Ninepoint Gold & Precious Minerals

December 2018 Commentary

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The Ninepoint Gold and Precious Minerals posted a strong December, gaining 10.84% (F Series) and ending the year on a strong note. The S&P/TSX Global Gold Index gained 13.88% over the same period while broader equities posted large declines headlined by the S&P 500 retreating 9.03% and the Nasdaq Composite dropping 9.98%.

Persistent volatility across equity and fixed-income markets has increased precious metal’s allure over the past quarter. Unlike previous declines over the past 24 months, such as the “Volpocalypse” of Jan 2017, Brexit in June 2016, and the China scare in early 2016, the current market decline and ongoing volatility are unrelated to a single issue that can be rapidly put into the rear-view mirror. The current decline owes its genesis to the flare-up in the US vs World trade tensions which over the past few months have been joined by an increasing number of economic and geopolitical gremlins. These include rising worries over the slowdown in US housing, a rising U.S. budget deficit expected to be over a trillion dollars in 2019, worrying economic data across the developed world and finally, the daily ebb and flow of the US-China trade tussle. We would be remiss if we did not mention that a potluck of regional issues in the always fragile Middle-East and the Brexit drama continue to simmer without attracting headlines in this part of the world.

Despite six consecutive months of price decline in 2018 from April to September, gold managed to hold its own at the psychologically important $1200/oz level. Despite short-sellers pressing their bets against gold to the highest level ever in 2018, gold managed to outperform the S&P 500, the Nasdaq Composite and the TSX Composite. Looking into 2019 and beyond we are beginning to see an emergence of a goldilocks environment for gold. Our base case for 2019 is a tenuous cease-fire in the US-China trade war, which leads to a risk-on, dollar negative move followed by firming inflation. An escalation of trade war would likely be stagflationary as increased tariffs on cheap, “inflation-fighting” Chinese made goods bite consumer wallets and the ongoing economic uncertainty becomes magnified. In either scenario, investors will continue to look towards the safety of precious metals as they have over the past few months.

The top three contributors to the fund performance in the month of December were Kirkland Lake Gold, Wheaton Precious Metals Corp and OceanaGold Corp.  Kirkland Lake released 2019 guidance and provided a new 3-year outlook for 2019 to 2021.  Strong 2019 guidance was expected by the market, but the company blew away expectations particularly for 2021 when Kirkland Lake is expecting to produce between 945,000 and 1,005,000 ounces.  Wheaton Precious announced the long-awaited settlement with the Canadian Revenue Agency, which provided a final resolution of the company’s tax appeal in connection with the reassessment under transfer pricing rules of the 2005 to 2010 taxation years. The stock rallied 14% on the day of the announcement.   OceanaGold received the preliminary permit approval for an underground mine that will extend the mine life at one of its key assets.

The top three detractors from the fund performance in December were Bonterra Resources Inc, Sabina Gold and Silver Corp and West African Resources Ltd.   Bonterra announced drill results from its resource development program at the Gladiator Deposit where the Company is expanding and defining the deposit ahead of the upcoming mineral resource estimate.  Sabina announced a below-market price bought deal financing for gross proceeds of $22 million with the company’s strategic investor Zhaojin International Mining electing to exercise its participation right to maintain their 9.9% equity interest.  West African announced a ~$238 million financing package that included debt and equity – the equity portion was at a discount to market.

 

 

1 All returns and fund details are a) based on Series F units; b) net of fees; c) annualized if period is greater than one year; d) as at December 31, 2018; e) 2001 annual returns are from 11/15/01 to 12/31/01. The index is 100% S&P/TSX Global Gold Total Return Index and is computed by Ninepoint Partners LP based on publicly available index information.

The Fund is generally exposed to the following risks. See the prospectus of the Fund for a description of these risks: commodity risk; concentration risk; currency risk; cybersecurity risk; derivatives risk; exchange traded funds risk; foreign investment risk; inflation risk; liquidity risk; market risk; securities lending, repurchase and reverse repurchase transactions risk; series risk; short selling risk; small capitalization natural resource company risk; sub-advisor risk; substantial unitholder risk; tax risk; uninsured losses risk.

Ninepoint Partners LP is the investment manager to the Ninepoint Funds (collectively, the “Funds”). Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees, performance fees (if any), other charges and expenses all may be associated with mutual fund investments. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing. The indicated rate of return for series F units of the Fund for the period ended December 31, 2018 is based on the historical annual compounded total return including changes in unit value and reinvestment of all distributions and does not take into account sales, redemption, distribution or optional charges or income taxes payable by any unitholder that would have reduced returns. Mutual funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. The information contained herein does not constitute an offer or solicitation by anyone in the United States or in any other jurisdiction in which such an offer or solicitation is not authorized or to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such an offer or solicitation. Prospective investors who are not resident in Canada should contact their financial advisor to determine whether securities of the Fund may be lawfully sold in their jurisdiction.

The opinions, estimates and projections (“information”) contained within this report are solely those of Ninepoint Partners LP and are subject to change without notice. Ninepoint Partners makes every effort to ensure that the information has been derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, Ninepoint Partners assumes no responsibility for any losses or damages, whether direct or indirect, which arise out of the use of this information. Ninepoint Partners is not under any obligation to update or keep current the information contained herein. The information should not be regarded by recipients as a substitute for the exercise of their own judgment. Please contact your own personal advisor on your particular circumstances. Views expressed regarding a particular company, security, industry or market sector should not be considered an indication of trading intent of any investment funds managed by Ninepoint Partners. Any reference to a particular company is for illustrative purposes only and should not to be considered as investment advice or a recommendation to buy or sell nor should it be considered as an indication of how the portfolio of any investment fund managed by Ninepoint Partners is or will be invested. Ninepoint Partners LP and/or its affiliates may collectively beneficially own/control 1% or more of any class of the equity securities of the issuers mentioned in this report. Ninepoint Partners LP and/or its affiliates may hold short position in any class of the equity securities of the issuers mentioned in this report. During the preceding 12 months, Ninepoint Partners LP and/or its affiliates may have received remuneration other than normal course investment advisory or trade execution services from the issuers mentioned in this report.

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Investment Team

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