Northstar BCI Income Fund

This low-risk fund is ideal for investors who require regular and stable income that targets inflation beating returns over the long-term, while actively managing risk of capital loss in the short-term. The recommended investment time horizon is 1-3 years. Managed in accordance with Regulation 28.

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Fund Performance

Northstar BCI Income Fund

Who should invest

This low risk fund is ideal for investors seeking consistent above cash and inflation returns whilst generating a healthy income from a diverse portfolio of actively managed income assets. This fund is managed in accordance with Regulation 28, making it suitable for retirement capital. An investment time horizon of at least 3 years is recommended.

Returns reflected below the chart are annualised. Source: Bloomberg, MorningStar and Northstar Asset Management.

Horizon:

  • 3 Years
  • 5 Years
  • 7 Years
  • 10 Years
  • SINCE INCEPTION
FUND RETURN

Benchmark Return

Outperformance

Benchmark Return

Outperformance

  • Provides investors with regular and stable income.
  • Targets inflation beating returns over the long-term.
  • High liquidity profile and well diversified across asset classes.
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Invest Now

Invest with Northstar directly

We can assist you with making direct investments but without financial advice. Direct investments via Northstar are subject to certain minimums.  Simply get in touch with our client service team by emailing admin@northstar.co.za

Speak to your financial advisor

Northstar’s funds are available via all the major local and offshore LISPS (linked Investment Services Providers). Please contact us for further information on how to invest via a LISP should that be your preference.

Requirements For This Fund

  • R 10 000
  • R 500
    • Certified Copy of both sides of ID Document with 3 specimen signatures.
    • Proof of Address (not older than 3 months) e.g. utility bill, rates, Telkom.
    • Proof of Banking details (not older than 3 months).
    • SARS document containing name and tax number.
  • Our unit trust range can be accessed via a number of platform providers. Please contact us for further information.

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Further Reading

Commentary for the quarter ended 30 June 2023

Q2 2023 Performance review

The Northstar Income fund outperformed the STeFI x110% benchmark over the last 12 months, with a return of 8.26% vs. 7.21%.

The 37% weighting to fixed bonds contributed 3.41%, with solid performances from the R2030, R213, and ABS7 holdings. The 39% average weighting to Inflation Linked Bonds was the next best contributor of 2.19%, mainly due to holdings in I2025, FRBI25, SBSI14, and SBSI11. The balance of exposure in Gold (GLD 9%), floating rate notes 13%, and US Cash 2% contributed equally to the balance of returns.

Over the quarter, the fund has delivered softer returns of 84bps relative to the 2.1% from STeFI x110%. Fixed bond holdings of 31% detracted 8bps, and the 1% exposure to property detracted 3bps. The balance of exposures delivered positive returns, including our inflation-linked bonds, which contributed 30bps, despite the inflation-linked bond index providing a negative return of -74bps. The consolation is that the Northstar Income Fund outperformed the strategic benchmark by 46bps.

Market Outlook and Portfolio Positioning

Inflation continues to moderate, with one-year consensus projections at approximately 5% for SA CPI YoY and 2.75% for US Inflation. As a result, the market is anticipating interest rates to top out this year, with the only debate as to whether there will be another one or two 25bps hikes by the Fed.

The US yield curve remains steeply inverted, with the bond market anticipating much looser monetary policy from the Fed within the next two years. The factors driving this view are; 1) the Fed has inflation under control, and 2) the economy will experience a rapid slowdown. We believe the bond market is being over-optimistic (US10y trading as low as 3.38% during the quarter) and the yield curve remaining inverted for a year (US10y minus US2y at -1%), and yet no indication from the Fed that interest rates have peaked or when rates are likely to start moderating. Any upwards revisions to inflation or the economic outlook will likely see US bond yields rise.

Conversely, local fixed bonds have yet to price in lower interest rates and inflation and continue to reflect slowing economic growth and heightened fiscal risk. Despite softer commodity prices, the Rand and local bonds probably reflect unrealistically pessimistic outcomes, given the discipline of the SARB and their efforts to control inflation. The differential between the US10y and SA10y is near historic highs of 8%, despite the anticipated inflation differential at historic lows of 2%.

Local fixed-income assets look poised to deliver handsome real returns for investors; however, we remain vigilant with an underweight corporate bond holding, both locally and offshore. In addition, we hold inflation-linked bonds at the front end of the local curve and maintain an appropriate amount of exposure to Gold through the GLD ETF.

Overall, the Northstar Income Fund trades on a yield of 9.2%, with the prospect of further gains from our attractively priced fixed bonds on a 10.4% yield and 6-year maturity profile. From a risk perspective, the portfolio has a modified duration of 2.4 and a weighted average maturity profile of 2.8 years; however, and remains very well diversified across both local and offshore assets.

Quarterly Fund Video as at 30 June 2023

 

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About This Fund

Latest Allocation

  • Fixed Income
  • Cash
  • Equity
  • Alternatives
Management Date
22 July 2014
Sector
South African - Multi Asset - Income
Fund Size
R 599 million
Minimum Investment
Lump sum: R 10 000
Monthly: R 500
Latest Distribution
1.42 cpu (30/06/2023)
INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT FEE
0.85% p.a. (Excl. VAT)
Risk Profile
Low
Allocation
Time Horizon
1-3 Years
Regulation 28
Yes
Benchmark
110% STeFI Call Deposit
Fund Classification
South African - Multi Asset - Income

* This is the date Northstar began the management of the fund