Register For Our Mailing List

Register to receive our free weekly newsletter including editorials.

Home / 354

Bear markets are good for portfolio makeovers, not only bargains

Notching up record after record, financial markets are continuing to deliver unpleasant reminders of just how unprecedented the global pandemic crisis is. One recent record is the speed of the S&P/ASX 200 Index’s sudden slide to bear market status (defined as a 20% decline in pre-tax value from peak to trough). This slide took a mere 14 days in March, the quickest in the index’s history, easily eclipsing the next worst market slide of 55 days which signalled the onset of the GFC.

Source: Bloomberg, Parametric 31 March 2020. For illustrative purposes only. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

Portfolio management in a crisis

A sophisticated approach to managing equities through this crisis period, as any large super fund will tell you, focuses on two things: first, avoid being a forced seller, and second, be well-positioned to take advantage of buying opportunities (which have been hard to find in recent years).

Despite fearmongering about the liquidity of large super funds in these extraordinary times, my conversations with super fund clients have been focused on the latter—tactical buying opportunities—not the risk of a debilitating run on funds and becoming a forced seller of equities. This suggests that, at least for these funds, liquidity is being well managed and will not be an issue.

Beyond the bargain-hunting opportunities for super funds (and other investors), there is a bigger opportunity available when bear markets hit—to give the whole equity portfolio itself a structural ‘makeover’.

As funds become larger and more sophisticated, they look to migrate their equity holdings from pooled investment funds housed in a legal trust structure (for example, ETFs and unlisted managed funds) across to separately managed accounts (discrete mandates) which give super funds direct ownership of the equities in their portfolios.

Pooled investment funds have their place as they are easy to use, ‘off-the-shelf’ ways to invest in equities. They shield the investor from much of the complexity and compliance burden of equity investing, which are instead borne by the product provider or pooled fund manager. But trends in the APRA-regulated super fund sector suggest funds are favouring more transparency, tax efficiency and customisation in equity investing.

The package of benefits that can be delivered in a separate account equity investment structure (with the right managers) but not through pooled funds includes:

  • specific ethical screens and values-driven investing
  • centralised portfolio management (CPM)
  • innovative fee structuring
  • tactical portfolio ‘tilting’
  • efficient transition management
  • after-tax investing
  • better assessment and management of portfolio risks, and
  • custom stakeholder reporting.

The window to restructuring a portfolio

Ironically, the strong returns on equities over the past decade (Australian, developed and emerging markets) have created a problem for super funds wanting to restructure their equity holdings—the capital gains tax liability they would incur in redeeming their investments from a pooled equity fund to seed a new separate account.

This kind of restructure can be done tax-free under US law, but not under Australian law, so beware literature from the US, which misleads Australian investors on this issue.

Consider a super fund wanting to transfer its $500 million equity portfolio from equity unit trust holdings into a separate account. The units have appreciated 25% since their acquisition, and 90% of the units are long-term holdings, with the remainder acquired in the past year. In isolation (and without tax-managing the transition), the fund faces a $10.5 million tax bill to restructure, or over 2% of portfolio value. While the restructure would deliver many benefits, the up-front tax bill is hard to swallow and a reason to delay the move and persist with what the fund believes is a sub-optimal structure.

Which brings us to the bear market conditions suddenly upon us. For super funds and others encumbered with ‘legacy’ investment structures and their embedded tax, now is an important window of opportunity for much more than just bargain-hunting—to re-cut the numbers to see just how much lower the tax cost of a move to their desired ‘future state’ for equity investing would be.

It is far more likely right now that the tax cost of a ‘portfolio makeover’ to move equities to a separate account structure would be immaterial or easily outweighed by the benefits. In our example above, the fund might even find that the current market value of its units in the equity trust has dipped below the original $400 million acquisition cost, which would actually deliver a windfall tax benefit if the fund seized the opportunity to restructure now.

While this ‘portfolio makeover’ opportunity represents a rare piece of good news for those navigating current market conditions, the cautionary lesson for super funds given the ASX bear market’s sudden, dramatic arrival is this: that predicting the market turnaround and speed and shape of the recovery (V-shape; U-shape; Nike ‘swoosh’?) will be fraught with difficulty.

The opportunity to not just find equity bargains, but migrate to a best-of-breed equity investment structure, is one to seize now, in case it vanishes just as fast.

 

Raewyn Williams is Managing Director of Research at Parametric Australia, a US-based investment adviser. This material is for general information only and does not consider the circumstances of any investor. Additional information is available at parametricportfolio.com.au.

 

4 Comments
David
April 23, 2020

I am a self funded retiree and I believe an intelligent individual. I understand the context of the article although I have had difficulty understanding a large amount of the terminology. As an example, "separate account equity investment structure", of the eight points I could relate (understand) two. The article has a number of similar statements. In my opinion the article could have been conveyed in much simpler terms.

Graham Hand
April 25, 2020

Hi David

We prefer to avoid articles which are too long, as readers are usually busy people. It is not always possible to explain concepts and terminology and some articles assume a level of knowledge. We have published over 3,000 articles and do not always repeat some earlier explanations.

For example, 'separately managed accounts' or similar have been covered a few times, such as:

https://www.firstlinks.com.au/top-three-ways-sma-helps-optimise-tax

https://www.firstlinks.com.au/four-drivers-growth-managed-accounts

https://www.firstlinks.com.au/5-flexible-features-managed-accounts

Raewyn has also provided other articles, as you can see by looking her up under 'Contributors'.

Jack
April 22, 2020

I agree this is a time for a clear out, but with my personal portfolio, what is especially disappointing is that many LICs which have been hopeless for years are now at even worse discounts.

Simon
April 24, 2020

If LICs were forced to offer a buyback at NTA say annually, there would be no discounts for very long. Unfortunately, it's like trying to squeeze blood out of a stone to get them to do that kind of shareholder friendly action.

 

Leave a Comment:

RELATED ARTICLES

The ASX's 16-year drought: a rebuttal

How likely are market crashes?

Is more trouble coming for the 60/40 portfolio?

banner

Most viewed in recent weeks

16 ASX stocks to buy and hold forever, updated

This time last year, I highlighted 16 ASX stocks that investors could own indefinitely. One year on, I look at whether there should be any changes to the list of stocks as well as which companies are worth buying now. 

2025-26 super thresholds – key changes and implications

The ABS recently released figures which are used to determine key superannuation rates and thresholds that will apply from 1 July 2025. This outlines the rates and thresholds that are changing and those that aren’t.  

Is Gen X ready for retirement?

With the arrival of the new year, the first members of ‘Generation X’ turned 60, marking the start of the MTV generation’s collective journey towards retirement. Are Gen Xers and our retirement system ready for the transition?

Why the $5.4 trillion wealth transfer is a generational tragedy

The intergenerational wealth transfer, largely driven by a housing boom, exacerbates economic inequality, stifles productivity, and impedes social mobility. Solutions lie in addressing the housing problem, not taxing wealth.

What Warren Buffett isn’t saying speaks volumes

Warren Buffett's annual shareholder letter has been fixture for avid investors for decades. In his latest letter, Buffett is reticent on many key topics, but his actions rather than words are sending clear signals to investors.

The 2025 Australian Federal election – implications for investors

With an election due by 17 May, we are effectively in campaign mode with the Government announcing numerous spending promises since January and the Coalition often matching them. Here's what the election means for investors.

Latest Updates

World's largest asset manager wants to revolutionise your portfolio

Larry Fink is one of the smartest people in the finance industry. In his latest shareholder letter, the Blackrock CEO outlines his quest to become the biggest player in private assets and upend investor portfolios.

Economy

Australia's economic report card heading into the polls

Our economy grew by a nominal rate of 7% per annum from 2017 to 2024, but it benefited from the largesse of fiscal and monetary policies, both of which are now fading. We need a new, credible economic growth agenda.

Preference votes matter

If the recent polls are anything to go by, we are headed for a hung parliament at the upcoming federal election. So more than ever, Australians need to give serious consideration to their preference votes.

SMSF strategies

Meg on SMSFs: Tips for the last member standing

It’s common for people as they age to seek more help in running their SMSF if their capacity declines. An alternate director may be a great solution for someone just planning for short-term help in the meantime.

Wilson Asset Management on markets and its new income fund

In this interview, Matthew Haupt from Wilson Asset Management discusses his outloook for the ASX, sectors such as REITs that he likes, and his firm's launch of a new income-oriented listed investment company.  

Planning

‘Life expectancy’ – and why I don’t like the expression

Life expectancy isn't just a number - it's a concept that changes with survival rates over time. This article breaks down how age, survival, and societal factors shape our understanding of life expectancy, especially post-Covid. 

The shine is back on gold, and gold miners

Gold mining stocks outperformed in 2024 and are expected to do well in 2025. At this point in the rally, it's worth considering what has driven gold prices higher and why miners could still have some catching up to do.

Sponsors

Alliances

© 2025 Morningstar, Inc. All rights reserved.

Disclaimer
The data, research and opinions provided here are for information purposes; are not an offer to buy or sell a security; and are not warranted to be correct, complete or accurate. Morningstar, its affiliates, and third-party content providers are not responsible for any investment decisions, damages or losses resulting from, or related to, the data and analyses or their use. To the extent any content is general advice, it has been prepared for clients of Morningstar Australasia Pty Ltd (ABN: 95 090 665 544, AFSL: 240892), without reference to your financial objectives, situation or needs. For more information refer to our Financial Services Guide. You should consider the advice in light of these matters and if applicable, the relevant Product Disclosure Statement before making any decision to invest. Past performance does not necessarily indicate a financial product’s future performance. To obtain advice tailored to your situation, contact a professional financial adviser. Articles are current as at date of publication.
This website contains information and opinions provided by third parties. Inclusion of this information does not necessarily represent Morningstar’s positions, strategies or opinions and should not be considered an endorsement by Morningstar.