Insight
Aurum’s quarterly review – Q2 2022
In summary…
All of Aurum’s managed funds and bespoke accounts delivered positive returns in the second quarter of 2022. Performance for Aurum’s commingled fund of hedge funds $US classes ranged from +0.9% to +2.3% for the quarter.
Multi-strategy
Multi-strategy funds contributed positively to all portfolios for the quarter. Fundamental equity market neutral team strategies successfully traded around Q1 earnings season and also generally seemed to navigate the ongoing factor rotations between growth and value. Quant, macro, energy trading and fixed income relative value were generally additive, while event and index rebalancing strategies generally detracted from returns.
Macro
Macro funds continued to drive performance over the quarter, with a number of themes contributing. Long US dollar positioning was additive, as global growth concerns weighed on investor sentiment. As inflation continued to climb, the prospect of more aggressive rate rises became clearer. This provided a healthy backdrop for short rates and curve flattening positioning, which were also strong contributors. In equities, short equity positioning contributed to returns as developed equity markets incurred significant losses. Shorting “big tech” stocks has been an alternate way that some managers have expressed expectations about further monetary policy tightening. And finally, gains were also made in energy as oil and natural gas prices rose significantly over the quarter.
Systematic
Systematic strategies invested in by Aurum’s funds detracted from performance overall, however there was significant dispersion amongst underlying funds. Shorter-term stat arb strategies continued to benefit from the elevated levels of market volatility and stock dispersion, while market neutral factor investing worked well for longer-term models. The largest detractor was from index rebalancing strategies, with managers hurt by positions associated with the Russell 2000 and MSCI World Index rebalances in May. Systematic commodity strategies made moderate gains, as commodities broadly sold off in June in response to concerns on global growth.
Event driven
Event driven funds generally detracted from performance over the quarter. Persistent volatility in equity markets impacted previously announced deals and created a challenging environment for index rebalancing strategies. Merger arbitrage spreads widened caused largely by negative news in some specific transactions as well as certain regulatory interventions. It has also been a challenging environment for tactical trading strategies as block trades and positions in software names detracted from returns.
Equity long/short
Equity long/short funds invested in by Aurum generally detracted from performance in a highly volatile period for global equities. Value outperformed for much of the quarter as higher-than-expected inflation stoked fears that the US Federal Reserve will taper faster than initially anticipated. When combined with the general risk-off sentiment, this created a challenging trading environment for funds. The Japan-focused managers Aurum invests in fared marginally better than the Europe/US-focused.
Conclusion
The harsh reality of inflation, rising interest rates and signs of an increasingly de-globalised world have caused significant headwinds for risk assets as well as fixed income. This is something that many have been warning about for a long time, so it is encouraging that the Aurum portfolios have so far not only protected capital, but also seized on the various opportunities presented so far in 2022. Given that uncertainty persists, we continue believe that Aurum’s bias towards trading-orientated managers should ensure the portfolios will continue to respond in a similar fashion for the rest of the year and beyond.
Disclaimer
This Post represents the views of the author and their own economic research and analysis. These views do not necessarily reflect the views of Aurum Fund Management Ltd. This Post does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy or an endorsement of any interest in an Aurum Fund or any other fund, or an endorsement for any particular trade, trading strategy or market. This Post is directed at persons having professional experience in matters relating to investments in unregulated collective investment schemes, and should only be used by such persons or investment professionals. Hedge Funds may employ trading methods which risk substantial or complete loss of any amounts invested. The value of your investment and the income you get may go down as well as up. Any performance figures quoted refer to the past and past performance is not a guarantee of future performance or a reliable indicator of future results. Returns may also increase or decrease as a result of currency fluctuations. An investment such as those described in this Post should be regarded as speculative and should not be used as a complete investment programme. This Post is for informational purposes only and not to be relied upon as investment, legal, tax, or financial advice. Whilst the information contained in this Post (including any expression of opinion or forecast) has been obtained from, or is based on, sources believed by Aurum to be reliable, it is not guaranteed as to its accuracy or completeness. This Post is current only at the date it was first published and may no longer be true or complete when viewed by the reader. This Post is provided without obligation on the part of Aurum and its associated companies and on the understanding that any persons who acting upon it or changes their investment position in reliance on it does so entirely at their own risk. In no event will Aurum or any of its associated companies be liable to any person for any direct, indirect, special or consequential damages arising out of any use or reliance on this Post, even if Aurum is expressly advised of the possibility or likelihood of such damages.
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