Firetrail Absolute Return Fund

The Firetrail Absolute Return Fund is a market-neutral, uncorrelated alternative of Firetrail’s best ideas. Long-only positions are selected using in-depth fundamental analysis.

The short portfolio is constructed using a combination of fundamental analysis, systematic strategies and other value-adding strategies.

The Fund aims to outperform the RBA Cash Rate over the medium to long term.

Uncorrelated

An absolute return-focused fund which aims to generate positive returns in all market environments (over the medium term).

Designed to be different

The Fund is typically expected to be market-neutral, which means it is constructed in a way where returns are not dependent on the performance of the underlying share market.

A proven approach

A proven approach to generating positive returns from both long and short stock selection.

The Fund may be suitable for investors who are looking to outperform the RBA Cash Rate over the medium to long term and are prepared to accept the risks of the Fund set out in section 6 of the Product Disclosure Statement.

The Fund aims to provide investors with access to an actively managed equities portfolio predominately comprised of long positions and short positions in Australian listed securities and constructed using the Fund’s net market neutral Investment Strategy.

The Fund’s net exposure will typically be between -5% to +5% of the Fund’s NAV (with a maximum of -30% to +30% of the Portfolio’s NAV). The Fund’s strategy provides investors with the opportunity to gain exposure to mispriced securities identified by Firetrail using fundamental, bottom-up research (typically 50 to 80 long positions and 20 to 30 short positions) (Fundamentally Driven Positions).

Fundamentally Driven Long Positions are typically securities that Firetrail believes, based on fundamental analysis, to be undervalued over a three-year investment horizon and that Firetrail believes will increase in value. Fundamentally Driven Short Positions are securities that Firetrail believes will fall in value. Typically, short positions will be in securities issued by entities with current year or future earnings forecasted by Firetrail (using fundamental analysis) that are materially lower than market consensus earnings.

In addition to the Fundamentally Driven Positions, the portfolio will include additional short positions (typically around 100 short positions) (Risk Short Positions) selected by Firetrail to limit the Fund’s net exposure to securities markets (to be close to net market neutral) and macroeconomic risks. Risk Short Positions will also be used by Firetrail to generate additional funding (i.e. cash generated from borrowing and short selling securities) which is then used to increase the gross exposure in long positions up to a maximum of 200% of the Fund’s NAV.

Firetrail uses a fundamental, bottom-up research approach in constructing the portfolio to identify Fundamentally Driven Long Positions (typically 50 to 80 positions), Fundamentally Driven Short Positions (typically 20 to 30 positions) and Risk Short Positions (typically around 100 positions). For Fundamentally Driven Short Positions, Firetrail will look for catalysts that it believes will have a negative impact on the price.

Idea Generation

Idea generation reduces Firetrail’s investment universe down to attractive opportunities for further research. Firetrail utilises a diverse range of sources for investment ideas. Ideas are generated using a combination of the Firetrail Investment Team’s experience, collaboration, on-the-ground company research as well as interactions with third parties such as broker analysts and investment strategists. For example, Firetrail may become aware of corporate events (e.g. IPOs, placements, capital reconstructing and block trades) through its interactions with companies and brokers.

Portfolio Construction

Firetrail looks to invest in attractive entities that it considers to be undervalued over a three-year investment horizon (i.e. hold Fundamentally Driven Long Positions). Equally, Firetrail looks to short-sell securities where it identifies that there is a material risk to current or future earnings (i.e. Fundamentally Driven Short Positions) or that could reduce exposures within the portfolio to macroeconomic or market risks (i.e. Risk Short Positions). This is aimed at ensuring the Fund has exposure to the best individual investment ideas with Firetrail’s highest conviction.

Click here to view the latest Performance Details.

The Firetrail Absolute Return Fund has been recognised at the Zenith Fund Awards as the Alternative Manager of the Year in 2020 and 2021.²

All website content in respect of the Firetrail Absolute Return Fund (ARSN 624 135 879),  the Firetrail Australian High Conviction Fund (ARSN 624 136 045), the Firetrail Australian Small Companies Fund (ARSN 638 792 113), and the Firetrail S3 Global Opportunities Fund (ARSN 653 717 625) (“the Funds”) is prepared by Firetrail Investments Pty Limited (ABN 98 622 377 913 AFSL 516821) (“Firetrail”) as the investment manager of the Funds. Pinnacle Fund Services Limited ABN 29 082 494 362 AFSL 238371 (“PFSL”) is the issuer of the Funds. PFSL is not licensed to provide financial product advice.

The information provided in this website is of a general nature only and has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before making an investment decision in respect of the Fund, you should consider the current product disclosure statement (PDS) and Target Market Determination (‘TMD’) of the Fund which are available at https://firetrail.com/invest/, and assess whether the Fund is appropriate given your objectives, financial situation or needs. If you require advice that takes into account your personal circumstances, you should consult a licensed or authorised financial adviser.

Neither PFSL nor Firetrail guarantees repayment of capital or any particular rate of return from the Fund. Neither PFSL nor Firetrail gives any representation or warranty as to the currency, reliability, completeness or accuracy of the information contained in this website. All opinions and estimates included in this website constitute judgments of Firetrail as at the date of website creation and are subject to change without notice. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.

The Zenith Investment Partners (ABN 27 103 132 672, AFS Licence 226872) (“Zenith”) rating (assigned February 2023) referred to in this piece is limited to “General Advice” (s766B Corporations Act 2001) for Wholesale clients only. This advice has been prepared without taking into account the objectives, financial situation or needs of any individual, including target markets of financial products, where applicable, and is subject to change at any time without prior notice. It is not a specific recommendation to purchase, sell or hold the relevant product(s). Investors should seek independent financial advice before making an investment decision and should consider the appropriateness of this advice in light of their own objectives, financial situation and needs. Investors should obtain a copy of, and consider the PDS or offer document before making any decision and refer to the full Zenith Product Assessment available on the Zenith website. Past performance is not an indication of future performance. Zenith usually charges the product issuer, fund manager or related party to conduct Product Assessments. Full details regarding Zenith’s methodology, ratings definitions and regulatory compliance are available on our Product Assessments and at Fund Research Regulatory Guidelines.

²The Zenith Fund Awards were issued (30 October 2020 and 15 October 2021) by Zenith Investment Partners (ABN 27 130 132 672, AFSL 226872) and are determined using proprietary methodologies. The Fund Awards are solely statements of opinion and do not represent recommendations to purchase, hold or sell any securities or make any other investment decisions. To the extent that the Fund Awards constitutes advice, it is General Advice for Wholesale clients only without taking into consideration the objectives, financial situation or needs of any specific person. Investors should seek their own independent financial advice before making any investment decision and should consider the appropriateness of any advice. Investors should obtain a copy of and consider any relevant PDS or offer document before making any investment decisions. Past performance is not an indication of future performance. Fund Awards are current for 12 months from the date awarded and are subject to change at any time. Fund Awards for previous years are referenced for historical purposes only.

The rating issued 09/2022 is published by Lonsec Research Pty Ltd ABN 11 151 658 561 AFSL 421 445 (Lonsec). Ratings are general advice only, and have been prepared without taking account of your objectives, financial situation or needs. Consider your personal circumstances, read the product disclosure statement and seek independent financial advice before investing. The rating is not a recommendation to purchase, sell or hold any product. Past performance information is not indicative of future performance. Ratings are subject to change without notice and Lonsec assumes no obligation to update. Lonsec uses objective criteria and receives a fee from the Fund Manager. Visit lonsec.com.au for ratings information and to access the full report. © 2022 Lonsec. All rights reserved.