Preserve capital and grind out alpha


Australians need to preserve their capital, grind out alpha, favour bottom-up strategies over beta and scour the world for diversity, as potential future corrections were on the horizon, according to fixed income fund manager, PIMCO.
Whether Australians were transitioning from family owned enterprises to a diversified portfolio, or were in decumulation phase, investors needed to generate sustainable income that supported their spending habits, amid low interest rates and high volatility, the firm said.
PIMCO's managing director and head of Asia Pacific, Eric Mogelof, said capital preservation should be investors' number one priority.
"Riding a wave of unstable betas — all correlated to central bank polies — is no longer a strategy for success," he said.
Low passive returns are insufficient for both retirees and high net worth investors. So, investors could boost their returns with active management, he said.
"Moreover our secular outlook cites several additional left tail events that could increase the potential for capital losses and write downs — populist shocks like the recent ‘Brexit' vote and political gridlocks are two examples."
Higher market volatility also created opportunity and careful portfolio construction helped investors buy into undervalued assets, he said.
Recommended for you
Bentham Asset Management has become the latest fund manager to expand its distribution team as it reports increased interest in its credit strategies.
L1 Capital, which is in talks to merge with Platinum Asset Management, has indicated it will be voting against a deal to convert a Platinum LIC into an ETF.
Evidentia Group has hired a head of quantitative investments who joins the investment firm and managed account provider from AMP.
Fidelity International has worked in tandem with Australian wealth manager Emanuel Whybourne & Loehr to launch an actively managed global equities strategy aimed at financial advisers.