Welcome to the September 2019 Investment Update for the Switzer Dividend Growth Fund (SWTZ). Click here to download the report.

Investment Objective

SWTZ is an income-focussed exchange traded managed fund with a mix of yield and quality companies. The objective of the fund is to generate an above-market yield while maximising franking where possible and to deliver capital growth over the long term. We select companies that, in aggregate, generate sustainable dividend income. The fund is characterised by a strong and diverse portfolio of companies that exhibit good cash flows and strong business models.

Performance Summary

Over the past 12 months, SWTZ has paid a distribution yield of 7.85%, or 11.22% including franking credits. Distribution yield is calculated as the distributions attributable to the 12 months ended 30 September 2019 relative to the SWTZ unit price at the beginning of the period.

Given its focus on income and capital preservation over the long-term, we expect SWTZ to marginally underperform in rising markets and marginally outperform in falling markets. Pleasingly, this was not the case in September with the portfolio rising 2.69% over the month, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Accumulation Index return which returned 1.84%.

Portfolio Commentary

Activity in the SWTZ portfolio was lower in September after a busy August. The fund did put some cash to work during September, topping up several of its defensive positions including Tabcorp Holdings, Orora, Transurban Group and AusNet Services. The cash weight finished the month at 3.06%, a little above the target weight of a 1.50% – 2.00%.

Market Commentary

Global markets were stronger over the month, recovering some of last month’s falls. The Dow Jones was 2.0% higher, outpacing a 0.50% rise in the NASDAQ. Japan’s TOPIX rose 5.0% whilst China’s CSI 300 Index fell 1.0%.

Markets during the month were, again, driven primarily by US and China trade frictions. This appears to be no closer to a resolution of any kind. Political risk for investors continues to rise with more evidence forthcoming with the attack on Saudi oil installations, which sent the oil price skyrocketing to US$63bbl.

West Texas Intermediate Crude Oil Price

After a significant rally throughout July and August, bond markets gave up some ground in September. The yield on the Australian 10-year benchmark bond closed 13 basis points higher (lower in capital value) month on month at 1.02% whilst its US counterpart finished at 1.66%, up 16 basis points. This sell-off in bonds appeared to drive a change in market leadership during the month with “value” outperforming “growth”. This is the first time that this switch has occurred for a number of years. Given its investment objective, this was beneficial to SWTZ’s portfolio performance.

Sectors were mixed over the month. Within the S&P/ASX 200 Index Energy (+4.7%), Financials (+4.1%), Materials (+3.1%) and Consumer Discretionary (+3.0%) were the best performers whilst Communication Services (-2.9%), Health Care (-2.5%) and REITs (-2.3%) were the worst. Overall, the mix was positive for SWTZ.

The best performing companies in the portfolio for the month were Caltex Australia (+11.3%), Coles Group (+11.3%) and James Hardie Industries (+10.2%). There were no companies in the portfolio that fell more than 10% over the period. The worst performer was Charter Hall Group (-7.9%).

Portfolio Outlook

Growth indicators continued to trend lower during the period, suggesting that economic activity remains subdued. Central banks around the world remain at-the-ready to support economic activity with increased liquidity and lower interest rates. Movements in bond markets are often a good predictor of growth and inflation. Late in the month the sell-off in bonds stabilised and reversed. This suggests that growth and inflation challenges may be far from over. The combination of slow growth and low interest rates remains a positive backdrop for equities.

The portfolio remains predominantly invested in those quality yield companies which pay relatively high and sustainable dividends. This underwrites the SWTZ dividend yield. In a world of sustained, low interest rates, these companies are becoming more and more valuable.

SWTZ also continues to look for companies that can contribute a capital return. Ongoing market volatility may provide an opportunity to invest in businesses that offer attractive, risk-adjusted returns and sell those that have become overvalued.