Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events, Quiddity Advisors

Travis Lundy

Pan-Asia Catalysts/Events

Quiddity Advisors

Event-Driven

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bhp-group-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:147:1" rel="noopener">BHP Group (BHP AU)</a> announced yesterday that it had decided to proceed with the Unification idea. This is not surprising in the least. </li>
<li>When BHP announced the idea in August (discussed <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/bhp-dlc-unification-on-dirt-diggers-and-deckchairs" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>) it was already well socialised internally. It needed some external socialisation. Social media promotions started the next day.</li>
<li>Now shareholders have not come out radically against, so this is confirmation the Meetings will be called and votes will go forward. The schedule is faster than thought.</li>
</ul>



BHP Group (BHP AU) announced yesterday that it had decided to proceed with the Unification idea. This is not surprising in the least. 
When BHP announced the idea in August (discussed here) it was already well socialised internally. It needed some external socialisation. Social media promotions started the next day.
Now shareholders have not come out radically against, so this is confirmation the Meetings will be called and votes will go forward. The schedule is faster than thought.


European Event-Driven Analyst

Jesus Rodriguez Aguilar

<ul>
<li>Premiums of selected DLC's have generally tightened during November, following the unification of BHP : BHP/BLT 2.1%; Rio Tinto AU/LN, 8.6%; Shell, nil premium.</li>
<li>Discounts to NAV for European holdcos have generally widened during November, following market volatility: Alba, 42.2%; GBL 30.5%; Heineken Holdings 16.4%; Industrivärden, 13.1%; Investor, 12%; Kinnevik B, 19.8% (premium).</li>
<li>Recommended trades: BHP/BLT, GBL vs. listed assets, Industrivärden vs. listed assets.</li>
</ul>


Premiums of selected DLC's have generally tightened during November, following the unification of BHP : BHP/BLT 2.1%; Rio Tinto AU/LN, 8.6%; Shell, nil premium.
Discounts to NAV for European holdcos have generally widened during November, following market volatility: Alba, 42.2%; GBL 30.5%; Heineken Holdings 16.4%; Industrivärden, 13.1%; Investor, 12%; Kinnevik B, 19.8% (premium).
Recommended trades: BHP/BLT, GBL vs. listed assets, Industrivärden vs. listed assets.


Selected European Holdcos and DLCs: November Report

Groupe Bruxelles Lambert Sa / Event-Driven

<div>
<p>Discounts to NAV for our selected European holdcos and DLCs have generally tightened during October.</p>
</div>
<div>
<p>The report incorporates several SOTP valuations, updated with Q3 results for the Swedish holdcos.</p>
</div>
<div>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>
<p>Following the (logical) decision to collapse the DLC, the premium of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bhp-group-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:147:1" rel="noopener">BHP Group (BHP AU)</a> vs.  <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bhp-billiton-plc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:21840:1" rel="noopener">Bhp Billiton (BLT LN)</a> tightened and at close of October was 3.7%, in the context of the DLC collapse.  Long UK plc / short Aussie Ltd through the US listings.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/corp-financiera-alba-sa" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:21245:1" rel="noopener">Corp Financiera Alba Sa (ALB SM)</a> is trading at a <strong>41.2%</strong> (vs. 40.9% at the end of September (down from 47.9% at the end of February).  The partial takeover bid over <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/naturgy-energy-group-sa" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:21271:1" rel="noopener">Naturgy Energy Group SA (NTGY SM)</a>, one of its main assets, has ended, and the discount can be again played. Alba has some quality assets, a diversified portfolio and is fundamentally cheap, in my view.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>The discount to NAV of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/groupe-bruxelles-lambert-sa" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:21332:1" rel="noopener">Groupe Bruxelles Lambert Sa (GBLB BB)</a> has tightened to 29%. Shares are trading at historic highs. Long GBL / Short main listed assets (SGS, Pernod Ricard, Adidas and Umicore, which represent 59% of NAV).</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>The discount in Heineken Holdings relative to Heineken has tightened to 16.3% (vs. 14.4% at the end of April) vs. an average of 10.5% for the last 15 years, and 7.9% for the last five years. Recommendation is long Heineken Holdings, short Heineken, and close as soon as it tightens a 200-300bps. The upwards trend seems clear by now, and it is not easy to call the top.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/industrivarden-ab" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22395:1" rel="noopener">Industrivarden AB (INDUA SS)</a> C shares are trading at a 7.8% discount to NAV (almost the same level as at the end of September and vs. a 1.1% premium to NAV at the end of June). An unusual situation has finally reverted. The average discount for the last five years for the C shares has been 11.5%. The discount is tightening. <strong>Long INDUC SS/short main listed assets</strong>.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>The discount to NAV of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/investor-ab" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22397:1" rel="noopener">Investor AB (INVEB SS)</a> B shares tightened to 14.9% as of 29 October.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>From my SOTP valuation, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kinnevik-ab" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22407:1" rel="noopener">Investment Ab Kinnevik (KINVB SS)</a> B shares traded at a <strong>21.3% premium to NAV</strong> (vs. 13% premium at the end of September). A shares are trading at a 24% premium to NAV. Until mid-January, the price difference between A and B shares was rather small. The share price of Kinnevik has performed as a result of the digital exposure of the company, and the stars have been Zalando and Global Fashion Group. The reduction on Kinnevik's discount during 2020 and until recently this year has been striking. Investors are backing the change of tack in the company, which now acts as a listed VC. Listed assets just represent 52% of NAV.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p>The premium of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/rio-tinto-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13:1" rel="noopener">Rio Tinto Ltd (RIO AU)</a> vs. <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/rio-tinto-plc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22114:1" rel="noopener">Rio Tinto PLC (RIO LN)</a> has tightened and at the end of September was 8.6% (vs. 9.4% at close of September), against a long-term average of 15.6%. It is on a downwards trend. <strong>Long plc/short ltd</strong>.</p>
</li>
<li>
<p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/royal-dutch-shell-plc-98de2c77-62f2-46da-88eb-af269fb53d42" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28510:1" rel="noopener">Royal Dutch Shell PLC (RDS/B US)</a> “B” shares closed in in October in New York at a discount of 0.2% (vs. 5.8% as of end of April) with respect to the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/royal-dutch-shell-plc-adr" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:792:1" rel="noopener">Royal Dutch Shell Plc (Adr) (RDS/A US)</a> “A” shares.</p>
</li>
</ul>
</div>


Discounts to NAV for our selected European holdcos and DLCs have generally tightened during October.


The report incorporates several SOTP valuations, updated with Q3 results for the Swedish holdcos.




Following the (logical) decision to collapse the DLC, the premium of BHP Group (BHP AU) vs.  Bhp Billiton (BLT LN) tightened and at close of October was 3.7%, in the context of the DLC collapse.  Long UK plc / short Aussie Ltd through the US listings.


Corp Financiera Alba Sa (ALB SM) is trading at a 41.2% (vs. 40.9% at the end of September (down from 47.9% at the end of February).  The partial takeover bid over Naturgy Energy Group SA (NTGY SM), one of its main assets, has ended, and the discount can be again played. Alba has some quality assets, a diversified portfolio and is fundamentally cheap, in my view.


The discount to NAV of Groupe Bruxelles Lambert Sa (GBLB BB) has tightened to 29%. Shares are trading at historic highs. Long GBL / Short main listed assets (SGS, Pernod Ricard, Adidas and Umicore, which represent 59% of NAV).


The discount in Heineken Holdings relative to Heineken has tightened to 16.3% (vs. 14.4% at the end of April) vs. an average of 10.5% for the last 15 years, and 7.9% for the last five years. Recommendation is long Heineken Holdings, short Heineken, and close as soon as it tightens a 200-300bps. The upwards trend seems clear by now, and it is not easy to call the top.


Industrivarden AB (INDUA SS) C shares are trading at a 7.8% discount to NAV (almost the same level as at the end of September and vs. a 1.1% premium to NAV at the end of June). An unusual situation has finally reverted. The average discount for the last five years for the C shares has been 11.5%. The discount is tightening. Long INDUC SS/short main listed assets.


The discount to NAV of Investor AB (INVEB SS) B shares tightened to 14.9% as of 29 October.


From my SOTP valuation, Investment Ab Kinnevik (KINVB SS) B shares traded at a 21.3% premium to NAV (vs. 13% premium at the end of September). A shares are trading at a 24% premium to NAV. Until mid-January, the price difference between A and B shares was rather small. The share price of Kinnevik has performed as a result of the digital exposure of the company, and the stars have been Zalando and Global Fashion Group. The reduction on Kinnevik's discount during 2020 and until recently this year has been striking. Investors are backing the change of tack in the company, which now acts as a listed VC. Listed assets just represent 52% of NAV.


The premium of Rio Tinto Ltd (RIO AU) vs. Rio Tinto PLC (RIO LN) has tightened and at the end of September was 8.6% (vs. 9.4% at close of September), against a long-term average of 15.6%. It is on a downwards trend. Long plc/short ltd.


Royal Dutch Shell PLC (RDS/B US) “B” shares closed in in October in New York at a discount of 0.2% (vs. 5.8% as of end of April) with respect to the Royal Dutch Shell Plc (Adr) (RDS/A US) “A” shares.




Selected European Holdcos and DLCs: October Report

David Blennerhassett

<p>Back on 29th June 2001, BHP and Billiton merged by way of a dual-headed structure.  Shareholders continued to hold their pre-merger shares in BHP or Billiton, but with the same economic interest in the entire group, and dividends and capital distributions were equalised in accordance with a 1:1 equalisation ratio.</p>
<div>
<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/224/287/original/image?1629186949" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="224287"></figure>
</div>
<div>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This unique structure has faced investor criticism over the years.  Most recently, on the 10 April 2017,  <a href="http://www.elliottadvisors.hk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Elliott Advisors (HK) Limited</a> issued a number of proposals via an <a href="https://fixingbhp.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/BHP-Letter-to-the-Directors.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">open letter</a> to the board of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/147" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:147:1" rel="noopener">BHP Billiton Limited (BHP AU)</a>. This was discussed in greater detail in <em><a href="https://skr.ma/RYqo" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Elliott's Proposals Test BHP's Metal</a></em>.</li>
<li>Elliott argued the DLC structure was obsolete, hinders the ability of BHP to reach its full potential, and creates a long-term trading mismatch between Limited and PLC shares. </li>
<li>A key tenet from the Elliott side was providing greater access to BHP’s franking credits. Elliott proposed under the unified BHP, attaching franking credits to any dividends it makes, enabling all shareholders to participate via fungibility. A similar argument was made for buybacks.</li>
<li>BHP <a href="http://www.bhpbilliton.com/-/media/documents/media/reports-and-presentations/2017/170412_bhpbillitonreviewofelliottproposalpresentation.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">argued</a> the proposal would result in a wastage of franking credits, that unification is not required for off-market buybacks - indeed it would make off-market buybacks less attractive.</li>
<li>Elliott submitted a second letter on the <a href="https://fixingbhp.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/BHP-Press-Release-inc.-Letter-May-2017.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">16 May 2017</a>, reiterating its proposals, and notably singling out BHP's "flawed" unification costs. This letter went unanswered by BHP.</li>
<li>A third letter was issued on the <a href="https://live-fixing-bhp.pantheonsite.io/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Letter-to-Chairman-05.02.18.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">5 February 2018</a>. Using analysis from FTI Consulting, it considered the unification would deliver in excess of US$22bn, with unification costs of US$391mn - against the US$1.3bn estimate from BHP.</li>
<li>Elliott also noted that following the 2015 demerger of South32, Plc no longer generates sufficient income to fund dividends. This resulted in the DLC Dividend share proposal, which was designed to support the matching-dividend policy.  When BHP merged with Billiton, one of the fundamental requirements of the structure was that cash dividends would be equal for both the British and Australian lines, under the matching-dividend policy.</li>
<li>Elliott has not issued a follow-up letter in the past three and a half years - there is a website called <a href="https://fixingbhp.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Fixing BHP</a>. No doubt Elliott were somewhat mollified by BHP selling its US shale oil &amp; gas assets to BP in 2018 - a proposal advocated by Elliott - then announcing on <a href="https://www.asx.com.au/asxpdf/20181101/pdf/43zxbpdqnm2ltl.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">1 November 2018</a> a US$10.4bn (A$14.7bn) return to shareholders through a special dividend (fully franked) and <a href="https://www.asx.com.au/asxpdf/20181108/pdf/440368k1w0qd6n.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">share buyback</a>. </li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
<h3>But There ARE Fundamental Reasons for BHP’s Premium</h3>
</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>There exist strong tax arguments supporting a premium in the Australian line relating to dividends and off-market share buyback. The current premium (pre-announcement) is 19.4% (reflected in the ADRs) against a long-term average of 12.5%. </li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/224/291/original/image_62648945021629187712421.png?1629187713" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="224291"></figure>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: left;" class="content-caption">Source: CapIQ</div>
</div>
<div>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>
<strong>42% Dividend Tax Advantage</strong>. Australian investors have a highly tax-advantaged position when investing in the Australian line which provides them with a material advantage over other investors.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Australian dividends are generally paid with a franking credit attached which can be used to offset the income tax liabilities of an Australian recipient.</li>
<li>The franking credit is equivalent to the corporate tax rate (currently 30%) which has been paid. In general, this means that a dollar received by a domestic investor in the Australian line is worth 42% (1/(1-30%)) more to them than an equivalent holding of the London line.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="content-caption">
<figure class="editor-figure mceNonEditable"><img src="https://static-prod.smartkarma.com/images/media/000/224/302/original/image_96891655851629189775822.png?1629189776" class="editor-image img-responsive" data-smartkarma-image-id="224302"></figure>
<p>Source: <a href="https://live-fixing-bhp.pantheonsite.io/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/FTI-Value-Release-from-Unification-at-BHP-Final.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Elliott</a> </p>
</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Theoretically, there is no reason for the BHP/BLT spread to stop widening until it reaches the level of 42% where the most tax-advantaged investors exhaust the excess return - provided sufficient corporate tax has been paid in Australia to cover the franking element on the dividend.</li>
<li>
<strong>The Buyback tax advantage</strong>.  The Australian franking credit system also confers a capital gains tax benefit when BHP carries out off-market tender offers. This is because for tax purposes the transaction is partially treated as a dividend which means some recipients may receive more than the market value of their holding when the franking credits are taken into account.
<ul>
<li>For this reason, BHP can initiate tender offers in Australia struck at large discounts to the market price. In the last tender offer in <a href="https://www.asx.com.au/asxpdf/20181108/pdf/440368k1w0qd6n.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2018</a>, the discount was capped at the legal maximum level (by the ATO) of 14%.</li>
<li>When the spread blows out to such a level (over 16% premium) as it has now, it compromises the ability to announce further buybacks in Australia as the spread exceeds the maximum legal tender discount level (of 14%). Meaning any Australian buyback would have to be at a premium to the London price. Therefore future buyback proposals will be forced to focus on the London line, in which the franking credits cannot be used.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Unilever's DLC Unification</h3>
<ul>
<li>Back on the 11 June 2020, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/unilever-nv" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:21141:1" rel="noopener">Unilever NV (UNA NA)</a> / <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/unilever-plc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22197:1" rel="noopener">Unilever PLC (ULVR LN)</a> <a href="https://www.unilever.com/news/press-releases/2020/unification-of-unilever-legal-structure.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> it would (finally) unify its dual Anglo-Dutch corporate structure under a single parent company based in London, in an about-face to the 2018 unification attempt with a Dutch-headquartered holding company. This deal was discussed in <em><a href="https://skr.ma/PyquN" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Unilever: When Two Heads Are Not Better Than One. What About BHP's DLC?</a></em>.</li>
<li>This unification again renewed interest in BHP's structure.</li>
</ul>
<h3>The New News</h3>
<ul>
<li>BHP has now <a href="https://cdn-api.markitdigital.com/apiman-gateway/ASX/asx-research/1.0/file/2924-02407981-3A572982?access_token=83ff96335c2d45a094df02a206a39ff4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> the unification of its corporate structure to make BHP "<em>simpler and more agile</em>", thus removing the complexity of managing the DLC.</li>
<li>BHP considers now is the appropriate time to unify as there has been a significant reduction in cost indications - US$400-500mn compared to ~US$1.6-1.7bn previously.</li>
<li>More importantly, the unification means no change to the dividend policy and the ability of the company to frank dividends.</li>
<li>BHP Plc shareholders would be entitled to receive one Ltd share for each Plc share they own.</li>
<li>As night follows day, expect the spread between the two lines to narrow.</li>
</ul>
<p>More below the fold.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
</div>

Back on 29th June 2001, BHP and Billiton merged by way of a dual-headed structure.  Shareholders continued to hold their pre-merger shares in BHP or Billiton, but with the same economic interest in the entire group, and dividends and capital distributions were equalised in accordance with a 1:1 equalisation ratio.





This unique structure has faced investor criticism over the years.  Most recently, on the 10 April 2017,  Elliott Advisors (HK) Limited issued a number of proposals via an open letter to the board of BHP Billiton Limited (BHP AU). This was discussed in greater detail in Elliott's Proposals Test BHP's Metal.
Elliott argued the DLC structure was obsolete, hinders the ability of BHP to reach its full potential, and creates a long-term trading mismatch between Limited and PLC shares. 
A key tenet from the Elliott side was providing greater access to BHP’s franking credits. Elliott proposed under the unified BHP, attaching franking credits to any dividends it makes, enabling all shareholders to participate via fungibility. A similar argument was made for buybacks.
BHP argued the proposal would result in a wastage of franking credits, that unification is not required for off-market buybacks - indeed it would make off-market buybacks less attractive.
Elliott submitted a second letter on the 16 May 2017, reiterating its proposals, and notably singling out BHP's "flawed" unification costs. This letter went unanswered by BHP.
A third letter was issued on the 5 February 2018. Using analysis from FTI Consulting, it considered the unification would deliver in excess of US$22bn, with unification costs of US$391mn - against the US$1.3bn estimate from BHP.
Elliott also noted that following the 2015 demerger of South32, Plc no longer generates sufficient income to fund dividends. This resulted in the DLC Dividend share proposal, which was designed to support the matching-dividend policy.  When BHP merged with Billiton, one of the fundamental requirements of the structure was that cash dividends would be equal for both the British and Australian lines, under the matching-dividend policy.
Elliott has not issued a follow-up letter in the past three and a half years - there is a website called Fixing BHP. No doubt Elliott were somewhat mollified by BHP selling its US shale oil &amp; gas assets to BP in 2018 - a proposal advocated by Elliott - then announcing on 1 November 2018 a US$10.4bn (A$14.7bn) return to shareholders through a special dividend (fully franked) and share buyback. 



But There ARE Fundamental Reasons for BHP’s Premium



There exist strong tax arguments supporting a premium in the Australian line relating to dividends and off-market share buyback. The current premium (pre-announcement) is 19.4% (reflected in the ADRs) against a long-term average of 12.5%. 






Source: CapIQ




42% Dividend Tax Advantage. Australian investors have a highly tax-advantaged position when investing in the Australian line which provides them with a material advantage over other investors.

Australian dividends are generally paid with a franking credit attached which can be used to offset the income tax liabilities of an Australian recipient.
The franking credit is equivalent to the corporate tax rate (currently 30%) which has been paid. In general, this means that a dollar received by a domestic investor in the Australian line is worth 42% (1/(1-30%)) more to them than an equivalent holding of the London line.






Source: Elliott 



Theoretically, there is no reason for the BHP/BLT spread to stop widening until it reaches the level of 42% where the most tax-advantaged investors exhaust the excess return - provided sufficient corporate tax has been paid in Australia to cover the franking element on the dividend.

The Buyback tax advantage.  The Australian franking credit system also confers a capital gains tax benefit when BHP carries out off-market tender offers. This is because for tax purposes the transaction is partially treated as a dividend which means some recipients may receive more than the market value of their holding when the franking credits are taken into account.

For this reason, BHP can initiate tender offers in Australia struck at large discounts to the market price. In the last tender offer in 2018, the discount was capped at the legal maximum level (by the ATO) of 14%.
When the spread blows out to such a level (over 16% premium) as it has now, it compromises the ability to announce further buybacks in Australia as the spread exceeds the maximum legal tender discount level (of 14%). Meaning any Australian buyback would have to be at a premium to the London price. Therefore future buyback proposals will be forced to focus on the London line, in which the franking credits cannot be used.



Unilever's DLC Unification

Back on the 11 June 2020, Unilever NV (UNA NA) / Unilever PLC (ULVR LN) announced it would (finally) unify its dual Anglo-Dutch corporate structure under a single parent company based in London, in an about-face to the 2018 unification attempt with a Dutch-headquartered holding company. This deal was discussed in Unilever: When Two Heads Are Not Better Than One. What About BHP's DLC?.
This unification again renewed interest in BHP's structure.

The New News

BHP has now announced the unification of its corporate structure to make BHP "simpler and more agile", thus removing the complexity of managing the DLC.
BHP considers now is the appropriate time to unify as there has been a significant reduction in cost indications - US$400-500mn compared to ~US$1.6-1.7bn previously.
More importantly, the unification means no change to the dividend policy and the ability of the company to frank dividends.
BHP Plc shareholders would be entitled to receive one Ltd share for each Plc share they own.
As night follows day, expect the spread between the two lines to narrow.

More below the fold.




Asset Allocation & Fund Positioning, Copley Fund Research

Steven Holden

Asset Allocation & Fund Positioning

Copley Fund Research

Copley Fund Research provide research and data on asset allocation among Global and Emerging Market equity funds.  The analysis details absolute and relative positioning across countries, sectors and industries together with highly granular data on single stock and single fund allocations.  The data is updated monthly with time series going back to January 2011.

Global Research - Analysis of 165 prominent Global equity funds, combined AUM $335bn
GEM Research - Analysis of 127 prominent global EM equity funds, combined AUM $250bn

Asset Allocation - Global and GEM Equity

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<p>Metals and Mining stock exposure among active Global funds is at a 7-year high, but only just.  In an almost reluctant move higher, average weights hit a new multi-year peak of 1.64%, with cash flows moderately higher and funds invested moving off the lows of August last year.</p><p>The cyclical nature of investment among Global managers has mirrored that of Metals and Mining sector performance over the last decade.   The massive sector underperformance between 2011-2015 correlated to an exodus from the sector among active global managers.  Over that 4-year period, the percentage of funds with investment in Metals and Mining stocks fell from 87.5% to 53.6%.  For the MSCI AC Metals and Mining index to make up the massive performance deficit of the last decade, it has to win back many of the funds that remain uninvested, for now.</p><div>
<p>We highlight <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/anglo-american-plc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:21798:1" rel="noopener">Anglo American (AAL LN)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/fortescue-metals-group-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:41:1" rel="noopener">Fortescue Metals (FMG AU)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/rio-tinto-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:13:1" rel="noopener">Rio Tinto Ltd (RIO AU)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/reliance-steel-aluminum" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8080:1" rel="noopener">Reliance Steel &amp; Aluminum (RS US)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/vale-sa" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:23731:1" rel="noopener">Vale SA (VALE US)</a><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/baoshan-iron-steel-co-a" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:3891:1" rel="noopener"></a> as stocks towards the higher end of their ownership ranges whilst also seeing ownership levels increase among active Global investors.  </p>
<p>Previously well held Stocks such as <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bhp-billiton-ltd-adr" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:5424:1" rel="noopener">BHP Billiton (ADR) (BHP US)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/freeport-mcmoran-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12491:1" rel="noopener">Freeport Mcmoran (FCX US)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/voestalpine-ag" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22565:1" rel="noopener">voestalpine AG (VOE AV)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/norsk-hydro-asa" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22240:1" rel="noopener">Norsk Hydro ASA (NHY NO)</a><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/hyundai-steel-company" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:963:1" rel="noopener"></a> are starting to attract growing interest from Global active managers.</p>
<p><em>Analysis taken from our Global fund research, covering 383 active Global strategies with combined AUM of $1.05tr</em></p>
</div>

Metals and Mining stock exposure among active Global funds is at a 7-year high, but only just.  In an almost reluctant move higher, average weights hit a new multi-year peak of 1.64%, with cash flows moderately higher and funds invested moving off the lows of August last year.The cyclical nature of investment among Global managers has mirrored that of Metals and Mining sector performance over the last decade.   The massive sector underperformance between 2011-2015 correlated to an exodus from the sector among active global managers.  Over that 4-year period, the percentage of funds with investment in Metals and Mining stocks fell from 87.5% to 53.6%.  For the MSCI AC Metals and Mining index to make up the massive performance deficit of the last decade, it has to win back many of the funds that remain uninvested, for now.
We highlight Anglo American (AAL LN), Fortescue Metals (FMG AU), Rio Tinto Ltd (RIO AU), Reliance Steel &amp; Aluminum (RS US) and Vale SA (VALE US) as stocks towards the higher end of their ownership ranges whilst also seeing ownership levels increase among active Global investors.  
Previously well held Stocks such as BHP Billiton (ADR) (BHP US), Freeport Mcmoran (FCX US), voestalpine AG (VOE AV) and Norsk Hydro ASA (NHY NO) are starting to attract growing interest from Global active managers.
Analysis taken from our Global fund research, covering 383 active Global strategies with combined AUM of $1.05tr


Global Metals and Mining:  Reluctantly Grinding Higher

United Kingdom

Anglo American PLC is a global mining company. The Company's mining portfolio includes bulk commodities including iron ore, manganese and metallurgical coal, base metals including copper and nickel and precious metals and minerals including platinum and diamonds.  Anglo American PLC has mining operations in Africa, Europe, North and South America, Asia and Australia.

Antofagasta plc owns and operates copper mines in Chile and conducts exploration activities in Chile and Peru.  The Group also operates a rail network servicing the mining region of northern Chile, as well as operates a concession for the distribution of water in this region.

Centamin plc is a mid-tier gold producer with gold production from the Sukari gold mine in southern Egypt. The company owns exploration and development assets in Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire and Ethiopia.

Hill & Smith Holdings PLC manufactures products for the infrastructure, galvanizing, building, and construction industries.  The Company produces traffic barriers, fencing, gantries, lighting columns, pipe supports, steel storage tanks, and variable message signs; plastic drainage pipe and pipe supports; powder coatings; and traffic counting data collection devices.

Hochschild Mining plc explores, mines, processes, and sells silver and gold.

Pan African Resources PLC engages in the exploration and mining of gold and platinum-group element (PGE) properties in South Africa. The company operates through five segments: Barberton Mines, Evander Mines, Phoenix Platinum, Corporate and Growth Projects, and Funding Company. Its PGE properties comprise platinum, palladium, rhodium, iridium, and ruthenium deposits. The company?s assets include Barberton Mines comprising three gold mines and the Barberton Tailings Retreatment Plant, as well as Evander Mines consisting of a gold mine and the Evander Tailings Treatment Plant in Mpumalanga; and Phoenix Platinum, a Chrome Tailing Retreatment Plant located in Rustenburg, South Africa. It also provides funding services. The company was incorporated in 2000 and is based in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Central Asia Metals plc, through its subsidiaries, processes and produces copper cathodes from secondary mining techniques. The company is also involved in the identification, acquisition, and development of base and precious metals deposits. It owns 75% interest in the Copper Bay tailings project located in Chile. The company was founded in 2005 and is headquartered in London, the United Kingdom.

Griffin Mining Limited is a Bermudian mining company, based in London. The Group has a number of interests in mining exploration and development projects throughout the world, the principal of which is a zinc-gold project in China.

Ecora Resources PLC is a royalty company focused on supporting the supply of commodities. Mining operations located in Australia, Canada, and South America.

Metals Exploration plc engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of mining properties in the western Pacific Rim region. The company?s principal asset is its 100% owned Runruno Gold-Molybdenum project, which is located north of the Philippines. It also explores for zinc, copper, and nickel deposits. Metals Exploration plc was founded in 2004 and is based in London, the United Kingdom.

Rio Tinto Limited is an international mining company.  The Company has interests in mining for aluminum, borax, coal, copper, gold, iron ore, lead, silver, tin, uranium, zinc, titanium dioxide feedstock, diamonds, talc and zircon. Dually-listed company with RIO LN.

Fortescue Metals Group Ltd. explores for and produces iron ore. The Company conducts business worldwide.

BHP Group Ltd operates as an international resources company. The Company offers mineral exploration and production, including coal, iron ore, gold, titanium, ferroalloys, nickel, and copper concentrate, as well as petroleum exploration, production, and refining. BHP Group serves customers worldwide.

POSCO Holdings Inc. manufactures and distributes steel products. The Company produces crude steel, hot rolled steel, cold rolled steel, stainless steel, steel plates, wire rods, galvanized steel, electrical steel, and other related products. POSCO Holdings markets its products worldwide.

JFE Holdings, Inc. is a holding company which was established through the merger of NKK Corp and Kawasaki Steel Corp.  The Company manages and conducts its subsidiaries' business, which is steel production and integrated engineering services.

Vedanta Limited mines, produces, and exports base metals. The Company mines and distributes metals such as zinc, iron ore, copper, silver, and aluminium, as well as operates power plants. Vedanta markets its products worldwide.

Newcrest Mining Limited is a gold mining, exploration and production company. The Company is geographically focused in Australia, the Pacific region and Asia. Newcrest Mining operates projects within six provinces in four countries, focusing on the Cadia East and Lihir MOPU expansion projects and the Wafi Golpu and Namosi greenfield projects.

Glencore Plc is a diversified natural resources company. The Company operates in three groups: Metals and Minerals, Energy Products, and Agricultural Products. Glencore Plc offers its products and services around the world.

Nippon Steel Corp is an integrated steel maker. The Company produces various types of steel products used for industrial machinery & equipment and exports them worldwide.  Nippon Steel provides plant construction and urban development and also develops new businesses such as chemicals, ceramics, electronic equipment and information & communication systems.

China Steel Corporation manufactures and markets a variety of steel products. The main products are hot rolled coils and sheets, cold rolled coils and sheets, wire rods, steel plates, and steel bars.

Rio Tinto plc is an international mining company. The Company has interests in mining for aluminum, borax, coal, copper, gold, iron ore, lead, silver, tin, uranium, zinc, titanium dioxide feedstock, diamonds, talc and zircon. Dually-listed company with RIO AU.

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Rio Tinto PLC (RIO LN)

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