Ninepoint Global Real Estate Fund

October 2021 Commentary

Year-to-date to October 31, the Ninepoint Global Real Estate Fund generated a total return of 24.28% compared to the MSCI World IMI Core Real Estate Index, which generated a total return of 18.24%. For the month, the Fund generated a total return of 6.05% while the Index generated a total return of 3.44%.

After a relatively benign correction in September, a historically challenging month for investors, the broad equity markets rebounded nicely in October, avoiding a Halloween scare. Looking back at our September commentary, we had rationalized the selloff by categorizing the issues into three main buckets: concern regarding the Fed tapering bond purchases or raising interest rates, anxiety regarding supply chain issues (and the ensuing inflationary pressures) and worries regarding political gridlock in Washington. These issues, after being ignored for some time, suddenly moved to the forefront in September but, just as quickly, seemed to fade into the background in October thus allowing a powerful relief rally to unfold.

Although monetary policy has powered equity market returns since the Global Financial Crisis, it was perhaps the least impactful driver of the recent correction and subsequent relief rally. Notably, October was bracketed by FOMC meetings on September 22nd and on November 3rd, so investors had no official statement during the month to scrutinize. However, the September 22nd FOMC meeting probably helped to calm the nerves of investors, with the official statement suggesting that the economy was making progress and “if progress continues broadly as expected, the Committee judges that a moderation in the pace of asset purchases may soon be warranted”. Chairman Powell also took the time to articulate that a reduction in asset purchases is not intended to signal impending rate hikes, essentially confirming the Fed’s stance that tapering is not tightening. As fears of a policy mistake by the Fed dissipated, the equity markets started to find support by the end of September.

With the markets primed for a relief rally by the beginning of October, the second issue that had pressured markets during September thankfully showed some signs that the worst had passed. Essentially, the supply chain issues that had been impacting global manufacturing (creating availability problems and price dislocations) seemed to turn the corner during the month. We can come up with several examples of the headline news simply becoming less bad. For example, President Biden announced expanded operating hours at the Port of Long Beach and the Port of Los Angeles, which should eventually allow the backlog of materials, components and finished goods to shrink. October light vehicle sales improved sequentially to 13.1 million units up from 12.3 million units in September and new car inventories grew 4.6% sequentially as production rebounded after being severely impacted by the semiconductor shortage. Vietnam (an important region for apparel and footwear production) and Malaysia (an important region for semiconductor testing and packaging), began to reopen production facilities after strict lockdowns due to Delta variant concerns. As fears of runaway inflation began to recede, commodity prices moderated, shipping rates retreated, and investors breathed a sigh of relief.

The third issue facing investors in September, gridlock in Washington due to political infighting and partisan politics, also began to clear in October. Congress had managed to pass a continuing resolution to avoid a government shutdown in September and finally passed a bill to raise the debt ceiling limit by $480 billion in October. This amount was large enough to allow the US Government to continue funding its obligations through December 3, thus avoiding an incredibly costly and embarrassing default. Further, Congress has just successfully passed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill and the legislation is now heading to President Biden to be signed into law. This fiscal package should be considered a political win for both parties given the essential nature of the proposed spending and its importance to the near-term economic growth and long-term competitiveness of the United States. Finally, although details of the proposed social infrastructure spending package (the Build Back Better Plan) have yet to be agreed upon, signs of compromise have emerged, and we expect a vote on the bill by mid-November. As we’ve said before, uncertainty is never good for the equity markets but if investors can just see some progress towards a positive outcome, the markets generally can head higher.

Over the balance of the year, we remain optimistic regarding the investment outlook. With long-term interest rates still well below 2.0% (the US 10-year Treasury bond yield is currently trading around 1.50% despite experiencing some volatility during September and October) and consensus earnings growth of 9% in 2022 (according to FactSet), forward earnings multiples seem reasonable. So, despite the correction and relief rally in September and October respectively, investors should remain focused on the facts that vaccination rates are up, Covid-19 hospitalizations and deaths are down, and the global economy is slowly reopening. With corporate confidence improving and balance sheets in good shape, we believe that share buybacks are set to ramp up and dividend growth is set to accelerate over the next few years. Essentially, this environment bodes well for the relative performance of our dividend and real asset strategies over the medium term.

Top contributors to the year-to-date performance of the Ninepoint Global Real Estate Fund by sub-industry included Residential REITs (+793 bps), Industrial REITs (+767 bps) and Specialized REITs (+545 bps) while top detractors by sub-industry included Health Care REITs (-68 bps), Integrated Telecommunication Services (-23 bps) and Hotel & Resort REITs (-20 bps) on an absolute basis.

On a relative basis, positive return contributions from the Industrial REITs (+396 bps), Residential REITs (+378 bps) and Specialized REITs (+207 bps) sub-industries were offset by negative contributions from the Health Care REITs (-136 bps), Diversified REITs (-93 bps) and Office REITs (-52 bps) sub-industries.

We are currently overweight Industrial REITs, Specialized REITs and Residential REITs while underweight Diversified REITs, Real Estate Operating Companies and Health Care REITs. Consistent with prior commentaries, we have positioned for the middle phase of the investment cycle. In the Real Estate sector, the reopening trade continues to gain momentum as the world returns to normal and we are positioned for continued outperformance of this theme.

The Ninepoint Global Real Estate Fund was concentrated in 30 positions as at October 31, 2021 with the top 10 holdings accounting for approximately 38.6% of the fund. Over the prior fiscal year, 19 out of our 30 holdings have announced a dividend increase, with an average hike of 2.8% (median hike of 4.5%). Using a total real estate approach, we will continue to apply a disciplined investment process, balancing valuation, growth and yield in an effort to generate solid risk-adjusted returns.

Jeffrey Sayer, CFA
Ninepoint Partners

Effective February 7, 2017 the Sprott Global REIT & Property Equity Fund’s name was changed to Sprott Global Real Estate Fund, subsequently on August 1, 2017 becoming Ninepoint Global Real Estate Fund.

1All 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, 2021; e) 2015 annual returns are from 08/04/15 to 12/31/15. The index is 100% MSCI World IMI Core Real Estate NR (CAD) and is computed by Ninepoint Partners LP based on publicly available index information.

The Fund is generally exposed to the following risks. See the Simplified Prospectus of the Fund for a description of these risks: capital depletion risk, concentration risk, credit risk, currency risk, cybersecurity risk; derivatives risk, emerging markets risk, equity real estate investment trust (REIT) risk, exchange traded funds risk, foreign investment risk, income trust risk, inflation risk, interest rate risk, liquidity risk, market risk, real estate risk, regulatory risk, series risk, short selling risk, specific issuer risk, tax risk.

Ninepoint Partners LP is the investment manager to the Ninepoint Funds (collectively, the “Funds”). Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees, performance fees (if any), and other expenses all may be associated with investing in the Funds. 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, 2021 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 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 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 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.

Ninepoint Partners LP: Toll Free: 1.866.299.9906. DEALER SERVICES: CIBC Mellon GSSC Record Keeping Services: Toll Free: 1.877.358.0540

Historical Commentary