Asset Allocation & Fund Positioning, Copley Fund Research

Steven Holden

Asset Allocation & Fund Positioning

Copley Fund Research

Copley Fund Research provide research and data on asset allocation among Global and Emerging Market equity funds.  The analysis details absolute and relative positioning across countries, sectors and industries together with highly granular data on single stock and single fund allocations.  The data is updated monthly with time series going back to January 2011.

Global Research - Analysis of 165 prominent Global equity funds, combined AUM $335bn
GEM Research - Analysis of 127 prominent global EM equity funds, combined AUM $250bn

Asset Allocation - Global and GEM Equity

Cross Asset Strategy

<ul>
<li>South African allocations have fallen to record lows among active GEM investors.  Over the last 6-months, weights have fallen by 0.77% to just 2.82% after fund outflows of $2.78bn.</li>
<li>Naspers was the driver following the Prosus exchange offer.  28 of the 126 pre-existing holders of Naspers sold down their positions , totalling $2.45bn in combined outflows</li>
<li>Strip out Naspers and South Africa looks to be bottoming out.  Selected stocks are starting to attract interest from active EM managers, led by FirstRand, MTN and Capitec.</li>
</ul>


South African allocations have fallen to record lows among active GEM investors.  Over the last 6-months, weights have fallen by 0.77% to just 2.82% after fund outflows of $2.78bn.
Naspers was the driver following the Prosus exchange offer.  28 of the 126 pre-existing holders of Naspers sold down their positions , totalling $2.45bn in combined outflows
Strip out Naspers and South Africa looks to be bottoming out.  Selected stocks are starting to attract interest from active EM managers, led by FirstRand, MTN and Capitec.


Naspers Drives South Africa Positioning to All-Time Lows, but Bright Spots Emerge

Technical Analyst, Vermilion Research

Joe Jasper

Technical Analyst

Technical and Quantitative Research

Vermilion Research

Vermilion’s objective is to deliver timely, actionable, and unique technical research to professional investors through the application of our various technical indicators.

Our research strategists seek to highlight securities which we believe are at major inflection points, based on our various technical and quantitative indicators, and offer asymmetric risk/return profiles. Our unique research methodology, centered on relative strength, enables our strategists to deliver superior investment recommendations.

Our process begins by organizing the universe of actively traded stocks into discrete sectors, then into industry groups. We then apply our technical and quantitative tools to identify developing price trends. Once attractive trends are identified within a selected sector or group, we screen for individual stocks which we believe offer the best risk/reward profile. We provide a historical perspective that often reveals, through our long-term charts, how price patterns often repeat themselves over time.

Technical Analysis

Our biggest concerns have stemmed from a handful of large-cap China internet names, which have held back the MSCI EM and Hang Seng indexes. We are also getting a breakout above $93.50-93.75 on the US dollar, a concerning risk-off signal. Still, our list of concerns remains short, and our outlook remains neutral yet constructive overall.

Our biggest concerns have stemmed from a handful of large-cap China internet names, which have held back the MSCI EM and Hang Seng indexes. We are also getting a breakout above $93.50-93.75 on the US dollar, a concerning risk-off signal. Still, our list of concerns remains short, and our outlook remains neutral yet constructive overall.

Global Cyclical Value Sectors Improving -- Buying Financials and Energy Names: ING Groep, Many More

TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing) / Technical Analysis

TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing)

Emerging market equities have been one of the worst areas to invest in 2021, but we see early signs of positive change. With the US dollar failing to break above resistance at $93.50 and the MSCI EM ETF (EEM-US) displaying a false breakdown at $52, we believe now is an opportune time to add exposure to emerging market equities. To be clear, we are not getting overly bullish on EM; we have favored developed int’l (EAFE) over EM since May, and we are now shifting back to a neutral stance between the two. We see reason to believe the tide is shifting in EM’s favor. Below we highlight attractive and actionable themes within EM.

Emerging market equities have been one of the worst areas to invest in 2021, but we see early signs of positive change. With the US dollar failing to break above resistance at $93.50 and the MSCI EM ETF (EEM-US) displaying a false breakdown at $52, we believe now is an opportune time to add exposure to emerging market equities. To be clear, we are not getting overly bullish on EM; we have favored developed int’l (EAFE) over EM since May, and we are now shifting back to a neutral stance between the two. We see reason to believe the tide is shifting in EM’s favor. Below we highlight attractive and actionable themes within EM.

Shifting Exposure To Emerging Markets; Buying TSMC/Taiwan Semi, ICICI Bank, Many Others

Global Emerging Market Equities, Propitious Research

Wium Malan, CFA

Global Emerging Market Equities

Independent, Fundamental Quantitative Research

Propitious Research

Fully independent, fundamental and quantitative equity research, focused on companies in the Telecommunication, Media, Technology, Internet and Healthcare sectors in the Global Emerging Markets. Idea generation focused on Quality stocks, trading below their intrinsic Value, with sound Corporate Governance.

Quantitative Analysis

This insight provides the output, and an overview of our, machine learning-driven, proprietary GEM screening model, which takes a three-pronged approach to find the best medium-term long ideas within the top100 largest stocks in the MSCI GEM Index. The model is based on 1) a typical quantitative multifactor screening model, enhanced by two Artificial Intelligence Technology-based approaches using 2) a Deep Neural Network model, and 3) a Recurrent Neural Network model. This model, which has been developed and tweaked over the past 24 months (and implemented in its current state for &gt;12 months), has a solid real-world performance track record, which I set out in the detail below. Notable new entrants to the top decile this month include a host of energy plays (<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/gazprom-pjsc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:23749:1" rel="noopener">Gazprom PJSC (GAZP RX)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/lukoil-pjsc-2bfe0130-461e-4ff3-af12-93bec12e6325" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27148:1" rel="noopener">LUKOIL (LKOH RM)</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ptt-pcl" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:197:1" rel="noopener">PTT PCL (PTT TB)</a>,  and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/cnooc-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:175:1" rel="noopener">CNOOC Ltd (883 HK)</a>) as well as a return for South African banking group <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/firstrand-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24971:1" rel="noopener">FirstRand Ltd (FSR SJ)</a>, and a recovery call for Chinese online gaming powerhouse <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/netease" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29030:1" rel="noopener">NetEase (9999 HK)</a>.<table class="table table-striped">
<colgroup>
<col>
<col>
<col>
<col>
<col>
</colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 48pt;">rank</td>
<td style="width: 169pt;">Name</td>
<td style="width: 119pt;">Sector</td>
<td style="width: 95pt;">Location</td>
<td style="text-align: center; width: 48pt;">prev.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">1</td>
<td>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/gazprom-pjsc-6a7231a9-d5e4-4da4-bf21-aa1b9d50fbf8" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27578:1" rel="noopener">Gazprom PJSC (GAZP RM)</a> </td>
<td>Energy</td>
<td>Russian Federation</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">12</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">2</td>
<td>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/lukoil-pjsc-2bfe0130-461e-4ff3-af12-93bec12e6325" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:27148:1" rel="noopener">LUKOIL (LKOH RM)</a> </td>
<td>Energy</td>
<td>Russian Federation</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">28</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">3</td>
<td>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ptt-pcl" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:197:1" rel="noopener">PTT PCL (PTT TB)</a> </td>
<td>Energy</td>
<td>Thailand</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">30</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">4</td>
<td>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/china-resources-land-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:418:1" rel="noopener">China Resources Land (1109 HK)</a> </td>
<td>Real Estate</td>
<td>China</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">5</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">5</td>
<td>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/netease" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29030:1" rel="noopener">NetEase (9999 HK)</a> </td>
<td>Communication</td>
<td>China</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">47</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">6</td>
<td>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/firstrand-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24971:1" rel="noopener">FirstRand Ltd (FSR SJ)</a> </td>
<td>Financials</td>
<td>South Africa</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">68</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">7</td>
<td>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/cnooc-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:175:1" rel="noopener">CNOOC Ltd (883 HK)</a> </td>
<td>Energy</td>
<td>China</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">25</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">8</td>
<td>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bank-of-china-ltd-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:656:1" rel="noopener">Bank Of China Ltd (H) (3988 HK)</a> </td>
<td>Financials</td>
<td>China</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">51</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">9</td>
<td>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/mmc-norilsk-nickel-pjsc-dcb09449-eb24-4747-b1c9-77fbf35e8398" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:33242:1" rel="noopener">MMC Norilsk Nickel PJSC (GMKN RX)</a> </td>
<td>Materials</td>
<td>Russian Federation</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">22</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;">10</td>
<td>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/new-oriental-education-technology-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:32210:1" rel="noopener">New Oriental Education &amp; Technology Group (9901 HK)</a> </td>
<td>Consumer Discretionary</td>
<td>China</td>
<td style="text-align: center;">3</td>
</tr>
<tr><td colspan="5" style="text-align: left;">Source: FactSet financial data and analytics, my estimates and calculations, Tensorflow, Keras, Google Colaboratory, pandas</td></tr>
</tbody>
</table>As usual, please feel free to reach out for the full output table, any questions, clarifications needed or suggestions.

This insight provides the output, and an overview of our, machine learning-driven, proprietary GEM screening model, which takes a three-pronged approach to find the best medium-term long ideas within the top100 largest stocks in the MSCI GEM Index. The model is based on 1) a typical quantitative multifactor screening model, enhanced by two Artificial Intelligence Technology-based approaches using 2) a Deep Neural Network model, and 3) a Recurrent Neural Network model. This model, which has been developed and tweaked over the past 24 months (and implemented in its current state for &gt;12 months), has a solid real-world performance track record, which I set out in the detail below. Notable new entrants to the top decile this month include a host of energy plays (Gazprom PJSC (GAZP RX), LUKOIL (LKOH RM), PTT PCL (PTT TB),  and CNOOC Ltd (883 HK)) as well as a return for South African banking group FirstRand Ltd (FSR SJ), and a recovery call for Chinese online gaming powerhouse NetEase (9999 HK).









rank
Name
Sector
Location
prev.


1

Gazprom PJSC (GAZP RM) 
Energy
Russian Federation
12


2

LUKOIL (LKOH RM) 
Energy
Russian Federation
28


3

PTT PCL (PTT TB) 
Energy
Thailand
30


4

China Resources Land (1109 HK) 
Real Estate
China
5


5

NetEase (9999 HK) 
Communication
China
47


6

FirstRand Ltd (FSR SJ) 
Financials
South Africa
68


7

CNOOC Ltd (883 HK) 
Energy
China
25


8

Bank Of China Ltd (H) (3988 HK) 
Financials
China
51


9

MMC Norilsk Nickel PJSC (GMKN RX) 
Materials
Russian Federation
22


10

New Oriental Education &amp; Technology Group (9901 HK) 
Consumer Discretionary
China
3

Source: FactSet financial data and analytics, my estimates and calculations, Tensorflow, Keras, Google Colaboratory, pandas

As usual, please feel free to reach out for the full output table, any questions, clarifications needed or suggestions. 

Global Bank Equity Specialist, Creative Portfolios

Paul Hollingworth

Global Bank Equity Specialist

Creative Portfolios

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

Africa has been described as the "final frontier". Regarding financial services, the adoption of new technologies is progressing fast in young underbanked populations. And the market is huge- almost the size of India or China. It is here that there is greatest potential returns and the greatest risk- from climate change, terrorism etc. Zimbabwe is a case in point: high risk but highly profitable.South Africa is a regional hub, not just for manufacturing but for financial services.  The top banks with broadly similar business models have ample exposure to high-risk high-return markets outside their home base. Just as say, though to a lesser scale, the Colombian banks tap into opportunities in Central America.The South African system has weather the C-19 storm better than many foretold and remains resilient and open to external financing. Impaired Loans hover around 5% which seems a fair reflection of the Asset Quality of the system unlike elsewhere. Liquidity and Capitalisation (helped by dividend restrictions) are on an upward trend though lower interest rates have exerted a negative pull on NIM/Spread and Profitability (despite Cost of Funds reduction) as LLPs have risen fast and top-lines have flatlined. This has affected Efficiency ratios. Writeback of provisions has yet to materialise in contrast to other markets. This means that the PH Score has eroded. The deterioration in value-quality trends though has been more than offset by the commodity tailwind which has underpinned South African bank shares. There are similarities again with Brazil.Despite their exposure to regional markets, South African banks remain mainly a narrative around the Sovereign. They hold a lot of government debt. Credit risk is more pronounced in the Sovereign than the banks. Low growth, high unemployment, C-19 and its impact on tourism and mining, and a dysfunctional energy market remain huge challenges. But the top banks adopt quality risk management policies in the face of potential and real defaults in areas such as car loans, consumer finance, and SMEs.With the top banks, as has been mentioned there are great similarities in business model, though there are nuances and slight differences of identity and focus. Standard Bank Group is partially owned by ICBC and thus has more of a Chinese connection.  Nedbank has a concentration in CRE which has as yet not revealed stresses from C-19. FirstRand has its merchant bank. Absa, Standard, Nedbank, and FirstRand all share a pan-African focus. Capitec is somewhat different structurally though with a mass market proposition, more susceptible to labour statistics, though lower income inhabitants tend to be better clients than many think.South African bank shares have had a good run of late. They have coped better than many thought, including this author. I underestimated the impact of higher commodities and extent of funding expansion (Liquidity injection) on the sector. Valuations are now of course higher. Once we get higher PH Scores, I will be somewhat more confident.  That could be around the corner in some cases with writebacks of provisions at some stage. But the market remains quite highly rated. For a reason: top South African banks (again like Brazil) know their onions.  Regarding recent trading history, momentum is not bad though the reflation story has taken a few knocks of late and shares have run out of steam.

Africa has been described as the "final frontier". Regarding financial services, the adoption of new technologies is progressing fast in young underbanked populations. And the market is huge- almost the size of India or China. It is here that there is greatest potential returns and the greatest risk- from climate change, terrorism etc. Zimbabwe is a case in point: high risk but highly profitable.South Africa is a regional hub, not just for manufacturing but for financial services.  The top banks with broadly similar business models have ample exposure to high-risk high-return markets outside their home base. Just as say, though to a lesser scale, the Colombian banks tap into opportunities in Central America.The South African system has weather the C-19 storm better than many foretold and remains resilient and open to external financing. Impaired Loans hover around 5% which seems a fair reflection of the Asset Quality of the system unlike elsewhere. Liquidity and Capitalisation (helped by dividend restrictions) are on an upward trend though lower interest rates have exerted a negative pull on NIM/Spread and Profitability (despite Cost of Funds reduction) as LLPs have risen fast and top-lines have flatlined. This has affected Efficiency ratios. Writeback of provisions has yet to materialise in contrast to other markets. This means that the PH Score has eroded. The deterioration in value-quality trends though has been more than offset by the commodity tailwind which has underpinned South African bank shares. There are similarities again with Brazil.Despite their exposure to regional markets, South African banks remain mainly a narrative around the Sovereign. They hold a lot of government debt. Credit risk is more pronounced in the Sovereign than the banks. Low growth, high unemployment, C-19 and its impact on tourism and mining, and a dysfunctional energy market remain huge challenges. But the top banks adopt quality risk management policies in the face of potential and real defaults in areas such as car loans, consumer finance, and SMEs.With the top banks, as has been mentioned there are great similarities in business model, though there are nuances and slight differences of identity and focus. Standard Bank Group is partially owned by ICBC and thus has more of a Chinese connection.  Nedbank has a concentration in CRE which has as yet not revealed stresses from C-19. FirstRand has its merchant bank. Absa, Standard, Nedbank, and FirstRand all share a pan-African focus. Capitec is somewhat different structurally though with a mass market proposition, more susceptible to labour statistics, though lower income inhabitants tend to be better clients than many think.South African bank shares have had a good run of late. They have coped better than many thought, including this author. I underestimated the impact of higher commodities and extent of funding expansion (Liquidity injection) on the sector. Valuations are now of course higher. Once we get higher PH Scores, I will be somewhat more confident.  That could be around the corner in some cases with writebacks of provisions at some stage. But the market remains quite highly rated. For a reason: top South African banks (again like Brazil) know their onions.  Regarding recent trading history, momentum is not bad though the reflation story has taken a few knocks of late and shares have run out of steam.

South African Banks: Opportunities and Risks

South Africa

FirstRand Limited is a portfolio of separately branded, integrated financial services businesses offering a universal set of transactional, lending, investment and insurance products and services in South Africa, certain markets in sub-Saharan Africa and the UK.

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FirstRand (FSR SJ)

Naspers Drives South Africa Positioning to All-Time Lows, but Bright Spots Emerge

Heavy selling in Naspers has driven South Africa exposure to record lows following the Prosus exchange offer. EM active managers turn instead to...

Steven Holden

Global Cyclical Value Sectors Improving -- Buying Financials and Energy Names: ING Groep, Many More

Continued rising rates is likely to support value Sectors moving forward (especially Financials and Energy), and it also typically indicates...

Vermilion Research

Shifting Exposure To Emerging Markets; Buying TSMC/Taiwan Semi, ICICI Bank, Many Others

We see early signs of positive change within EM, and we present a strong case as to why we believe now is an opportune time to add exposure.

Vermilion Research

Screening for GEMs: September 2021

This insight provides an overview of our, machine learning-driven, proprietary GEM screening model, based on a Multifactor model, a Deep Neural...

Wium Malan, CFA

South African Banks: Opportunities and Risks

South African bank shares have performed well of late, underpinned by commodities narrative. They remain quite highly rated though long-term the...

Paul Hollingworth

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52-week Range

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