Having helped DIY investors successfully invest in the Australian share market for over 30 years, we know the value of a well diversified portfolio.
Using the foundations of our quantitative financial health methodology, we spent two years optimising our trusted methodology for the U.S. market. Using a multi-factor model and our Financial Health overlay we have been able to identify a portfolio of financially healthy stocks that are ideal for long term growth.
The end result is our Lincoln U.S. Growth Funds, a Hedged and Unhedged Fund designed for Australian DIY investors who are looking to capitalise on long-term growth in the U.S. market.
By Tim Lincoln Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer
As of 19 August 2024
The Lincoln U.S. Growth Fund has employed a tactical position aimed at reducing risk/volatility in our managed fund portfolio. Our defensive strategy was executed in August 2023, which involved the Fund hedging its equity exposure with the ProShare Ultra Short S&P500 ETF (SPXU). Our decision neutralised the impact of market fluctuations on our investors’ unit prices. However, as intended, investors in the Lincoln U.S. Growth Fund Unhedged will still be exposed to fluctuations in the Australian Dollar / US dollar pair.
This means that we have removed broad market risk from our total return profile. Therefore, our unitholders won’t fully participate in market rallies, but they will not be impacted by market corrections. Unit prices are now solely determined by how well the companies that we invest in perform relative to the broader market. If they outperform, unit prices will go higher, and vice versa.
Many of our clients who know me personally are surprised by my bearish view and the tactical portfolio positioning, as I am usually 100% invested and block out the noise. But this time, I truly believe that market behaviour has been irrational and entirely driven by momentum and excessive optimism for a soft economic landing. The current price to forecasted earnings multiples for the S&P500 Index is trading at extreme levels, and we believe this is a dangerous level to price-earnings as we believe tight monetary conditions will lead to negative earnings revisions in 2024. Thus, with highly elevated prices, we believe that positioning our portfolio defensively is the responsible path.
The extraordinary market rally that has transpired from November 2023 to date has significantly impacted our relative returns to the S&P500 Total Return Index. Although painful, the Fund team is prepared to endure short-term underperformance because we believe capital preservation tactics are prudent in a highly uncertain environment. When the pricing environment better reflects the underlying risks & fundamentals of the market, we fully intend to deploy capital back into the market.
Market volatility picked up markedly during August. The funds are well positioned to minimise drawdown risk over a volatile period, and strong outperformance is expected if volatility persists.
For more information, please contact our Fund Team on 1300 676 333
(a) 01/07/2020 is the inception date of the Lincoln U.S. Growth Fund Hedged and Lincoln U.S. Growth Fund Unhedged funds.
(b) Total Fund return is inclusive of income paid and payable to the Fund to unit holders, in addition to the difference in exit prices for the relevant periods net of management fees, ongoing fees and expenses, and assume distributions are reinvested and that no tax is deduct Performance quoted is historical actual performance. Investments go up and down. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.
(c) S&P 500 Total Return Index is sourced from Standard and Poors.
All Lincoln Indicators Managed Funds are established to provide investors with maximum peace of mind about the security of their investments. Not only do we invest in financially healthy companies that have a low risk of failure, but we also hold all client investments in a segregated trust with our custodian J.P. Morgan Chase Bank. Furthermore we are regulated by the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) in Australia with strict regulatory requirements which govern exactly what we can and can’t do.
Investment Type |
Lincoln U.S. Growth Fund Unhedged Exposed to currency risk |
Lincoln U.S. Growth Fund Hedged Protected from adverse currency fluctuations |
---|---|---|
Minimum Suggested TF | 5 Years | 5 Years |
Minimum Initial Investment | $5,000 | $5,000 |
Minimum Additional Investment | $1,000 | $1,000 |
Management Fee (p.a) | 1.0% | 1.0% |
Performance Fee (p.a.) | 20% of outperformance of the benchmark | 20% of outperformance of the benchmark converted to AUD |
Entry/exit Fees | nil | nil |
Minimum Withdrawal | $1,000 | $1,000 |
Minimum Balance | $5,000 | $5,000 |
Buy/Sell Spread | 0.25% / 0.25% | 0.25% / 0.25% |
Distribution Frequency | Annual | Annual |
Date of inception | 1 July 2020 | 1 July 2020 |
If you invest in the Unhedged fund, you are exposed to fluctuations in the Australian dollar. This can be a good thing if our dollar falls relative to the US dollar. For example, if you were invested in the Lincoln U.S. Growth Fund Unhedged and the value of the Australian dollar decreased relative to the US dollar, then the value of your portfolio would increase. Of course it can also work the other way around.
If you invest in the Hedged fund, we use strategies to offset the impact of currency fluctuations. This means if you invest in the Lincoln U.S. Growth Fund Hedged you are protected from the adverse impact of a rising Australian dollar. But equally, you don’t get to benefit from situations where the Australian dollar is falling.
If you have a strong view on where the Australian dollar is heading, you could favour one approach over the other.
Distributions are paid annually, with the option to reinvest or receive cash directly in to your nominated bank account.
No, the Lincoln U.S. Growth Fund has no minimum investment timeframe and you will not be penalised if you decide to redeem your funds within a short period of time. But we suggest a minimum of 5 years to allow an adequate timeframe for the Fund to deliver on its long-term objectives.
Lincoln U.S. Growth Fund Hedged: The performance fee is 20% p.a. of outperformance of the S&P 500 Accumulation Index (USD).
Lincoln U.S. Growth Fund Unhedged: The performance fee is 20% p.a. of outperformance of the S&P 500 Accumulation Index converted to Australian Dollars.
To discuss the future of your investments in detail, book in a free consultation with a Lincoln representative.
To discuss the future of your investments in detail, book in a free consultation with a Lincoln financial expert.