2017 Class 2 Accumulation shares 17,931, ,384, April 2016 Class 2 Accumulation shares 40,212, ,586, October 2018 Class 2 Gross accumulation shares 574, , April 2018 Class 2 Gross accumulation shares 696, ,117, April 2017 Class 2 Gross accumulation shares 4,034, ,387, April 2016 Class 2 Gross accumulation shares 70,599, ,168, April 2017 Class 2 EUR Hedged Gross accumulation shares 10, , April 2016 Class 2 EUR Hedged Gross accumulation shares 9, , October 2018 Class X Gross accumulation shares 2, , April 2018 Class X Gross accumulation shares 2, , April 2017 Class X Gross accumulation shares 2, , April 2016 Class X Gross accumulation shares 3, ,001 Only available to eligible investors.

3 Distribution History/Share Price Range Pence per share Highest share price (pence) Lowest share price (pence) Year to Share class 31 October 2018 Class 1 Accumulation shares April 2018 Class 1 Accumulation shares April 2017 Class 1 Accumulation shares April 2016 Class 1 Accumulation shares April 2018 Class 1 EUR Hedged Accumulation shares¹ April 2017 Class 1 EUR Hedged Accumulation shares April 2016 Class 1 EUR Hedged Accumulation shares October 2018 Class 1 Gross accumulation shares April 2018 Class 1 Gross accumulation shares April 2017 Class 1 Gross accumulation shares April 2016 Class 1 Gross accumulation shares April 2018 Class 1 EUR Hedged Gross accumulation shares¹ April 2017 Class 1 EUR Hedged Gross accumulation shares April 2016 Class 1 EUR Hedged Gross accumulation shares April 2018 Class 1 USD Hedged Gross accumulation shares¹ April 2017 Class 1 USD Hedged Gross accumulation shares April 2016 Class 1 USD Hedged Gross accumulation shares October 2018 Class 2 Accumulation shares April 2018 Class 2 Accumulation shares April 2017 Class 2 Accumulation shares April 2016 Class 2 Accumulation shares October 2018 Class 2 Gross accumulation shares April 2018 Class 2 Gross accumulation shares April 2017 Class 2 Gross accumulation shares April 2016 Class 2 Gross accumulation shares April 2018 Class 2 EUR Hedged Gross accumulation shares¹ April 2017 Class 2 EUR Hedged Gross accumulation shares April 2016 Class 2 EUR Hedged Gross accumulation shares October 2018 Class X Gross accumulation shares April 2018 Class X Gross accumulation shares April 2017 Class X Gross accumulation shares April 2016 Class X Gross accumulation shares Commenced 24 February 2016 and closed 21 November Past performance is not a guide to future performance.

4 Classification of Investments 31 October 2018 vs 30 April % 70% 31 October April % 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% -10% United Kingdom South Korea Belgium Netherlands Spain Russia South Africa Derivatives Net other assets Portfolio Information Top Five Holdings as at 31 October 2018 % of Fund United Kingdom Gilt 1.75% 22/07/ United Kingdom Gilt 4.5% 07/03/ ENI Finance International 5% 27/01/ United Kingdom Gilt 0% 21/01/ United Kingdom Gilt 0% 10/12/ Top Five Holdings as at 30 April 2018 % of Fund United Kingdom Gilt 1.25% 22/07/ United Kingdom Gilt 1.75% 22/07/ United Kingdom Gilt 4.5% 07/03/ Russian Federal Bond 7.5% 18/08/ Volkswagen Financial Services 2.625% 22/07/ Investment Objective and Policy The investment objective of the Absolute Return Bond Fund is to achieve a total positive return over a 12 month period in all market conditions. There is a risk to capital, and there is no guarantee that such a return will be achieved within 12 months, or any other timescale. The ACD s investment policy is to invest the assets of the Fund so as to gain exposure to global bond and currency markets. The ACD will invest primarily in derivatives, cash and near cash, fixed interest securities, index linked securities, money market instruments and deposits. At times the portfolio may be concentrated in any one or a combination of such assets. The ACD may take long and short positions through derivatives in such issues. 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 Don Jordison on 1 May 2018; Appointment of Peter Stone on 5 September Changes to the Prospectus During the period from 1 May 2018 to 31 October 2018 the following changes were made to the Prospectus of the Threadneedle Specialist Investment Funds ICVC (the Company): Inclusion of a note regarding the winding up of one sub-fund following successful votes in favour of cross-border mergers; Increase to the initial investment minimum for L Shares; Update to the list of directors of, and funds managed by the ACD; Update to the list of countries where the funds are registered; Update to dilution and performance figures. Changes to the Instrument of Incorporation There were no changes to the Instrument of Incorporation during the period from 1 May 2018 to 31 October 2018.

5 Brexit In June 2016 the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union. While negotiations progress, there is significant uncertainty relating to the UK s withdrawal from the EU, the potential consequences and precise timeframe. It is expected that the UK will exit from the EU on 29 March Depending on the outcome of the UK s negotiations with the European Union, and the existence or otherwise of any formal implementation period, it is possible that the Funds may no longer be eligible to enjoy the rights set out in the UCITS Directive. Ceasing to be so eligible may affect the ability of non-uk domiciled investors to make new investments in the Company. The ACD is monitoring the situation and will keep shareholders informed. The ACD has considered the impact of Brexit for investors in its funds and made a recommendation to investors in the Pan European Equity Dividend Fund that they should vote in favour of a resolution to transfer the fund, using a cross-border UCITS merger, to an equivalent Luxembourgbased fund, in order to provide continuity and certainty for investors. For EU investors, the transfer will remove uncertainty regarding the future status of their investment in their home country. Shareholders voted in favour of the proposal at a meeting of shareholders held on 24 August Following the merger the Pan European Equity Dividend Fund has been closed and is in the process of being wound up. Further information, including a Q&A document is available at 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. No Capital Guarantee Risk: Positive returns are not guaranteed and no form of capital protection applies. Counterparty Risk: The fund may enter into financial transactions with selected counterparties. Any financial difficulties arising at these counterparties could significantly affect the availability and the value of fund assets. Issuer Risk: The Fund invests in securities whose value would be significantly affected if the issuer refused, was unable to or was perceived to be unable to pay. Liquidity Risk: The fund holds assets which could prove difficult to sell. The fund may have to lower the selling price, sell other investments or forego more appealing investment opportunities. Inflation Risk: Most bond and cash funds offer limited capital growth potential and an income that is not linked to inflation. Inflation is likely to affect the value of capital and income over time. Interest Rate Risk: Changes in interest rates are likely to affect the fund s value. In general, as interest rates rise, the price of a fixed rate bond will fall, and vice versa. Valuation Risk: The fund s assets may sometimes be difficult to value objectively and the actual value may not be recognised until assets are sold. Active Currency Investment: The fund actively invests directly in foreign currency instruments. Currency markets are complex and exchange rates are sensitive to political and market events. This aspect of the fund s investment policy may affect the value of your investments. Short Selling Risk: Short selling intends to make a profit from falling prices. However if the value of the underlying investment increases, the value of the short position will decrease. The potential losses are unlimited as the prices of the underlying investments can increase very significantly in a short space of time. Investment in Derivatives Risk: The Investment Policy of the fund allows it to invest materially in derivatives. Leverage Risk: Leverage amplifies the effect that a change in the price of an investment has on the fund s value. As such, leverage can enhance returns to investors but can also increase losses, including losses in excess of the amount invested. Further risks applicable to the fund can be found in the Prospectus. Risk and Reward Profile As at 31 October 2018 the figure for the risk and reward profile disclosed in the most recent KIID representing this fund is 3. The fund is in this specific category because historically it has shown a medium to low 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 Annual 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 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 Sutherland (International) 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 *Calls will be recorded. 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 Paying and Information Agent in Belgium CACEIS Belgium S.A. avenue du Port 86 C b Brussels Belgium Representative and Paying Agent in Switzerland BNP Paribas Securities Services, Paris, succursale de Zurich Selnaustrasse Zurich Switzerland 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 ENCH