M&G Fund of Investment Trust Shares

Transcription

1 M&G Fund of Investment Trust Shares a sub-fund of M&G Investment Funds (3) Annual Short Report June 2017 For the year ended 30 June 2017

2 Fund information The Authorised Corporate Director (ACD) of M&G Investment Funds (3) presents its Annual Short Report for M&G Fund of Investment Trust Shares which contains a review of the fund s investment activities and investment performance during the period. The ACD s Annual Long Report and audited Financial Statements for M&G Investment Funds (3), incorporating all the sub-funds and a Glossary of terms is available free of charge either from our website at or by calling M&G Customer Relations on ACD M&G Securities Limited, Laurence Pountney Hill, London EC4R 0HH Telephone: (Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. M&G Securities Limited is a member of the Investment Association and of the Tax Incentivised Savings Association.) Important information Please note that with effect from 16 December 2016: We have discounted the initial charge to zero on all new investments into sterling share classes that currently carry such a charge. We have waived the exit charges on future withdrawals from all Sterling Class X shares. We have discounted the annual management charge (AMC) for Sterling Class X shares. Investment objective and policy The portfolio is normally limited to shares of investment trust companies. These shares provide a wide spread of investment in the UK and overseas stock markets and are often available at substantial discounts in relation to underlying asset values. Income is not a major factor, and the yield can be expected to be slightly less than the average for investment trust companies. Investment approach The M&G Fund of Investment Trust Shares is a diversified portfolio of approximately 60 investment companies with exposure to the UK and overseas. The fund manager uses his judgement to decide upon areas and investment vehicles from which long-term growth (over five years or more) can be obtained. Additional criteria used include the investment philosophy and objective of the underlying holdings and the ability of each manager to deliver on them; and the discount at which its shares are trading. Holdings may be sold if there is a change in the fund manager's view; a failure of the underlying company to deliver on stated objectives; corporate activity, which leads the fund manager to take profits; or if the fund manager believes a holding has become overvalued. The initial charge on all sterling share classes and the exit charges on all Sterling Class X shares were effectively removed as from 28 April The AMC for Sterling Class X shares was effectively reduced from 1.50% to 1.00% from 28 April

3 Fund information Investment review Risk profile The fund invests in the shares of investment trust companies and is exposed to a wide spread of investments in the UK and overseas stockmarkets. The fund is, therefore, subject to the price volatility of the global stockmarkets and the performance of individual investment trust companies. The fund is also subject to fluctuations in currency exchange rates. Diversification across markets, industries and asset classes is therefore key in managing liquidity risk and reducing market risk. The fund s risks are measured and managed as an integral part of the investment process. Please note that the risk management policies are set out in full in the financial statements and notes sections of the Annual Long Report and audited Financial Statements of M&G Investment Funds (3). The following table shows the risk number associated with the fund and is based on Sterling Class A shares. Low risk Typically lower rewards The above number: High risk Typically higher rewards is based on the rate at which the value of the fund has moved up and down in the past and is based on historical data so may not be a reliable indicator of the future risk profile of the fund. is not guaranteed and may change over time and the lowest risk number does not mean risk free. has changed during this period. From 1 July 2016 to 23 March 2017 the risk number was 5. As at 3 July 2017, for the year ended 30 June 2017 Performance against objective The M&G Fund of Investment Trust Shares continued to be invested in accordance with its investment objective over the period under review. Between 1 July 2016 (the start of the review period) and 3 July 2017, the fund s Sterling Class A and X shares produced a total return (the combination of income and growth of capital) of 30.8% and 30.5%, respectively*. Meanwhile, the FTSE All-Share Equity Investment Instruments Index, which is an index of comparable investment trusts, returned 26.8%. To give an indication of the performance of the fund, the following table shows the compound rate of return, per annum, over the period for Sterling Class A (Accumulation) shares. Calculated on a price to price basis with income reinvested. Long-term performance One Three Five Since year years years launch % [a] % p.a. % p.a. % p.a. Sterling [b] Class A [c] [a] Absolute basis. [b] Price to price with income reinvested. [c] 10 May 1968, the end of the initial offer period of the predecessor unit trust. Please note past performance is not a guide to future performance and the value of investments, and the income from them, will fluctuate. This will cause the fund price to fall as well as rise and you may not get back the original amount you invested. Investment performance Global stockmarkets were on an upward trend for much of the 12 months under review, as investors generally shrugged off concerns about the UK s decision to leave the European Union (EU), terrorist activity and an attempted coup in Turkey. Meanwhile, economic data from the major developed countries has mainly been encouraging, which supported sentiment. The unexpected victory of Donald Trump in the US presidential election in November led to some volatility and mixed reactions around the globe. Some emerging and Asian markets were weak at this time 3 4

4 Investment review due to concerns about the possibility of protectionist trade measures from the new president. In the US, expectations of pro-growth policies, particularly the prospect of increased government spending, drove the stockmarket higher. Elsewhere, investors in many markets increasingly felt the expected measures could benefit the global economy. However, this optimism was tempered somewhat in the spring following the defeat of important health policy reforms in the US as investors started to question the ability of President Trump to push through his policies. In other markets, investors were relieved in the spring of 2017 as populist contenders failed to overturn mainstream candidates in key elections in the Netherlands and France. In June, market observers were largely unfazed by the unexpected result of the UK general election, which led the ruling Conservative Party to form a minority government with the support of Northern Ireland s Democratic Unionist Party. In this buoyant environment, the FTSE World Index produced solid gains of 22.1% in sterling terms, with all major markets producing positive returns over the 12 months. Turning to individual markets, the US stockmarket was robust for much of the period under review, with some better-than-expected economic growth supporting investor sentiment. In response to the ongoing economic recovery, the US Federal Reserve raised interest rates three times during the period under review. Meanwhile, a number of political controversies coming out of Washington during the spring dampened sentiment at times. The fund s US holdings added modest value, with contributors including Gabelli Value Plus+ Trust. Elsewhere, the Japanese stockmarket produced very solid gains in local currency terms, although the weakness of the Japanese yen dampened returns from this market a little in sterling terms. Japanese company shares, or equities, were buoyed by continued supportive monetary policy from the Bank of Japan and, after initial concerns, better-than-expected economic growth in China. The fund s presence in Japan was favourable overall; a holding in the Baillie Gifford Japan Trust was helpful, although the allocation to Japanese smaller companies held back returns. The mood of investors in many Asian and emerging markets was similarly affected by news flow regarding the health of the Chinese economy, with doubts early in the review period giving way to improved sentiment as China s economy appeared to stabilise. Greater confidence about prospects for the global economy also boosted regional stockmarkets. In this environment, Asian and emerging markets rose sharply over the 12 months under review. In terms of Asian holdings in the portfolio, Schroder Asian Total Return Investment and Weiss Korea Opportunity Fund added value, while the fund s presence in emerging markets held back returns overall. Specific detractors included Fundsmith Emerging Equities Trust. Commodity prices were supported by stronger economic performance from China and the US for much of the period. Miners performed well, while oil stocks came under pressure at times despite the efforts of oil-producing nations to reduce the global supply glut, leading to broadly flat returns for the full period. In terms of the fund s holdings, Blackrock World Mining added modest value. In other markets, economic activity in Europe appears to be picking up, and a range of data suggests that the recovery is set to continue. Indeed, the European Central Bank (ECB) felt sufficiently confident to reduce the scale of its asset-purchase programme, which was designed to support the economy. Against this backdrop, the European stockmarket produced healthy gains over the 12 months under review, with the relative strength of the euro bolstering returns in sterling terms. The fund s holdings in European assets contributed positively to performance, with JPMorgan European Smaller Companies Investment Trust and The European Investment Trust adding notable value over the 12 months. UK company shares largely shrugged aside an uncertain geopolitical and economic backdrop to produce solid returns over the review period. However, sterling subsequently came under pressure and the British pound remains significantly weaker against the US dollar and euro than pre-referendum levels. UK economic data has been generally better than expected, but the most recent figures suggest that domestic economic growth is slowing. Against this backdrop, the UK stockmarket produced healthy gains over the 12 months, although it trailed most major markets. The fund s UK holdings held back returns overall, although UK smaller companies added value. Specific contributors included River & Mercantile UK Micro Cap Investment and Artemis Alpha Trust, while positions in Keystone Investment Trust and Value & Income Trust detracted. The fund s global equity holdings performed well, with Monks Investment Trust and Miton Global Opportunities adding significant value, while Ruffer Investment cost some performance. The fund s range of specialist holdings was positive for returns overall, with specific contributors including Polar Capital Technology Trust, but BBGI (formerly Bilfinger Berger Global Infrastructure Fund) 5 6

5 Investment review disappointed. Meanwhile, the fund s private equity assets were positive for performance; both F&C Private Equity Trust and Pantheon International added solid value. Investment activities We started a new position in PRS REIT, where the government has taken a 10% stake. PRS REIT is building a portfolio of newly constructed, professionally managed housing in locations outside London. The private rental company aims to build quality family homes near good schools and transport links. The company believes it has the potential to deliver an attractive level of dividend income together with the prospect of capital growth. We also initiated a holding in Greencoat UK Wind, which has an interesting project pipeline in UK windfarms. Aside from its own merits, Greencoat provides useful diversification, which is particularly appealing in the current uncertain environment. In other transactions, we added to the position in BACIT, which was formed in 2012 with the ultimate goal of helping to find a cure for cancer. In December 2016, BACIT bought the life-science subsidiary of global charitable foundation Wellcome Trust, Syncona Partners, with the new entity becoming known as Syncona. The aim of the move was an attempt to address the lack of long-term capital that the companies believe is holding back the commercialisation of life science research projects. We have traditionally had a relatively light presence in the US market in the fund, which has been performing well in recent years, and we added to our exposure to US equities. We achieved this via a derivative instrument providing access to the S&P 500 Index, rather than directly through a financial holding. The asset is very easily accessible, which should enable us to move swiftly should the US stocks fall deeply out of favour with investors at any point. In terms of sales, we closed the positions in JPMorgan Global Convertibles and Better Capital following disappointing performances. In addition, we trimmed the positions in Fundsmith Emerging Equities Trust and Montanaro UK Smaller Companies Investment Trust as we feel there are better opportunities elsewhere. We also reduced the position in Scottish Mortgage Investment Trust, although the holding remains the largest position in the fund. also reduced the position in The European Investment Trust following the sudden departure of the underlying fund manager. We continue to monitor the holding. Outlook The global economy continues to advance, with many major markets releasing positive data, and investor sentiment remains positive. However, a range of issues have the potential to throw up unexpected developments, which could lead to periods of volatility in the near term. For example, more than a year on from the UK s referendum on EU membership, there is still little clarity about the government s objectives in the Brexit negotiations. Moreover, post the general election in June, the UK government s position and ability to push through its aims regarding Brexit and policies in general have been weakened. In the US, investors have become less convinced that President Trump will be able to implement his policy goals; meanwhile, the International Monetary Fund has cut its growth forecasts for the US for this year and next. In Europe, while elections earlier in the year have passed smoothly, Germany faces key elections in the autumn. The fund is invested in a range of assets across different geographies, company sizes and specialist investments. The aim of this diversified approach is to provide access to potentially strong performances while minimising the effects of any short-term volatility. As ever, we continue to look for mispriced assets and attractive investment opportunities from around the world. In selecting potential investments, we also pay close attention to the ability of the fund managers of the underlying holdings. Richard O Connor Fund manager An employee of M&G Limited which is an associate of M&G Securities Limited. * For the performance of each share class, please refer to the Long-term performance by share class table in the Fund performance section of the Annual Long Report and audited Financial Statements for M&G Investment Funds (3). Please note that the views expressed in this Report should not be taken as a recommendation or advice on how the fund or any holding mentioned in the Report is likely to perform. If you wish to obtain financial advice as to whether an investment is suitable for your needs, you should consult a Financial Adviser. Elsewhere, Aberdeen Frontier Markets was wound up as part of a restructuring process and we took the opportunity to exit the holding as the new structure was not as compelling as the previous entity. We 7 8

6 Investment review Portfolio statement as at 30 June Holding 000 % % Flexible investment 3, [a] 400,000 Miton Global Opportunities Investment Trust (formerly Miton Worldwide Growth Investment Trust) Personal Assets Trust ,000 RIT Capital Partners ,000 Ruffer Investment Company Red. Pref. shares ,000 Syncona (formerly BACIT Investment Trust) Global 6, [a] 110,000 Alliance Trust ,000 Caledonia Investments ,000 Hansa Trust A shares ,000 Monks Investment Trust 1, ,000 Scottish Mortgage Investment Trust 1, ,300 Witan Investment Trust 1, UK all companies 2, ,000 Artemis Alpha Trust ,000 Keystone Investment Trust ,991 Mercantile Investment Trust ,000 Woodford Patient Capital Trust UK equity income 1, ,400 Finsbury Growth & Income Trust ,710 Value & Income Trust UK smaller companies ,000 Montanaro UK Smaller Companies Investment Trust ,675 River & Mercantile UK Micro Cap Fund Europe 2, ,000 Fidelity European Values 1, ,000 JPMorgan European Income Investment Trust ,000 The European Investment Trust European smaller companies 1, ,000 JPMorgan European Smaller Companies Investment Trust 1, North America 2, ,000 Gabelli Value Plus+ Trust ,000 JPMorgan American Investment Trust 1, ,000 Middlefield Canadian Income Trusts Portfolio statement (continued) as at 30 June Holding 000 % % North American smaller companies ,109 North Atlantic Smaller Companies Investment Trust Global emerging markets 1, [a] 58,000 Aberdeen Emerging Markets Investment Company ,500 Fundsmith Emerging Equities Trust ,000 Templeton Emerging Markets Investment Trust ,600 Utilico Emerging Markets Asia Pacific - excluding Japan 2, ,000 Aberdeen Asian Income Fund ,000 Edinburgh Dragon Trust 1, ,802 Schroder Asian Total Return Investment Company ,500 Weiss Korea Opportunity Fund [b] Japan ,000 Baillie Gifford Japan Trust Japanese smaller companies 1, ,500 Baillie Gifford Shin Nippon ,000 JPMorgan Japan Smaller Companies Investment Trust Private equity 2, ,000 F&C Private Equity Trust ,000 Pantheon International 1, Property 1, ,000 Ediston Property Investment Company REIT ,403 TR Property Investment Trust 1, Specialist 4, [a] 623,296 BBGI ,000 Biotech Growth Trust ,000 BlackRock World Mining Trust ,042 CATCo Reinsurance Opportunities Fund ,500 Ecofin Global Utilities and Infrastructure ,000 Greencoat UK Wind ,832 P2P Global Investments ,000 Polar Capital Technology Trust 1, Real estate investment trusts ,000 PRS REIT

7 Investment review Portfolio statement (continued) as at 30 June Holding 000 % % Unquoted / unlisted ,000 Bioscience Investment Trust ,000,000 M&G Equity Investment Trust (capital shares) ,305,397 M&G Equity Investment Trust (income shares) ,744 Thompson Clive Investment Trust Futures (3) (0.01) (0.01) 16 E-Mini S&P 500 Sep 2017 (3) (0.01) Portfolio of investments 37, AAA rated money market funds [c] 1, ,473,000 Northern Trust Global Fund - Sterling 1, Total portfolio 38, Net other assets / (liabilities) (21) (0.05) (0.12) Net assets attributable to shareholders 38, All securities are on an official stock exchange listing except where referenced. [a] The comparative sector weightings have been re-analysed to reflect changes to the sector classifications. [b] AIM quoted. [c] Uncommitted surplus cash is placed into AAA rated money market funds with the aim of reducing counterparty risk. Top portfolio transactions for the year to 30 June 2017 Purchases 000 Ecofin Global Utilities and Infrastructure 469 Greencoat UK Wind 320 PRS REIT 184 Utilico Emerging Markets 102 EF Realisation 88 Syncona (formerly BACIT Investment Trust) 66 BBGI 19 Total purchases 1,248 Largest sales 000 Ecofin Water & Power Opportunities 872 Aberdeen Frontier Market 685 The European Investment Trust 443 Fundsmith Emerging Equities Trust 308 Scottish Mortgage Investment Trust 229 Personal Assets Trust 196 Monks Investment Trust 176 JPMorgan American Investment Trust 142 River & Mercantile UK Micro Cap Fund 83 Baillie Gifford Japan Trust 77 Other sales 509 Total sales 3,720 Purchases and sales exclude the cost and proceeds of AAA rated money market funds

8 Financial highlights Fund performance Please note past performance is not a guide to future performance and the value of investments, and the income from them, will fluctuate. This will cause the fund price to fall as well as rise and you may not get back the original amount you invested. Ten-year performance Please note that comparative data is not available from fund launch. Therefore a ten-year comparable performance chart is shown below. The following charts and tables reflect the key financial information of a representative share class, Sterling Class A (Accumulation) shares. As different share classes have different attributes, for example charging structures and minimum investments, please be aware that their performance may be different. Please refer to the Prospectus for M&G Investment Funds (3), which is available free of charge either from our website at or by calling M&G Customer Relations. For the specific performance table of your share class please refer to the Annual Long Report and audited Financial Statements for M&G Investment Funds (3), which is available free of charge either from our website at or by calling M&G Customer Relations Ten years, 3 July 2007 = 100, plotted monthly Chart date 3 July 2017 Fund level performance Fund net asset value as at 30 June Fund net asset value (NAV) 38,515 30,737 33, Sterling Class A (Accumulation) shares* FTSE World Index FTSE All-Share Equity Investment Instruments Index * Income reinvested Source: Morningstar, Inc. and M&G Performance since launch To give an indication of how the fund has performed since launch, the chart below shows total return of Sterling Class A (Accumulation) shares. May 1968 = 100, plotted monthly Chart date 3 July ,000 10,000 7,000 5,000 3,000 2,000 1,500 1, Sterling Class A (Accumulation) shares* * Income reinvested Source: Morningstar, Inc. and M&G 13 14

9 Financial highlights Fund performance Financial highlights Operating charges and portfolio transaction costs To give an indication of how the fund has performed during the period the table below shows the performance of Sterling Class A (Accumulation) shares. All Performance and charges percentages represent an annual rate except for the Return after operating charges which is calculated as a percentage of the opening net asset value per share (NAV). Dilution adjustments are only in respect of direct portfolio transaction costs. Sterling Class A Accumulation share performance The share class was launched on 10 May for the year to 30 June Change in NAV per share UK p UK p UK p Opening NAV 4, , , Return before operating charges and after direct portfolio transaction costs 1, Operating charges (56.37) (47.15) (46.86) Return after operating charges 1, (0.77) Distributions (23.70) (30.92) (23.61) Retained distributions Closing NAV 5, , , Direct portfolio transaction costs UK p UK p UK p Costs before dilution adjustments Dilution adjustments [a] (0.25) (0.48) (0.38) Total direct portfolio transaction costs Performance and charges % % % Direct portfolio transaction costs [b] Operating charges Return after operating charges Historic yield Effect on yield of charges offset against capital We explain below the payments made to meet the ongoing costs of investing and managing the fund, comprised of operating charges and portfolio transaction costs. Operating charges Operating charges include payments made to M&G and to providers independent of M&G: Investment management: Charge paid to M&G for investment management of the fund (also known as Annual Management Charge). Administration: Charge paid to M&G for administration services in addition to investment management any surplus from this charge will be retained by M&G. Oversight and other independent services: Charges paid to providers independent of M&G for services which include depositary, custody and audit. Operating charges do not include portfolio transaction costs or any entry and exit charges (also known as initial and redemption charges). The charging structures of share classes may differ, and therefore the operating charges may differ. Operating charges are the same as the ongoing charges shown in the Key Investor Information Document, other than where an estimate has been used for the ongoing charge because a material change has made the operating charges unreliable as an estimate of future charges. For this fund there is no difference between operating charges and ongoing charges figures, unless disclosed under the specific share class performance table. Other information Closing NAV ( 000) 21,664 17,294 18,924 Closing NAV percentage of total fund NAV (%) Number of shares 413, , ,844 Highest share price (UK p) 5, , , Lowest share price (UK p) 4, , , [a] In respect of direct portfolio transaction costs. [b] As a percentage of average net asset value

10 Financial highlights Operating charges and portfolio transaction costs Portfolio transaction costs Portfolio transaction costs are incurred by funds when buying and selling investments. These costs vary depending on the types of investment, their market capitalisation, country of exchange and method of execution. They are made up of direct and indirect portfolio transaction costs: Direct portfolio transaction costs: Broker execution commission and taxes. Indirect portfolio transaction costs: Dealing spread the difference between the buying and selling prices of the fund s investments; some types of investment, such as fixed interest securities, have no direct transaction costs and only the dealing spread is paid. Investments are bought or sold by a fund when changes are made to the investment portfolio and in response to net flows of money into or out of the fund from investors buying and selling shares in the fund. To protect existing investors, portfolio transaction costs incurred as a result of investors buying and selling shares in the fund are recovered from those investors through a dilution adjustment to the price they pay or receive. The table below shows direct portfolio transaction costs paid by the fund before and after that part of the dilution adjustment relating to direct portfolio transaction costs. To give an indication of the indirect portfolio dealing costs the table also shows the average portfolio dealing spread. Further information on this process is in the Prospectus, which is available free of charge on request either from our website at or by calling M&G Customer Relations. Portfolio transaction costs for the year to 30 June Average [a] Direct portfolio transaction costs [b] % % % % Broker commission Taxes Costs before dilution adjustments Dilution adjustments [c] (0.01) (0.01) (0.01) (0.01) Total direct portfolio transaction costs as at 30 June Average [a] Indirect portfolio transaction costs % % % % Average portfolio dealing spread [a] Average of first three columns. [b] As a percentage of average net asset value. [c] In respect of direct portfolio transaction costs. 17

11 Contact Customer Relations* Write to us at:** M&G Securities Limited PO Box 9039 Chelmsford CM99 2XG Our website: us with queries: * For security purposes and to improve the quality of our service, we may record and monitor telephone calls. You will require your M&G client reference. Failure to provide this will affect your ability to transact with us. ** Please remember to quote your name and M&G client reference and sign any written communication to M&G. Failure to provide this may affect your ability to transact with us. Please note that information contained within an cannot be guaranteed as secure. We advise that you do not include any sensitive information when corresponding with M&G in this way. M&G Securities Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and provides investment products. The company s registered office is Laurence Pountney Hill, London EC4R 0HH. Registered in England number _SR_310818