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News & Insights

Latest News.

Melbourne, 2 February 2021 - MAXCAP GROUP PTY LTD’S OPERATIONAL CAPABILITY RANKING UPGRADED TO ‘VERY STRONG'.

Australia Ratings has reviewed its Operation Capability Assessment (OCA) of MaxCap Group Pty Ltd (MaxCap) and upgraded its ranking to ‘VERY STRONG’. This rating reflects the strong investment management and financial performance since incorporation, which has been maintained despite the COVID-19 pandemic event.

A ‘VERY STRONG’ rating is the second highest rating on the Australia Ratings’ OCA Ranking Scale; it reflects the very strong capacity of an operating party to perform its operational role and assist the Fund in meeting financial obligations.

The full report is available from www.australiaratings.com.
Find out more about Australia Ratings’ Operational Capability Assessments by visiting www.australiaratings.com.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Natasha Hall, Director
natasha.hall@australiaratings.com 03 8080 6684

Australia Ratings invites comments and submissions on the following proposed new criteria to be used in evaluating if capital instruments issued by mutual institutions should be considered equivalent to ordinary equity in the credit risk analysis of the entity issuing the capital instruments.

Submissions on the proposed criteria should be sent to info@australiaratings.com and be received by Monday 1 March 2021.  It is expected that Australia Ratings will publish a summary of any submissions received and final criteria on www.austrliaratings.com in March 2021.

Melbourne, 15 December 2020 – La Trobe Financial Asset Management Ltd's Operational Capability Ranking Affirmed as SUPERIOR

Australia Ratings has reviewed and affirmed its Operation Capability Assessment (OCA) of La Trobe Financial Asset Management Limited (LFAM), in its role as the Responsible Entity for the La Trobe Australian Credit Fund (the Fund), as ‘SUPERIOR’. This rating reflects the ongoing investment of the La Trobe Financial Group in its human resources, governance arrangements, and risk and compliance practices, in addition to the ongoing financial backing from the Blackstone Group and a further strengthening in corporate financial performance, despite the COVID-19 event.

A ‘SUPERIOR’ rating is the highest available rating from the Australia Ratings’ OCA Ranking Scale; it reflects the superior capacity of an operating party to perform its operational role and assist the Fund in meeting financial obligations. Australia Ratings analyst, Natasha Hall, said, “the affirmed ‘Superior’ rating is a positive reflection on management of risk at La Trobe Financial, the resilience of the Fund throughout the pandemic, similar to the prior experience during the GFC. The affirmation is underpinned by LFAM’s ability to rapidly recover funds under management to pre-COVID-19 levels and position the fund for future growth, whilst maintaining investment performance and preserving investor capital and redemption liquidity.”

The full report is available from www.australiaratings.com. Find out more about Australia Ratings’ Operational Capability Assessments by visiting www.australiaratings.com.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Natasha Hall, Director
natasha.hall@australiaratings.com 03 8080 6684

Melbourne, 1 December 2020 – MaxCap First Mortgage Construction Fund rated SUPERIOR. 

Australia Ratings Analytics (Australia Ratings) has conducted a review and has assigned an investment rating of ‘SUPERIOR’ to the MaxCap First Mortgage Construction Fund (MFMC, the Fund). A Product Complexity Indicator of ‘YELLOW’ has also been assigned to designate the view that the Fund is a COMPLEX financial product, indicating that the underlying assets require specialist investment skills to acquire and to monitor. In addition, investment in this Fund is effectively Illiquid and investors should have a good understanding of the term and characteristics of the distributions from this type of fund. This Fund is available to wholesale investors only.

A rating of SUPERIOR is the highest rating on the investment rating scale used by Australia Ratings. This rating indicates the highest level of confidence that the fund can deliver a risk adjusted return in line with the investment objectives of the fund.

Australia Ratings’ analyst, Maggie Callinan, says “the rating reflects the consistent performance and track record of the Fund, especially throughout the COVID crisis”. She added “we believe the Fund is very well placed to provide CRE debt exposure for long-term investors”.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Maggie Callinan, Director
maggie.callinan@australiaratings.com 03 8080 6684

Melbourne, 30 November 2020 – Core Infrastructure Fund rated VERY STRONG

Australia Ratings Analytics (Australia Ratings) has confirmed the investment rating of ‘VERY STRONG’ for the Core Infrastructure Fund (CIF, the Fund). The Fund’s initial rating was issued in 2019. A Product Complexity Indicator of ‘YELLOW’ has also been unchanged to designate the view that the Fund is a COMPLEX financial product, indicating that the underlying assets require specialist investment skills to acquire and to monitor. In addition, investment in this Fund is Illiquid and investors should have a good understanding of the terms and characteristics of the distributions from this type of fund. This Fund is available to wholesale investors only.

The Fund’s high allocation to the airport sector has been the main reason behind its flat performance over the last year. Australia Ratings’ analyst, Dragana Timotijevic, says “given the quality of the Fund’s assets and the current depressed valuation of airports, the Fund remains in a strong position to deliver uncorrelated returns to equity markets while meeting its objective over the long term”.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: 
Dragana Timotijevic, Director
dragana.timotijevic@australiaratings.com 03 8080 6684

Melbourne, 23 November 2020 – Blackmore Capital Blended Australian Equities Fund rated STRONG

Australia Ratings Analytics (Australia Ratings) has assigned an investment rating of ‘STRONG’ to the Blackmore Capital Blended Australian Equities Fund (the Fund). A Product Complexity Indicator of ‘GREEN’ has also been assigned to designate the view that the Fund is a SIMPLE financial product, indicating that the performance is expected to move very closely in line with the corresponding market sector. This Fund is available to both retail and wholesale investors.

Australia Ratings’ analyst, Dragana Timotijevic, says “overall, we view the investment strategy as sound and aligned with the Manager’s objectives, resources, and competencies”. She added, “the rating also indicates the high level of confidence Australia Ratings has that the Fund will continue to deliver a strong risk-adjusted return”.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: 
Dragana Timotijevic, Director
dragana.timotijevic@australiaratings.com 03 8080 6684

17 November 2020 – Trilogy Funds (TEIF and TMIT) upgraded to VERY STRONG

Australia Ratings Analytics (Australia Ratings) has reviewed two funds managed by Trilogy Funds Management Ltd (Manager), the Trilogy Enhanced Income Fund (TEIF) and the Trilogy Monthly Income Trust (TMIT) (together, the Funds). Following the review, both Funds have been upgraded to VERY STRONG. A VERY STRONG rating is the second highest rating in Australia Ratings’ scale and is used to indicate a very strong level of confidence that the Funds can deliver a risk-adjusted return in line with their investment objectives. The funds were assigned Product Complexity Indicators of BLUE for TEIF, and YELLOW for TMIT. 

Australia Ratings’ analyst, Maggie Callinan, says “the upgraded ratings reflect the consistent performance throughout the COVID crisis, and both the diversification and the high degree of management oversight of the portfolio”. She added, “the ratings also indicate the high level of confidence Australia Ratings has that the Funds will continue to deliver a strong risk-adjusted return”.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Maggie Callinan, Director 
maggie.callinan@australiaratings.com 03 8080 6684

11 November 2020 – Australian Unity Bonds AFFIRMED BBB+ Rating

Australia Ratings Analytics (Australia Ratings) has reviewed the Australian Unity Bonds, AYUHC and AYUHD (the Bonds), and has affirmed the rating for both as BBB+, with a Product Complexity Rating of GREEN.

Australia Ratings’ analyst, Chris Cudsi, says “the rating reflects the conservative capital buffers maintained by Australian Unity, as well as the issuer’s increasingly diverse business profile”. He added, “the rating will come under pressure if profitability or gearing metrics deteriorate from levels reported in the 2020 financial year”.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Chris Cudsi, Director 
chris.cudsi@australiaratings.com 03 8080 6684

Melbourne, 06 August 2020 – Labassa Capital Australian Real Estate Credit Fund – Rating Withdrawn.

Australia Ratings Analytics (Australia Ratings) has withdrawn its investment rating of the Labassa Capital Australian Real Estate Credit Fund (the Fund). The manager, Labassa Capital, has undertaken a corporate restructure. As a consequence, units in the Fund were compulsorily redeemed in May 2020 by Labassa Capital.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Maggie Callinan, Director 
maggie.callinan@australiaratings.com 03 8080 6684

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