Ninepoint Fixed Income Strategy

October 2019 Commentary

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Monthly commentary discusses recent developments across both the Diversified Bond and Credit Income Opportunities Funds.

Macro

October was yet another month where trade headlines dominated the market narrative. Sifting through the headlines, it is still unclear whether there will be a trade deal, but for now markets assume there will be, and thus have taken equities to new highs. Concurrently, economic data has stopped deteriorating (although it is not getting better), leading market participants to believe a mid-cycle rebound in economic activity is upon us. We do not yet share in this unbridled enthusiasm. If history is any guide, the movement in interest rates tend to lag a rebound in economic activity by about 6-months (Figure 1). As seen in this chart, global growth is still oscillating around the year’s lows. Accordingly, we think that it is best to wait for more concrete information before altering our duration stance, or in Fed Speak, be “data dependent”.

As expected, the Fed cut interest rates for the third time this year. They have now completed what they believe will be a “mid-cycle adjustment”, akin to the mid-1990s where they cut rates a few times and successfully sustained the economic expansion. However, as we discussed several times in prior commentaries, the problem with the current economic situation is not tight financial conditions (something rate cuts can help with), but the uncertainty and impact of the trade war with several of America’s trading partners. As well, U.S. economic activity is already weaker than those previous slowdown episodes that were successfully rescued by the Fed (Figure 2), so it remains to be seen if the analogy with the 1990s rebound will be repeated.

From our perspective, it is still too early to make the recession call either way. One thing we do know is that the recession signal from the yield curve inversion we witnessed this summer is a very strong one. While chatter of it in the financial press has subsided, the risk of it has by no means disappeared. In all previous instances the yield curve inverted then subsequently re-steepened before the start of the recession. All this to say, that the fact that the slope of the yield curve is back in positive territory doesn’t mean we are out of the woods yet.

Credit

Credit continues to perform well, in line with last month’s commentary. The new issue market has been very active, and deals tend to perform quite well. There is no change to our market positioning; we continue to prefer short duration, higher quality investment grade bonds that look more attractive relative to longer dated credit.

Diversified Bond Fund (DBF)

The increase in interest rates were the main driver behind the -0.27% loss in October. As discussed earlier, credit continues to perform well, and our positions are no exception. There were no major changes in the portfolio in October.


Credit Income Opportunities Fund (Credit Opps)

The Credit Opps was down 6bps in October, largely due to weakness in our US 10-year treasury notes, offset by strength in our credit positions. There were no major changes in the fund in October, we are comfortable with the current fund positioning and prefer to wait for better opportunities to emerge before making meaningful portfolio construction changes.
 

Conclusion

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

Until next month,
The Bond Team: Mark, Etienne and Chris

1 All Ninepoint Diversified Bond Fund 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 October 31, 2019 1 All Ninepoint Credit Income Opportunities Fund returns and fund details are a) based on Class A units (closed to subscriptions); b) net of fees; c) annualized if period is greater than one year; d) as at October 31, 2019.

The Ninepoint Diversified Bond Fund is generally exposed to the following risks. See the prospectus of the Fund for a description of these risks: Capital depletion risk (Series T, Series FT, Series PT, Series PFT, Series QT, and Series QFT shares only); Capital gains risk; Class risk; Concentration risk; Credit risk; Currency risk; Cybersecurity risk; Derivatives risk; Exchange traded funds risk; Foreign investment risk; Inflation risk; Interest rate risk; Liquidity risk; Regulatory risk; Securities lending, repurchase and reverse repurchase transactions risk; Series risk; Short selling risk; Specific issuer risk; Tax risk; Tracking risk.

 

The Ninepoint Credit Income Opportunities Fund is generally exposed to the following risks. See the offering memorandum of the Fund for a description of these risks: General Economic and Market Conditions; Assessment of the Market; Not a Public Mutual Fund; Limited Operating History for the Fund; Class Risk; Charges to the Fund; Changes in Investment Objective, Strategies and Restrictions; Unitholders not Entitled to Participate in Management; Dependence of the Manager on Key Personnel; Reliance on the Manager; Resale Restrictions; Illiquidity; Possible Effect of Redemptions; Liability of Unitholders; Potential Indemnification Obligations; Lack of Independent Experts Representing Unitholders; No Involvement of Unaffiliated Selling Agent; Valuation of the Fund’s Investments; Concentration; Foreign Investment Risk; Illiquidity of Underlying Investments; Tax; Litigation; Fixed Income Securities; Equity Securities; Idle Cash; Currency Risk; Suspension of Trading.

Ninepoint Credit Income Opportunities Fund is offered on a private placement basis pursuant to an offering memorandum and are only available to investors who meet certain eligibility or minimum purchase amount requirements under applicable securities legislation. The offering memorandum contains important information about the Funds, including their investment objective and strategies, purchase options, applicable management fees, performance fees, other charges and expenses, and should be read carefully before investing in the Funds. Performance data represents past performance of the Fund and is not indicative of future performance. Data based on performance history of less than five years may not give prospective investors enough information to base investment decisions on. Please contact your own personal advisor on your particular circumstance. This communication does not constitute an offer to sell or solicitation to purchase securities of the Fund. 

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 October 31, 2019 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 LP. 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 LP 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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