The investment objective of the Fund aims to outperform peer performance consistent with a “growth” orientated investment strategy encompassing: a broadly diversified exposure to Australian and international assets active asset allocation, security selection and risk management flexibility to deviate meaningfully from the strategic asset allocation to help manage total portfolio risk The Fund aims to outperform its benchmark indices over a 5-year rolling period before fees. The investment strategy of the Funds is to provide investors with a diversified exposure to the best investment teams and strategies that BlackRock has globally within the context of an Australian based globally diversified investment portfolio. The strategy is built around two steps: 1. Establishing the most appropriate strategic benchmark subject to the growth/income splits and market risk exposures consistent with a “growth” oriented fund; and 2. Enhancing the returns of the Fund relative to the strategic benchmark to the maximum extent possible by utilising investment teams, strategies and techniques from BlackRock’s resources around the globe subject to a risk budgeting framework.
Markets declined in August, as expectations that interest rates may remain higher-for-longer and China growth concerns weighed on investor sentiment. Global equities, as measured by the MSCI World Index (hedged), broadly declined 1.8% in Australian dollar terms over the month, but pared back some losses towards the end of August. The unhedged index finished the month up 1.6% as positive currency moves offset the decline in international share prices. Developed Market equities outperformed their Emerging Market counterparts. Fixed Income markets, as represented by the Bloomberg Barclays Global Aggregate Index (hedged), continued to experience volatility and closed the month down 0.3%.
United States
In the US, the S&P 500 Index fell by 1.6% over the month (in local currency terms), with Utilities and Consumer Staples sectors among the worst performers. At the Jackson Hole economic symposium, US Federal Reserve (Fed) Chairman, Jay Powell, reiterated the need to hold monetary policy tight and noted he sees a “long way to go” on getting inflation down to target. Earlier in August, Fitch Ratings’ downgrade of the US credit rating to AA+ led to renewed focus on the country’s fiscal challenges. Meanwhile, reporting season for Q2 saw corporate earnings fall year-on-year for the third consecutive quarter, although the size of the decline was better than analyst expectations. On the data front, core inflation increased 4.7% yearon-year in July, while unemployment ticked down to 3.5% alongside robust job growth.
Europe
European equities, as represented through the Euro Stoxx 50 Index, decreased by 3.8% in August (in local currency terms), with several sectors that are most sensitive to the economic backdrop, notably Consumer Discretionary, recording steep declines. Following hawkish comments from several European Central Bank (ECB) Executive Board members, ECB President, Christine Lagarde, further reinforced that interest rates will stay high “as long as necessary” at the Jackson Hole economic symposium. Meeting minutes from the July ECB decision also showed a willingness by policymakers to further hike rates at the September meeting. However, investors are increasingly wary of the economic impact of multiple rate rises, with the Euro Area PMI falling below expectations to 47.0 – the lowest reading since late 2020 – while core inflation only edged down to 5.3% year-on-year.
In the UK, the FTSE 100 Index declined 2.5% in August (in local currency terms). Early in the month, the Bank of England (BoE) hiked rates 25 basis points to bring the base rate to 5.25%. The central bank continues to grapple with the starkest trade-off between inflation and growth in a generation, having sharply hiked rates by over 500 basis points in cumulative tightening thus far. Despite consensus forecasts of a modest decline, UK core inflation remained unchanged at 6.9% for July with British wages growing strongly.
Asia
Asian equity markets sold-off over the period. China’s CSI 300 Index underperformed and fell by 6.0% in August (in local currency terms), amid concerns around the property sector and sluggish underlying activity. Several large Chinese property developers faced turbulence over the month, with Evergrande filing for US bankruptcy protection while Country Garden warned it could soon default on its debts. In a fresh sign that authorities are ramping up monetary easing efforts to boost a sputtering economic recovery, China’s central bank unexpectedly cut key policy rates for the second time in three months. Chinese exports and imports shrank further in July, while youth unemployment also remains an issue.
Japanese equities, as represented by the Nikkei 225 Index, declined by 1.6% in August (in local currency terms), but remain a strong performer on a year-to-date basis, with markets up 26.5%. Japan’s GDP handily beat expectations to grow by 6.0% annualised over Q2, with net exports providing the largest quarterly contribution to GDP in three years. On the inflation front, the country’s core-core inflation index (which excludes prices of fresh food and energy) accelerated from the previous month and rose 4.3% year-on-year. Meanwhile, the Japanese yen has declined sharply since the Bank of Japan’s (BoJ) policy adjustment in July and sits near levels which spurred official intervention in currency markets late last year.
What is BlackRock Tactical Growth Fund BlackRock Tactical Growth Fund is an Managed Funds investment product that is benchmarked against Multi-Asset Growth Investor Index and sits inside the Multi-Asset - 61-80% Diversified Index. Think of a benchmark as a standard where investment performance can be measured. Typically, market indices like the ASX200 and market-segment stock indexes are used for this purpose. The BlackRock Tactical Growth Fund has Assets Under Management of 515.63 M with a management fee of 0.9%, a performance fee of 0.00% and a buy/sell spread fee of 0.35%.
How has the investment product performed recently?
The recent investment performance of the investment product shows that the BlackRock Tactical Growth Fund has returned 1.47% in the last month. The previous three years have returned 6.03% annualised and 8.17% each year since inception, which is when the BlackRock Tactical Growth Fund first started.
How is risk measured in this investment product?
There are many ways that the risk of an investment product can be measured, and each measurement provides a different insight into the risk present. They can be used on their own or together to perform a risk assessment before investing, but when comparing investments, it is common to compare like for like risk measurements to determine which investment holds the most risk. Since BlackRock Tactical Growth Fund first started, the Sharpe ratio is NA with an annualised volatility of 8.17%. The maximum drawdown of the investment product in the last 12 months is -1.91% and -28.57% since inception. The maximum drawdown is defined as the high-to-low decline of an investment during a particular time period.
What is the relative performance of the investment product?
Relative performance is what an asset achieves over a period of time compared to similar investments or its peers. Relative return is a measure of the asset's performance compared to the return to the other investment. The BlackRock Tactical Growth Fund has a 12-month excess return when compared to the Multi-Asset - 61-80% Diversified Index of 1.93% and 0.18% since inception.
Does the investment product produce Alpha over its Peers?
Alpha is an investing term used to measure an investment's outperformance relative to a market benchmark or peer investment. Alpha describes the excess return generated when compared to peer investment. BlackRock Tactical Growth Fund has produced Alpha over the Multi-Asset - 61-80% Diversified Index of NA% in the last 12 months and NA% since inception.
What are similar investment products?
For a full list of investment products in the Multi-Asset - 61-80% Diversified Index category, you can click here for the Peer Investment Report.
What level of diversification will BlackRock Tactical Growth Fund provide?
BlackRock Tactical Growth Fund has a correlation coefficient of 0.97 and a beta of 0.9 when compared to the Multi-Asset - 61-80% Diversified Index. Correlation measures how similarly two investments move in relation to one another. This establishes a 'correlation coefficient', which has a value between -1.0 and +1.0. A 100% correlation between two investments means that the correlation coefficient is +1. Beta in investments measures how much the price moves relative to the broader market over a period of time. If the investment moves more than the broader market, it has a beta above 1.0. If it moves less than the broader market, then the beta is less than 1.0. Investments with a high beta tend to carry more risk but have the potential to deliver higher returns.
How do I compare the investment product with its peers?
For a full quantitative report on BlackRock Tactical Growth Fund and its peer investments, you can click here for the Peer Investment Report.
How do I compare the BlackRock Tactical Growth Fund with the Multi-Asset Growth Investor Index?
For a full quantitative report on BlackRock Tactical Growth Fund compared to the Multi-Asset Growth Investor Index, you can click here.
Can I sort and compare the BlackRock Tactical Growth Fund to do my own analysis?
To sort and compare the BlackRock Tactical Growth Fund financial metrics, please refer to the table above.
Has the BlackRock Tactical Growth Fund been independently verified by SMSF Mate?
This investment product is in the process of being independently verified by SMSF Mate. Once we have verified the investment product, you will be able to find more information here.
How can I invest in BlackRock Tactical Growth Fund?
If you or your self managed super fund would like to invest in the BlackRock Tactical Growth Fund please contact PO Box N43, Grosvenor Place, Sydney NSW 1220 via phone 02 9272 2200 or via email ishares.australia@blackrock.com.
How do I get in contact with the BlackRock Tactical Growth Fund?
If you would like to get in contact with the BlackRock Tactical Growth Fund manager, please call 02 9272 2200.
Comments from SMSF Mates
SMSF Mate does not receive commissions or kickbacks from the BlackRock Tactical Growth Fund. All data and commentary for this fund is provided free of charge for our readers general information.
Performance Commentary - July 31, 2023 The BlackRock Tactical Growth Fund recorded a positive return for July of 2.07% (after fees), compared to its diversified benchmark which rose by 2.15% over the month. In terms of absolute performance, growth assets realised gains across the period, namely Global Equities, Australian Equities and Emerging Market Equities. Global Property and Global Infrastructure also contributed over the month.
The Fund’s more defensive asset classes added to performance in July, including Australian Inflation Linked Bonds, Global High Yield Corporate Bonds, Australian Investment Grade Corporate Bonds and Australian Fixed Income. US Inflation Linked Bonds modestly detracted over the month, while the defensive allocation to Gold further contributed across the period. On the active front, the Fund underperformed its diversified benchmark in July by -0.08% (after fees). Global Equities was the largest detractor as stock selection in China, Taiwan and Korea weighed on active performance, while positioning across information technology and financials also detracted.
Furthermore, the Emerging Market Equities strategy detracted due to stock selection across the period. The Fund’s Market-Neutral Style Premia strategy also underperformed its benchmark, but remains a strong contributor over the past year. Australian Equities was the largest contributor in July, driven by the Australian systematic strategy which benefited from machine learned Timing insights and positioning across materials and financials. The Fund invests in a Global Macro strategy that takes overweight and underweight positions across asset classes and regions. This sub-strategy further contributed alongside tactical portfolio tilts which were additive over the month.
Performance Commentary - June 30, 2023 Risk assets performed strongly over the second quarter of 2023. While sentiment was buoyed by a resolution to US debt ceiling negotiations and focus on generative artificial intelligence (AI), investors saw meaningful regional and sector dispersion across markets. Global equities, as measured by the MSCI World Index, increased by 7.5% over Q2 in Australian dollar terms, with Developed Markets outperforming their Emerging Market counterparts. Fixed Income markets, as represented by the Bloomberg Barclays Global Aggregate Index (hedged) declined 0.3% over the quarter, as sticky inflation and renewed expectations of higher-for-longer rates proved headwinds for government bonds.
The BlackRock Tactical Growth Fund recorded a positive return of 1.76% in Q2 (after fees), compared to its diversified benchmark which rose by 1.94% over the quarter. In terms of absolute performance, growth assets realised gains over the period, namely Global Equities, Australian Equities and Emerging Market Equities. Global Property also contributed in Q2, while Global Infrastructure was roughly flat. Defensive assets were negative over the quarter, including Australian Fixed Income, Australian Inflation Linked Bonds and US Inflation Linked Bonds. Australian Investment Grade Corporate Bonds also realised losses, although Global High Yield Corporate Bonds added to performance. The defensive allocation to Gold detracted over the period. On the active front, the Fund underperformed its diversified benchmark in Q2 by -0.17% (after fees). Emerging Market equities was one of the largest contributors over the quarter, as the allocation to a fundamental strategy benefitted from stock selection in Brazil and Taiwan. Global Property also outperformed its underlying benchmark, primarily driven by positioning within the EMEA region. The Fund invests in a Global Macro strategy that takes overweight and underweight positions across asset classes and regions. This sub-strategy contributed over the quarter, although was offset by tactical portfolio tilts which was the largest detractor in Q2 but remains additive over the past year. Global fixed income further detracted, particularly due to our global systematic strategy which takes long/short positions across a broad array of fixed income markets.
Performance Commentary - April 30, 2023 The BlackRock Tactical Growth Fund recorded performance of 1.50% in April (after fees), behind its diversified benchmark which gained 1.62%. The fund underperformed by 0.12% (after fees) in the month of April. Looking at total returns over the month, most asset classes experienced relatively strong performance. Growth assets such as Australian Equities and International Equities drove the fund’s total return, whilst the Emerging Market Equities declined as sentiment toward Chinese assets waned. International Property and Global Infrastructure also realised gains in April. The Fund’s more typical defensive asset classes, primarily Australian Fixed Income and International Fixed Income also contributed marginally to overall performance, despite the high intra-month volatility across the fixed income markets. Gold (in Australian dollar terms) also rose in April.
The key detraction to active performance came from International Equities, particularly our position in Asian markets- stock selection/s in South Korea and Taiwan detracted. The fund’s exposure to Australian Equities also declined over the month. However, the allocation to International Property outperformed its underlying benchmark and contributed meaningfully to the fund’s active return, while Global Infrastructure was flat in the period. After a strong Q1, active contributions from Global Macro strategies and market-neutral style premia strategy were also relatively muted in April.
Performance Commentary - March 31, 2023 The BlackRock Tactical Growth Fund recorded performance of 5.66% in Q1 (after fees), ahead of its diversified benchmark which increased 5.21%. The fund outperformed by 0.45% (after fees) in the first quarter.
Looking at total returns over the quarter, growth assets such as Australian Equities, International Equities and Emerging Market Equities contributed. Global Infrastructure and Global Property also modestly contributed in Q1. The Fund’s more typical defensive asset classes, primarily Australian Fixed Income and International Fixed Income also added to overall performance. The defensive allocation to Gold further contributed to the Fund’s performance.
The Fund outperformed its diversified benchmark in Q1 (after fees). The key contribution to active performance came from a market-neutral style premia strategy. This sub-strategy seeks to capture positive returns from a range of style factors (i.e., Momentum, Quality, Minimum Volatility, Value and Carry) across global asset classes, while maintaining low correlation to broad market indices. Across style factors, Value, Carry, Minimum Volatility and particularly strong returns in Quality given the U.S. regional banking crisis, drove outperformance. Momentum was the lone detractor over the quarter.
International Equities, Australian Equities and Global Infrastructure were also positive active contributors over the quarter. The allocation to Global Macro strategies, which enables the fund to take in macro-driven, high conviction tactical views detracted from the fund’s active returns, after a strong 2022. However, some timely tactical portfolio tilts in Australian bonds contributed positively and helped cushion active performance.
Performance Commentary - February 28, 2023 The BlackRock Tactical Growth Fund recorded performance of -0.75% in February (after fees), ahead of its diversified benchmark which declined 1.26%. The fund outperformed by 0.51% (after fees) in the month of February. Looking at total returns over the month, most asset classes experienced several headwinds and detracted from the fund’s performance. Growth assets such as Australian Equities and International Equities curbed the fund’s total return and the Emerging Market Equities also declined over the month after a strong performance in previous months. The portfolios significant exposure to movements in the Australian dollar helped ameliorate overall returns- in the case of our global equity exposure, unhedged returns were actually positive in February thanks to a weaker AUD. The Fund’s more typical defensive asset classes, primarily Australian Fixed Income and International Fixed Income also detracted from the overall performance as sharp rise in rates meant for falling bond prices. The allocation to Gold also declined over the period.
The Fund outperformed its diversified benchmark in February (after fees). The key contribution to active performance came from Global Macro strategies, which enables the fund to take in macro-driven, high conviction tactical views. This sub-strategy has been a significant contributor over the past year and was meaningful again this month after giving back some gains last month. The strategy has a meaningful underweight position in German, US and Japanese bonds, combined with overweight to US Value Equities. Active contributions from International Equites and a Style Premia strategy were also additive over the month. Global Property and Global Fixed Income also outperformed their underlying benchmark, while Global Infrastructure was relatively flat across the period.
Performance Commentary - November 30, 2022 The BlackRock Tactical Growth Fund recorded performance of 3.96% in November (after fees), behind its diversified benchmark which gained 4.26%. The fund underperformed by 0.30% (after fees) in the month of November. Looking at total returns over the month, most asset classes experienced relatively strong performance. Growth assets such as Australian Equities and International Equities drove the fund’s total return, Emerging Market Equities rebounded as result of incremental relaxation of China’s zeroCOVID policy.
The Fund’s more typical defensive asset classes, primarily Australian Fixed Income, International Fixed Income and Global High Yield also contributed positively to overall performance. The returns from allocation to International Infrastructure and Gold were additive. The Fund underperformed its diversified benchmark in November (after fees). The key detraction to active performance came from Global Fixed Income selection and Global Listed Real Estate. The allocation to Global Macro, contributed modestly to active returns.
Performance Commentary - October 31, 2022 The BlackRock Tactical Growth Fund recorded performance of 4.20% in October (after fees), ahead of its diversified benchmark which gained 4.07%. The fund outperformed by 0.13% (after fees) in the month of October. Looking at total returns over the month, most asset classes experienced relatively strong performance. The clear exceptions were Emerging Market Equities and Gold- the former being underwhelmed by the measures coming out of the 20th Chinese Communist Party as previously mentioned, while Gold gave back most of the strong returns from September. The Fund outperformed its diversified benchmark in October (after fees). The key contribution to active performance came from Global Macro, which enables the fund to take in macro-driven, high conviction tactical views.
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