MARKET UPDATE JANUARY 2016

JCB Active Fund is up 7.20 % (gross) over 14 months since inception in December 2014, running a portfolio of long only AAA and AA+ rated Government Bonds.

Markets in 2016 have caught everyone by surprise with vicious negative sentiment and volatility. Energy markets and Chinese currency depreciation are often blamed, but I think we can add the strength of the US dollar to the list of causes. JCB has written at length over the last 6 months about the US Federal Reserve attempting to hike rates and the flow on effects that a series of hikes would unleash. We suggested that the Fed wouldn’t get very far before markets would suffer and force them to firstly pause on any further rate hikes, and then ultimately reverse course. That will be good news for equity markets when it comes, but unfortunately we are not there yet. Did we all see this movie before? This is exactly what happened to the European Central Bank in 2011 when they hiked rates. Similar to the Fed move in Dec ’15, the market initially took the ECB at its word that the economy would improve, and made room in bond markets for further hikes, before it became clearly evident that the hike was a policy error which would require reversal inside a fragile economy. US data has decayed considerably over January after last year’s rate hike, with manufacturing sector entering recession. US dollar strength, the equity sell off and widening of credit spreads (the cost of corporate borrowing) together imply financial conditions have tightened substantially. Deutsche Bank has an augmented Fed recession model which now predicts a 46 percent chance of a US recession in next 12 months. This elevated reading is consistent with the recent increase in cumulative deflation probability implied by options markets.

The US Federal Reserve statement in January removed the word ‘balanced’ when discussing the outlook for risks. This is either a slight oversight (unlikely) or something we should all be discussing at length - let’s hope it is an oversight for all our sakes. There has only been one other time they could not offer a ‘balance’ of risks and that was in the meeting of 18th March 2003, the day before President Bush declared war on Iraq, sending 250,000 soldiers into the Middle East. Every other statement in the last 15 years has held a ’balance of risks.’ Is the Fed saying the current environment is as uncertain as the 24 hours before America walked into a major war? Even in September 2008, when the Fed had a FOMC meeting two days after Lehman failed and Secretary of the Treasury Geithner had to miss the meeting because he was busy arranging a bailout of AIG, the Fed was able to offer a ‘balance of risks.’ But again, they could not offer this in January! Did the Fed just say that looking forward risk is a one sided trade? We wrote about our views of asymmetry in asset markets in 2016 last month but we didn’t expect the Fed to openly acknowledge these risks in such a way. Central Bankers are always glass half full – they have to be to build confidence. We will follow these developments with great interest on February 10th when Chair Janet Yellen speaks publicly for the first time since the January meeting and statement.

The Bank of Japan joined the negative interest rate experiment on the last day of January in a surprise to markets. They now sit alongside the European Central Bank, Switzerland, Sweden and Denmark in forcing official interest rates into negative territory to drive currency depreciation and force investors into risky assets and stimulate inflation. We live in truly amazing times when much of the developed world now openly accepts negative interest rates.

Japan is a fascinating case study for developed financial markets. This move is the latest attempt to reflate and stimulate the economy which peaked 25 years ago on a wave of credit creation. Today’s global love affair with credit started in Japan in the 1980’s. In very simplistic terms once the Japanese boom turned to bust, that credit bubble moved into South East Asia culminating in the Asian financial and Russian crisis in 1990’s, then moved to North Atlantic to manifest in US subprime. Has that credit boom/bust cycle moved onto China? That is all beyond the scope of this update but we are happy to discuss this in longer format if any readers wish to explore it further, as the implication for Australia would be profound.

Today the Nikkei remains 54% below its all-time high. Imagine the ASX at 3100 in the year 2032? Japan is a shocking example that a credit boom to bust, combined with bad policy errors and poor demographics can have a generational impact on asset returns. That is worth considering as Australia’s markets continue to transition away from a significant period of boom and we have a minority senate blocking real economic reform. This stimulus of negative rates in Japan is welcome by global markets in the short run, lifting all assets classes in unison. It also strengthens the case for an RBA rate cut later in 2016 and makes Australian Bonds cheaper on a global relative value basis.

After a fascinating and fast forward start to 2016 we will continue to monitor the evolution of US Fed policy, Chinese foreign exchange policy, energy markets and their effect on inflation (or deflation) expectations, the Eurozone migration crisis, the Greek debt crisis (Act IV in the Greek financial tragedy) and the continued rise of Donald Trump versus the decline of power hungry (but oil dependant) leaders such as Putin and co. We will also watch China’s Jinping try to manage a soft landing through transition. RBA policy all seems a somewhat bland verses that list but all of the above will lead markets soon enough.

FUND HIGHLIGHTS & POSITIONING

Jamieson Coote Bonds Active Fund gained 1.39% in January, under performing the market by 0.06%. The funds unit priced dropped by 1.05% after paying a semiannual distribution of 1% of Net Asset Value at 31st Dec 2015.

In keeping with our core capital preservation objective we positioned the portfolio cautiously over the Christmas and New Year period, lowering fund duration and setting up for maximum roll and carry over the holiday break. The speed of the bond market rally caught us (and market) on the back foot and we returned to work early, adding risk to capture the market volatility. Over the month the fund held an average duration position of 4.21 years which should have resulted in material underperformance, given the benchmark’s larger weighting at 5.80 years duration, but volatility provided some excellent opportunities to adjust duration over the month. The fund has some flattening exposure, as the lower for longer thematic continues in the face of lower energy prices, however we will look to add some steepening exposure in time if valuations improve (curve flattens), as we expect the RBA will be forced to reconsider their ‘’chill out’’ manta into a strengthening AUD currency on a trade weighted basis.

MARKET UPDATE FEBRUARY 2016

JCB Active Fund is up 8.54 % (gross) over 15 months since inception in December 2014, running a portfolio of long only AAA and AA+ rated Government Bonds.

NEGATIVE RATES SEE AUD SET TO RALLY, BANK FUNDING TO CAUSE OUT OF CYCLE RATE HIKES, RBA FORCED TO ACT

Europe, Japan, Switzerland, Sweden and Denmark are all very real and developed places. They also all have negative interest rates. This trend is both powerful and global. This is not happening in Timbuktu, this is happening in Paris, Tokyo, Zurich and Stockholm. Negative interest rates are Central Bankers new tool in fighting anaemic growth and low inflation. You should not dismiss them. They have vast consequences for market valuations and discount rate assumptions. Those who dismissed Quantitative Easing (QE) 10 years ago failed to grasp the huge implications QE would have on markets and financial asset returns to their peril.

Under negative interest rates, domestic banks are charged by their Central Banks to keep funds on deposit. The idea is to penalise banks for holding cash which could be lent into the economy to encourage investment and consumption. This results in much of these domestic bond markets trading at negative yields, depending on the bonds maturity. Investors in these regions are now forced to accept negative returns on their bond portfolios or find alternate sources of yield. Australia stands out like a shining light. AAA rated, a $700bln deep and liquid government bond market, Westminster legal system, and most importantly a Central Bank with ammunition to continue to cut rates. Here is where this becomes self-reinforcing. As international buyers purchase Australian Bonds, they need to buy AUD currency to settle the trades. This is part of the reason the AUD climbed so high after the GFC. Not only were investors importing capital to fund mining capex, but they were also buying Australia’s newly minted budget deficits at around $50 billion a year, which required purchasing AUD to settle the transactions.

This new development coincides with skyrocketing bank funding costs. Around 30% of bank funding is sourced in international markets, where spreads have widened significantly as credit markets continue to suffer, resulting in higher borrowing costs for the banks. Do you expect the bank to absorb these higher costs? The 3rd certainty of life, after death and taxes, is that banks will pass these costs onto customers to maintain margins (also be wary of highly complex bank products promising great things, think CDO’s – classic end of cycle trick). Westpac already raised business loan rates last week and we would expect mortgage books will be next for out of cycle rate hikes.

This tightening in financial conditions, along with a higher AUD, will be unwelcome with the RBA, who will be forced to cut rates in response. A rate cut will attempt to help Mum’s and Dad’s from higher mortgage rates at a time when the economy is quite fragile, although banks

will not pass this cut through in full, rather restoring their net interest margins. A rate cut also removes the yield from Australian Government Bonds (resulting in significantly higher bond prices in the process), thereby reducing the pressure on the AUD currency, allowing the economy to rebalance and resort better conditions for future growth.

Turning quickly to international events the rise of Donald Trump looks look to be gaining momentum. Markets hate uncertainty and in Trump they will get plenty. One of his first orders of business is to fire Janet Yellen as FOMC Chair. Combine this with Trump’s finger on the nuclear trigger and we could be in for quite a volatile ride!

JCB also believe the European migration crisis can be the theme of the year for markets. Desperate people will be forced out of Syria via Turkey and into Greece at a time when Greece is again running out of money and incapable of processing them in a secure manner. We unfortunately expect more flash points of terror and violence like Paris, Cologne and Calais when the weather improves and more people attempt the journey. This can divide the European left and right and strain the Eurozone project considerably. It will also have a large impact on the BREXIT referendum of June 23rd

MARKET UPDATE MARCH 2016

JCB Active Fund is up 8.18 % (gross) over 16 months since inception in December 2014, running a portfolio of long only AAA and AA+ rated Government Bonds.

CENTRAL BLACK MAGIC, POLICY DRIVEN MARKETS DON’T CARE ABOUT FUNDAMENTALS, BAD AND DOUBTFUL DEBTS

A few waves of the dovish wand from Ms Yellen and some increasingly negative interest rates in Europe and just like that markets are saved again. It is hard to deny the power of Central Bankers acting collectively. We are without doubt in a POLICY driven environment that can trump fundamentals in the short term.

Over much of 2015 we wrote about the need for a weaker USD and why Yellen would ultimately roll over and be supportive of markets, both fixed income bonds and equities. (Available on JCB website under ‘’Historical monthly markets and fund updates’’) The March FOMC press conference was extremely dovish, well beyond market expectations. Concerns over emerging markets and Chinese growth dominated and have global central bankers remaining on high alert.

As much as these favourable policy developments are healthy for risk markets, they are unhealthy for Australia via the immense pressure they place on the AUD currency. A weakening USD via Ms Yellen only adds more fuel to the currency fire. We believe the AUD will continue to rally until the RBA resume cutting interest rates (as early as May – although this may not halt its ascent much but will help slow things down). Structural demand for AUD assets remains from international investors who remains buyers of AUD to settle Australian bond purchases. Think about these global interest rate levels. Switzerland -0.75%, Sweden -0.50%, Europe -0.40%, Japan -0.10%, USA 0.375%, Canada 0.50%, UK 0.50% and Australia 2.00%. These rate differentials were the topic of last month’s update and outlook and until the RBA significantly cut rates this will continue.

Increased provisioning of Bad and Doubtful Debts in March saw much of the euphoric rally in Australian Bank equities powerfully reverse. One sell side analyst noted that bad and doubtful debt provisioning is like cockroaches, they are rarely found in isolation. Credit cycles are slow moving beasts and a turn negative in Australia is cause for real concern, given the heavily indebted nature of Australian consumers and bank loan book exposures. If we follow the international playbook here we would expect significant interest rate cuts which would be highly supportive for bond markets.

We are saddened to write about terror this month after events in Brussels after forecasting it in these pages last month. This will keep happening, the European migration crisis can still become the theme of the year as associated terrorist actions polarises opinion around the morality of accepting despite people in need. The flow of human traffic out of Syria via Turkey and into Greece comes at a time when Greece is again running out of money and incapable of processing them in a secure manner. We will have more flash points in coming months and it will dominate the European left and right and strain the Eurozone project considerably. It will also have a large impact on the BREXIT referendum of June 23rd and the US presidential election.

MARKET UPDATE APRIL 2016

JCB Active Fund is up 8.55 % (gross) over 17 months since inception in December 2014, running a portfolio of long only AAA and AA+ rated explicitly guaranteed Government Bonds.

SPECIAL RBA UPDATE - EXPECT FURTHER RATE CUTS ON WEAK INFLATION, $AUD RALLY IS OVER

Australia’s financial future changed significantly with the onset of deflation in April. The quarter on quarter print of -0.2% and year on year just 1.3% were shockingly low. The speed of decay in the inflation data forces the RBA’s hand to meet its inflation mandate of 2-3%. A failure to address this deflationary episode runs the risk of needing to cut rates much further and faster at a later date, hence our conviction the RBA will act in May and again soon after (probably August), as 50 bps rate cut (delivered in 2 x 25bps) is the path of least regret. We believe the RBA will cut to 1.50% before pausing to access the impact on inflation. This is consistent with our thinking on Australian interest rates for some time and will come as no surprise to anyone who has followed our fund.

JCB has written extensively about negative rates and their impact on driving the AUD currency higher via international bond investors coming to buy AUD assets. This currency rally from late January caught many investors off side. After the CPI data the topside of an AUD rally is now entirely negated. We expect the AUD to resume its bear trend towards 0.7260 (200 day moving average) and possibly beyond towards 0.70 cents as the RBA is forced to cut rates.

FX markets traded around 0.77 ahead of May RBA meeting. Market expectations were 50/50 on a rate cut of 25 bps, with expected pricing for RBA cash rates over the year (RBA Run ahead of May meeting: May 1.87 Jun 1.815 Jul 1.785 Aug 1.71 Sep 1.70 Oct 1.69 Nov 1.66 Dec 1.65). This suggests that FX had already priced in ~1.4 rate cuts by Dec year end, given their expectation of RBA cash at 1.65% being one full cut to 1.75% and 40% of a further 25 bps cut being another 0.10% to 1.65%. This means that in an efficient FX market, the RBA will be required to cut TWICE or more in 2016 to move the currency lower than current pricing of 0.77.

Over April risk markets continued to enjoy the policy support of central bankers. Further expectations for US Federal Reserve rate hikes remain muted, with the only a possible hike being in December (58% probability) after the Presidential elections. JCB commented over 2015 about the FOMC and how media expectations of 6 to 8 rate hikes would not materialise. Markets continue to re rate their FOMC expectations, whilst we are not forecasting material or multiple further rate hikes in the US, another small uptick of 0.25 bps is possible in the next 12 months.

Should investors ‘’Sell in May, buy bonds and go away’’? Whilst we have concerns about macro events coming up, well diversified portfolios will continue to perform in all scenarios. If you don’t have a balance of growth, income, defensives and liquidity then you could be in for a bumpy ride. Northern hemisphere summer trading periods have produced significant volatility lately, and there is plenty to worry about and monitor again this year.

Corporate earnings viewed via EBITDA continue to broadly decline, with many companies reporting that whilst beating low earnings expectations, period over period results have decayed leaving valuations stretched. However, as we noted in our last monthly, in periods of high policy intervention, episodes such as high valuations can go on for some time as policy trumps fundamentals.

Speaking of Trump, who could have thought that not only would Donald Trump win the Republican nomination, but also be a viable President as polling in a Clinton vs Trump contest now suggests. We note that whilst almost universally disliked by Australian’s (including ourselves) Trump is trending and evolving as a candidate. The speed of his transformation bares monitoring as markets and investors need to consider what that might look like come the November election. Gone is the yelling and the abuse, replaced by all-inclusive statements across minorities. Americans love re hab and re birth, can Trump be emerge as a front runner?

We will also continue to monitor act IV in the Greek financial tragedy, as the Greek Government is again running out of money and wants its bailout loans extended from its EU saviours, who are currently unwilling. We also must watch the European migration crisis (most migrants arrive in Europe via Greece who is broke) and the evolution of BREXIT debate (Britain voting to leave the EU) and possible market contagion.

Jamieson Coote Bonds Active Fund has performed at a monthly run rate of +53 bps (gross) since inception for a return of 8.55% (gross) running a portfolio of AAA and AA rated Government Bonds. The largest draw down in any month has been -62bps.

MARKET UPDATE MAY 2016

JCB ACTIVE FUND IS UP 9.83% (GROSS) OVER 18 MONTHS SINCE INCEPTION IN DECEMBER 2014, RUNNING A PORTFOLIO OF LONG ONLY AAA AND AA+ RATED, EXPLICITLY GUARANTEED GOVERNMENT BONDS.

RBA CUTS WITH MORE TO COME, FOMC SPINS 180 DEGREES PLAYING CHICKEN WITH MARKETS, RISK LURED IN LOW VOLATILITY FATAL ATTRACTION?

The RBA cut rates in May and will deliver another 25 bps cut by August, taking the cash rate to 1.50%. This has been JCB core thesis for some time, however, we would caution investors about getting overly excited about further rate cuts given the data at hand. Many market commentators who did not forecast these moves are now calling for 1.00% RBA rates by year end. This looks excessive in our opinion. Whilst RBA Governor Stevens stridently defended inflation targeting this month, calling it the ‘’best policy framework we’ve ever had,’’ a period of pause and access is warranted from the RBA after providing the economy with additional stimulus via lower rates and currency.

The AUD closed over 5% lower vs USD over the month and looks set to test the 70 cent level in coming weeks. We had expected more support in the currency around the 200 day moving average of 72.50 area, however, weaker domestic data during the month of May has kept pressure on the currency. Employment remains tepid at best (having lost more than 50,000 full time jobs in 2016 whilst creating more part time work), CAPEX data remains weak at -5.2% and company operating profits declined at -4.7%.

The release of April’s FOMC minutes in late May has recalibrated rate hiking expectations in the United States. After being as dovish (supportive of low interest rates) as possible in March, this move to hawkish commentary (supportive of higher rates) is a huge turn in a short time. The FOMC need to be careful treating the market in this way, as they risk a loss of credibility in changing the messaging so deliberately to drive market outcomes (clearly the dovish Yellen press conference of March was to lower the USD and ease financial conditions). We remain of the view that additional rate hikes in the US will be extremely gradual. The FOMC will pass in June (meeting date 15th) as macro markets have significant event risk later in the month with Bank of Japan meeting on the 16th, BREXIT 23rd, ECB TLTRO allotments 24th and Spanish general elections 26th. July is a possible month to hike, however, markets are only currently priced 50/50 at this stage with near term expectation’s being driven by a clear passage of the above global macro market risks. Markets traditionally get volatile in Northern summer trading, hence clearing this list without some hiccups seems unlikely to us.

We wrote in our April monthly that ‘’well diversified portfolios will continue to perform in all scenarios. If you don’t have a balance of growth, income, defensives and liquidity then you could be in for a bumpy ride.’’ So far there have been very few bumps along the road. As financial market volatility drops, risk levels are increased and times are good. The main narrative for the risk market bulls has remained that declining market breadth, deteriorating high yield debt and lower oil prices would not matter (noted these 3 measures have all improved over the last few months), and the bull market will rage on driven by extraordinary Central Bank policy intervention. This may very well be the case, however, the problem as we see it is the lack of corporate earnings. According to FactSet 72% of S&P 500 companies reporting so far have issued negative guidance for Q2 on top of declining earnings for Q1, and yet US equities remain very close to recent highs. Well played Ms Yellen, you certainly have the market snookered for now. However, without a base in US earnings, markets will remain susceptible to bouts of volatility. Either earnings improve to justify valuations or the attraction of performance in lower volatility could prove fatal when the winds change. But it may not. Investing in a policy driven environment is very difficult as policy can trump fundamentals for long periods. Is it better to risk the loss of opportunity or the loss of capital? As conservatives investors we have strong views on this question.

Jamieson Coote Bonds Active Fund has performed at a monthly run rate of +54.6 bps (gross) since inception for a return of 9.83% (gross) running a portfolio of AAA and AA rated Government Bonds. The largest draw down in any month has been -62bps.

MARKET UPDATE JUNE 2016

JCB Active Fund is up 11.13 % (gross) over 19 months since inception in December 2014, running a portfolio of long only AAA and AA+ rated explicitly guaranteed Government Bonds.

REMAIN ON HIGH ALERT, KEEP CALM & CARRY ON, CRISIS MANAGEMENT IN POLITICAL VACUUM

History does not repeat, but it can often rhyme. At the time of writing 6 retail UK property funds with $18 billion of assets have been frozen to investors sighting ‘’exceptional illiquidity.’’ These fund providers are all household names in the UK. Standard Life, Aviva, Aberdeen Asset Management, Henderson, Threadneedle and Canada Life now have products seized shut by market liquidity vanishing just like that.

In 2008, Bear Sterns froze two subprime funds (Bear Sterns ultimately failed) in what is often described as the prelude to the GFC, sparking contagion fears around all markets. The 2nd and 3rd round implications from BREXIT continue to playout and it is too early to know if this will morph further towards a full blown crisis,or be contained and perhaps another buying opportunity for quality assets. We believe more patience is required with this scare then previous market wobbles in August 2015 and Jan 2016.

As it stands today, the UK remains leaderless in all 3 major political parties. It is the first sovereign ever to be double downgraded from AAA to AA (usually go to AA+ first), and its GBP currency has suffered a peak to trough depreciation of 15% so far. Spare a thought for any businesses with USD debts but GBP revenues. Two weeks on from the vote we are no closer to understanding how BREXIT will work, what timeframes are required or who will lead the complex negotiations with Brussels. This situation requires heightened monitoring and will continue to dominate investor sentiment.

Unfortunately BREXIT has let the volatility genie out of the bottle. The ripples of such large moves in GBP currency markets will not remain contained. Central banks have used policy to fight poor fundamentals and dampen volatility since the GFC, however, this is different. After the one off shock of BREXIT we are now left with a number of continuing unknowns which cannot be easily dampened. In our last two monthly’s updates we have advised investors that ‘’we have concerns about macro events coming up, but well diversified portfolios will continue to perform in all scenarios. If you don’t have a balance of growth, income, defensives and liquidity then you could be in for a bumpy ride.’’ The bumps maybe just beginning. Good planning and process and asset allocation will be critical to holding investors in good stead.

Crisis management follows an obvious playbook. The better prepared and cooler the head, the better the financial outcomes. Keep calm and carry on trading perhaps? Volatility produces wonderful opportunities to both buy and sell assets, but investors must have a plan and stick to the script as these opportunities present themselves. Today’s bid can be tomorrows offer very quickly and vice versa. High quality assets may be dragged cheap making for good buying, low quality will be dragged down and may not recover. Liquidity management remains paramount, leverage, margin loans or high debt burdens need careful consideration as margin requirements can be increased or loans called at short notice.

In the aftermath of the BREXIT vote Jamieson Coote Bonds hosted a brief 30 minute conference call for investors to utilise the collective financial experience of the founders and advisory board members Saul Eslake and Mark Burgess, to discuss the opportunities and risks presented by such a shock vote. A recording of the call is still available on 1800 154 669, please use passcode 2386 78009.

Jamieson Coote Bonds Active Fund has performed at a monthly run rate of +58 bps (gross) since inception for a return of 11.13% (gross) running a portfolio of AAA and AA rated Government Bonds. The largest draw down in any month has been -62bps.

MARKET UPDATE JULY 2016

JCB Active Fund is a portfolio of long only AAA and AA+ rated explicitly guaranteed Government Bonds. Since inception annualized returns are currently 6.57% net of all fee’s.

• Hope for the best and plan for the worst

• RBA to pause for 2016, resume rate cuts in Q1, 2017

• Trumped – how high can Mexicans pole vault in Rio?

• Paul Chin joins JCB investment team

We did it your honour! Has it really been seven weeks since BREXIT? "What BREXIT"? we hear you say.

Long seasoned markets professionals really worried about BREXIT, ourselves included. Collectively between JCB management and our advisory board we have hundreds of years of markets or corporate experience, having occupied senior roles in large financial institutions and corporations over long time frames. Collectively we really worried and hosted a conference call in the days after, dusting off the crisis playbook. We had a plan to have substantial plans if required. Good investment process would be critical. We hoped for the best but planned for the worst.

To date, all that worry has all been in vein. Vacant political posts in the UK have been filled and BREXIT looks to be a very slow and drawn out process. Unless you own GBP assets (which has hurt) there has been little negative impact for Australian investors. In fact, perversely, it was a great opportunity with many asset classes rallying on immediate Central Bank support for markets.

The incredible resilience of markets this year had caught many by surprise. We have written about policy vs fundamentals previously and how ample liquidity and low interest rates can keep on keeping on, despite the financial building blocks of today's markets being untested over time. It is not growth and prosperity that is driving asset values, but immense central bank support and stimulus. The longer this goes on the more accepted and mainstream it becomes. Intuitively there seems a danger to this complacency. Tepid fundamentals matter in the end but the current global policy mix remains very supportive for all asset markets. Asset quality remains critical and will really matter when we hit the end of the policy super highway. Predicting when that day comes is futile, as it could be many years away. We are dealing with policy that has never been utilised before and learning some of the side effects as we go (middle class distress and growing wealth equality) It has an end point, but for now asset owners remain prosperous.

The RBA delivered as we expected in early August, completing our 50 bps of expected cuts in 2016. We believe a period of pause and assess will see out the year before they are drawn into cutting again an additional 50 bps in 2017 due to currency appreciation and continued weak inflation, remaining below the RBA target range of 2-3%. The RBA still retain an easing bias keeping a November cut a possibility, but the hurdle is high for a further move on current data. Many commentators have vastly re rated RBA cash rate estimations over this 2016 cutting cycle with Morgan Stanley, JP Morgan, Macquarie and NAB all now calling for 1.00% RBA rates into 2017.

Trump. So how high can Mexicans pole vault in Rio? We have written about Trump gaining momentum in a world effected by nationalism (producing BREXIT, Le Pen, Italian northern league, Pauline Hanson etc) This global wave of anti-establishment populism can carry Trump to the White House if he can stay out of his own way. It's been a torrid few weeks with criticism of fallen US Muslim soldier, abusing crying babies and refusing to address Paul Ryan and John McCain, the lifeblood of Republican Party. Markets are not taking Trump seriously at this stage. It is early to write him off but he must avoid Trumping himself. If he learns from these slips and stays tighter lipped, expect a bounce in polling numbers and nervousness from markets.

Finally we are pleased to welcome Paul Chin to the investment team at JCB. Paul joins after a 20 year asset management career with BGI San Fransisco (now Blackrock) and Vanguard in Melbourne. This takes the JCB investment team to 52 years of investment experience, of which 30

years has been in international markets.

JCB is a conservative fund manager, with capital preservation and risk adjusted returns being our core tenants. If we cannot find compelling risk adjusted opportunities to invest your money we will not allocate, preferring benign low duration short dated bonds with little risk. Our models and processes considered the moves around BREXIT to be excessive and as such we sold some longer dated bonds after strong performance, looking to re set when markets cooled. As at July's close that return to "fair" value had not been completed and we have under-performed our index over the month, albeit whilst generating strong absolute returns of 3.20% net of fee's over the last 3 months. Indexes are funny things, having portfolios at maximum risk at all points in the pricing cycle. They represent the opportunity set of a market place. We fundamentally disagree with passive index investment and aim to run the least amount of risk for our returns, a process that has delivered to date with the JCB active fund using only 80% of market index risk to outperform the index since inception. This makes our return profile stronger over time. At the time of writing we have outperformed in August as the market has cooled. We now believe the bond market to be at fair value for current monetary policy settings. We have added some spread risk to the portfolio over July looking to earn additional carry over the quieter European Summer period.

MARKET UPDATE AUGUST 2016

JCB Active Fund is a portfolio of long only AAA and AA+ rated explicitly guaranteed Government Bonds. Since inception annualized returns are currently 7.17% net of all fee’s.

• Marking time before volatility as markets return from the sun-lounger

• FOMC should hike in September but will wait until post US election December

• $AUD like a beach ball under water. Critical levels 0.7390 vs 0.7720

“It ain’t what you don’t know that gets you into trouble. It’s what you know for sure that just ain’t so.” - Mark Twain

After the BREXIT excitement of late June, markets have been very dull over the balance of the Northern Hemisphere summer. Central Banks have had our collective backs, providing more cheap money, whilst major news flow has been light. Financial market volatility has dropped 55% over the last 10 weeks – the largest 10 week decline ever! Northern Hemisphere summer is now over and people are dragging themselves back to work after an extended rest on the sun-loungers. We expect market participation to pick up, challenging the status quo of the tame July and August months. Of late, rhetoric from the Federal Reserve has turned hawkish (sympathy to a rate hike). Financial conditions in the US they are as favourable as we have seen for some time:

- Equity valuations are high;

- the USD currency index currently mid-range on the year;

- corporate credit spreads have tightened;

- bond yields are low; and,

- consumer confidence is high.

If we didn’t consider the implications of a US election in November, we would absolutely argue that the FOMC would hike rates immediately. Ordinarily, however, the FOMC doesn’t move during the presidential cycle and a rate hike would be considered damaging for markets, hurting the Clinton campaign. Yellen is a democrat, and we have seen commentators like Barney Frank add weight to the debate that the FOMC shouldn’t interfere with the election cycle by upsetting the apple cart. We believe that FOMC credibility is at stake, with a possible September hike being a very close call. The market and economic conditions are there to justify a single rate hike – does politics interfere and hope the winds don’t change come December?

A Clinton presidential victory, combined with a split Congress and Senate is NIRVANA for financial asset prices. Nothing can be achieved on the fiscal side in this scenario so the FOMC will be forced to keep rates low and provide significant liquidity over the presidential term, which will boost financial asset prices. This remains the central expectation of markets. We note recent Economist and CNN polls showing Trump and Clinton neck-and-neck. Trump has done everything wrong and the Democrats arguably everything right, and yet the polls are narrowing. That is truly scary. BREXIT has highlighted the dangers of ‘knowing for sure’ that Trump cannot win. We continue to monitor this space very closely into the November elections.

The outcome of the FOMC meeting on September 21st will drive near-term expectations for the AUD currency. Technically the currency is coiling, meaning when the narrowing range is broken, we would expect a substantial follow through. The major levels to watch are 0.7390 (this is trend line support and 200 day moving average) to the down side and 0.7720 to the top side being the trend line in place since April 2013 when AUD was $1.0500. At this stage we still believe the AUD will break higher through 0.7750 area to test 80 cents. Despite strong domestic opinion that the AUD currency remains overvalued, the currency has managed to rally 11% since its January lows, despite two RBA rate cuts, which begs the question where the currency would currently be if RBA hadn’t cut rates this year? We still maintain that AUD bonds are broadly range-bound in the short term, regardless of a single FOMC rate move. We continue to position the portfolio tactically around this opportunity set, and believe the RBA will be forced to cut rates again in early 2017 due to unwanted AUD currency strength.

Fund update

JCB Active Fund returned 44 bps (gross) in August, beating the index by 10 bps. Whilst markets remain calm we have maintained a higher weighting to State Government Bonds and Supra Nationals Bonds, looking to earn additional carry income. Should volatility rise into September, we will review these allocations going forward and may reverse. We maintain an overweight to the long-end (20 year) of the Australian bond curve, hedging with some steepening in shorter dates to balance the curve risk. We would add to this position into any cheapening via a supply concession should the AOFM issue a new 25- year bond in October (as expected).

MARKET UPDATE SEPTEMBER 2016

JCB Active Fund is a portfolio of long only AAA and AA+ rated explicitly guaranteed Government Bonds. Since inception annualized returns are currently 6.60% net of all fee’s.

● Volatility arrives on cue in Sept; Deutsche Bank gives risk a scare

● Negative media count at 16 year highs for bonds, contrarian signal?

● What would total returns look like in a mirror image bond sell off? You should ‘’bear’’ that in mind.

September produced the challenge to status quo in markets we had written about in the August monthly, with increased volatility across all asset classes. Markets continue to grapple with quantitative easing policy and balance sheet expansion and contraction in the central banks of Japan, the US, Europe, and England. To see out the year we also have to contend with the US presidential election, Italian senate referendum - a possible BREXIT moment for Eurozone - and stressed European Banks, led by Deutsche Bank and Commerzbank.

All of these possible event risks would normally drive investors towards the safety and security of Government Bonds, and yet mainstream newspaper or social media feeds tend to be extremely negative towards bonds. In fact, the ‘’hawkish’’ (higher interest rates) count in global media is something that quantitative analyst Neil Tritton (and our London-based Advisory Board member) monitors, peaking at a 16 year high in September. We have seen

headlines such as ‘’short of the century’’ and ‘’end of bond bull market’’ littering media outlets. This is misleading. Bonds may well find a new post BREXIT valuation range, however, to achieve a sustainable sell off would require central banks to materially and consistently lift interest rates. Globally this looks extremely unlikely after rate cuts this year from Australia, Japan, Europe, New Zealand and Canada. The ‘’bears’’ tend to forget that the record asset prices we are all enjoying are a result of low interest rates, but the mirror image would be a brutal deleveraging which happens much faster than a re-leveraging that we have already experienced. It is hard to see how any central bank would be a material interest rate hiker into collapsing financial asset and property prices.

The other major problem for the bond ‘’bears’’ is time. If you are short or underweight bonds, unless the market sells off immediately, you are paying away ‘’carry or coupon’’, ie the interest payments made by the bond’s issuer (in our case, Australian dollar denominated Governments). That carry or coupon is all powerful over time and is the main source of return for this asset class. An August 2016 study by Bank of America/Merrill Lynch looked at bond returns in a bear market that entirely mirrors the rally of the last 30 odd years. A bloodbath you might think, with bond yields getting higher and higher over that time. Assuming an investor stayed invested throughout that period, the returns are incredible. German Government Bonds, starting at a negative observable yield, produce a total return in excess of +350%. US Treasury Government Bonds returned more than 400%. Australian Government Bonds were higher again. That discredits the long-term ‘’bear’’ narrative. This major advantage of bond ownership is that carry or income continues to grow as the market sells off. Bonds are entirely unique in this manner: as their price declines the income opportunity set of the asset class grows. When bonds rally, investors are in receipt of ‘income’ (coupon/carry) plus an unrealised capital gain. When bonds prices decline, investors are still in receipt of income, whilst also having an unrealised capital loss. This unrealised loss does not need to be crystalised. If you own a bond to maturity, you will receive income during the ownership period, plus return of principal upon maturity. The critical thing to assess, of course, is the creditworthiness of the bond-issuer - in our case AAA and AA+ rated Governments, to repay in the future.

Diverse opinion from buyers and sellers is a hallmark of financial markets. Bulls and bears set the market clearing price and the challenge is to pick the optimal time to buy and sell in all asset classes, whilst at the same time maintaining a balanced asset portfolio that spreads and reduces risk. We always suggest a balanced and diversified portfolio, in which government bonds, with income guaranteed by government and immense liquidity, are an anchor or bedrock asset class. Investor life-cycle and risk tolerance thereafter will dictate the allocation size as a percentage of the portfolio.

We still maintain that AUD bonds are broadly range-bound over the balance of 2016 as the RBA move to the sidelines into a pause and assess phase. However, given the extreme negative sentiment of the media, any ‘’shock’’ could produce a powerful rally, as underweight investor positioning would be seriously challenged. The market is priced the FOMC to raise interest rates once in December and has already discounted this scenario. We would expect Bonds to do well on any such move, similar to the powerful bond rally after the singular FOMC hike in December 2015. We continue to tactically position the portfolio around this opportunity set and will continue to manager through the volatility.

Fund update for September

JCB Active Fund returned -9 bps (gross) in August, beating the index significantly by 28 bps. Government Bonds traded in a wider range over the month, with the curve steepening aggressively on the announcement of a 30 year syndicated new issue for the Australian Government due in early October. The fund retained an underweight position early in the month which generated outperformance verses the index on the selloff. Markets also grappled with changes to the policy mechanics of the Bank of Japan’s Quantitative Easing policy, which now seeks to steepen the Japanese bond curve to improve the net interest margin for financials. Additionally, the threat of a September FOMC rate hike loomed over the market. Both of these event risks passed without major incident, and we added duration thereafter, moving towards index allocations into month end, locking in outperformance over the month versus the index.

We will look to set tactical underweights and steepening positions into the pricing of the new 30-year bond, as we believe this will be offered at a discount to fair value over the medium term and hence will look to participate in the new syndicated deal in early to mid-October.

MARKET UPDATE OCTOBER 2016

JCB Active Fund is a portfolio of long only AAA and AA+ rated explicitly guaranteed Government Bonds. Since inception annualized returns are currently 5.43% net of all fee’s.

• Assets markets get hit ahead of US election

• Inflation remains problematic for RBA, but SA floods produce temporary headline CPI pop

• Exceptional supply drags on bonds prices in October

Investment markets decayed in October, pricing in additional risk premium ahead of the US presidential election. Both equities and bonds suffered declines over the month, as investors repositioned to face the prospect of a Trump presidency. Investment markets grew increasingly confident that the FOMC would complete on a single rate hike by year end in their December meeting, assuming the market could navigate the US election and Italian Senate referendum without major hiccup. Volatility continued to increase across most markets, led by GBP Sterling currency

which suffered a ‘flash crash’ of over 6.00% early in the month.

Australian inflation remains problematic for the RBA, with Q3 data showing year over year CPI weighted mean decaying to only 1.3%. Headline inflation came in stronger at 0.7% quarter on quarter, but this was significantly affected by South Australian floods causing a 20% rise in fruit and vegetable prices. Once supply normalises in these fruit and vegetable producing regions, this headline shock will be removed, causing a future drag on the already weak domestic inflation picture. This continued decay in domestic inflation, combined with AUD currency which refuses to

fall, maintains a slight easing bias at the RBA into 2017. Notwithstanding the prospect of a rate hike from the Federal Reserve in December; the fact that it has taken the combination of still incredibly easy monetary policy in the developed world and a surge in credit growth in China to produce around average global growth suggests that the prospect of much materially higher global interest rates over the next few years remains highly remote. And given the sensitivity of the Australian dollar to differences between Australian and global interest rates, that would also suggest that an historically low RBA cash rates are likely to remain a feature of the Australian economy for some time.

Over the course of October, bond markets initially decayed, following international markets higher in yield. In the middle of the month, two specific transactions contributed substantial supply to the market over an 8-day period, in the issuance of Australia’s first ever 30-year Government Bond and an interest rate swap transaction for the sale of AusGrid electricity network in NSW. This supply was truly exceptional in both size and market risk. Initially the Government had telegraphed a desire to issue 4 billion 30yrs bonds. Upon opening the transaction, the initial order book was north of 14 billion in a matter of hours, and as such the government upsized the transaction to 7.6 bln. This alone was the largest ever duration issue in Australian Fixed Income history. Hot on the heels of this transaction was the AusGrid interest rate swap which produced around 10 bln of varying but longer dated maturities of duration supply to the market. This is exceptional because the combined duration of both transactions issued in a 8 day period eclipsed the entire duration of the Australian Government Bond market of 2007. Put another way, how much market concession would be required to re IPO the ASX equity market of 2007 in an 8-day period? This heavy issuance was a

major contributor to the pullback seen in bonds prices over the month.

Fund update for OCTOBER

The JCB active fund declined by -1.48% (gross) in October, beating the index by 0.35%. The fund remained cautiously positioned vs the market heading into the month, retaining an underweight duration exposure and curve steepening structures in anticipation of long end supply concessions. After a significant duration concession in the issuance of the new Australian 30 year bond, we lifted the portfolio’s exposure back toward benchmark, capturing outperformance in the process. The Ausgrid transaction was unexpected by the market and hence we didn’t manage to generate any

additional alpha return around this market movement, but did suffer beta decay. We continue to like building the portfolio with a heavy skew to short dated bonds that now carry at positive yields vs the RBA cash rate as we believe these offer compelling risk/reward over time.

MARKET UPDATE NOVEMBER 2016

JCB Active Fund is a portfolio of long only AAA and AA+ rated explicitly guaranteed Government Bonds. Since inception annualized returns are currently 4.26% net of all fee’s.

• Trump’s win pushes markets on expectation only, increases risks for portfolio’s

• Lifting the service cost on $240 trillion of global debt

• Whilst global markets focus on Trump, Australian domestic data collapses

• Observations of buyers and sellers of Australian Government Bonds

• Australian Banks hiking mortgage rates ‘out of cycle’ as funding costs increase

Trump’s win pushes markets on expectation only, increases risks for portfolio’s -

Positive Trump momentum has reigned supreme in markets since the US election, with themarket moving to a euphoric state factoring in expected future growth and inflation in the United States. Only time will tell if this fully materialises and what the implications will be for global trade and financial assets. As is widely known, markets move quicker than policies and in turn new infrastructure identification, planning, funding, and employment takes even longer.

From a technical perspective looking forward via a normal distribution bell shaped probability curve, the possible financial market return outcomes have widening significantly to both the up and downside.

Under a Trump led US Government we will likely get strong near term US growth, but we might also suffer broader global geo-political tension. This could have an impact on borrowing rates (as outlined further below) that can endanger global markets given their heavily indebted nature post the global financial crisis (GFC). The only constant that seems assured in 2017 is market volatility, making diversified portfolio’s critical to navigating future investment markets twists and turns.

Jamieson Coote Bonds notes that we have been here before post GFC; via similar financial market moves on the election of Obama, with the commencement of multiple QE programs and with Abenomics in Japan. These moments were suggested at the time as the catalyst for job creation, delivering sustainable growth and generating inflation. Sadly as we know, none of this has occurred. The outstanding question is - can Trump succeed where other capable leaders and programs have failed? It is of course too early to answer this question in full, but the markets have certainly priced in lofty expectations as evidenced by the ‘asset side’ of Trump’s future Presidential term, with little regard for the ‘liabilities’ side that will provided economic headwinds to Trump’s term in office.

The prevailing US commentary around lower taxes, stimulus spending and deregulation are all welcome near term, but cutting your income (via tax cuts) whilst spending more, plus allowing bankers free rein isn’t a sustainable or healthy proposition for the longer term.

Lifting the service cost on $240 trillion of global debt -

Since the GFC, global debt levels have increased dramatically from $140 trillion to over circa $240 trillion. All this new debt has essentially been created from zero interest rate policies, given the lower rate environment we find ourselves in. This debt of course requires servicing, as it must be rolled forward as it matures over differing time frames. The Trump euphoria has seen US borrowing costs climb quickly in expectation of higher growth and

inflation. This has had the impact of causing an immediate in specie tightening of financial conditions, as the cost of servicing this huge debt load has in effect increased. Combined with a stronger USD currency, the market has essentially hiked interest rates in the United States during November. These events will most likely be followed by the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) hiking rates on December 15th and Jamieson Coote Bonds notes a rate

hike is 100% priced in markets (as observed by the indicative US Fed Funds Futures contract forward pricing), leaving US consumers with essentially a double financial tightening for their hip pockets into 2017. This should have a short-term impact on standard US mortgage, car loans and student debt serviceability levels and will create a drag on future US economic growth levels and expect weaker incoming data to support this view and will be watching this

with keen interest in the New Year.

Whilst global markets focus on Trump, Australian domestic data collapses -

While Australian interest rates have historically risen in sympathy with US rate moves, Australian economic data has recently fallen dramatically. In sequential order over the last few weeks the Australian economy has:

• Recorded its weakest ever wage growth - important due to high correlation to inflation data which is still weak at 1.30% YoY and below the 2.00 to 3.00% RBA mandate,

• Lost 12,000 full time jobs on average each month during 2016, whilst creating part time work (structural under employment),

• Construction work completed has dropped -4.9% in Q3, its weakest reading in 15 years (key indicator as construction has helped fill the void left after the mining boom)

• Building approvals fell -24.9% in October following a decay of -6.8% in September, placing pressure on the construction pipeline into 2017.

• CAPEX intentions (as tracked by the ABS ) continues to fall posting -.00% for Q3; and

• GDP for Q3 was significantly below the weakest estimates at -0.5% posting negative quarterly growth

Without the recent Trump associated market moving headlines, we would normally be discussing when the RBA would be cutting interest rates to stem the recent poor domestic data flow. Ironically, Australian banks have however been increasing mortgage rates on fixed and variable products in response to the higher cost of funds. This is worrying as this comes at a time when Australian debt to income is at record highs, making Australian consumers

very sensitive to interest rate movements. Should the Banks continue this trend whilst the domestic data remains so weak, the RBA will be forced to react by cutting interest rates.

Observations of buyers and sellers of Australian Government Bonds -

Flows remained mixed over November period from international holders of Australian Government Bonds. Selling was noted as emerging Asian Central Banks raised cash to defend local currencies against large moves. Local managers have trimmed risk in longer dated bonds as the market re calibrates inflation expectation, but added risk in short dated

bonds in recognition of the poor domestic data. Sovereign wealth managers remain cautious on bonds currently given the speed of the move post Trump, however, there remains broad agreement that valuations have improved significantly, and once the asset class stabilises Australian rates are favoured given the weakening domestic data and high yields on offer. Australian Banks hiking mortgage rates ‘out of cycle’ as funding costs increase.

Jamieson Coote Bonds concluding remarks

After rapid market moves post the US election, opinions among asset owners and CIO’s are widely distributed. Without question, we are entering a period of higher uncertainty about US monetary policy and higher uncertainty about fiscal and structural policy. This will lead to continued higher uncertainty around the direction of the global economy with increased volatility for investment markets. The current and likely future macro-economic backdrop will likely lead to various different outcomes for investment portfolios.

The ‘expectation’ of Trump must meet ‘realisation’ into 2017 to justify the recent new valuations for growth and defensive assets will be tested at a time of record debt burdens. As investors are aware, there is a concrete relationship between the price of money for borrowers (i.e. individuals and corporate) and the financial health of markets. In this regard, Jamieson Coote Bonds is of the view that further material increases in the price of money may begin to impact over leveraged consumers and an over-indebted corporate sector, which could start to

impact risk asset valuations.

If this trend continues, markets should reach a tipping point where a broader deleveraging cycle begins, which will put a drag on global growth and in turn dent risk asset valuations. With volatility looking set to be our only constant in 2017, portfolio diversification remains as critical as ever. The likely future significant divergence between asset classes provides a compelling backdrop to incorporate cornerstone defensive allocations in portfolios. Australian Government Bonds can offer investors this true to label exposure.

Fund update for November

The JCB active fund declined by 1.69% in November, outperforming the Bloomberg AusBond Treasury (0+Yr) Index by 0.17%. The fund remained underweight duration during the month, with a preference for holding short dated bonds (which are more heavily driven by RBA policy) and was underweight positions in longer dated bonds (which are driven

primarily by inflation expectations). JCB notes the increase in short dated yields as being particularly unusual given the extremely poor domestic data flow experienced over the month. Moving forwards, as RBA rate hikes are extremely unlikely given the poor recent domestic data, combined with the tightening of financial conditions via out of cycle bank rate hikes, we will look to increase positioning in the front end of the curve on any further price cheapening.

MARKET UPDATE DECEMBER 2016

JCB Active Fund is a portfolio of long only AAA and AA+ rated explicitly guaranteed Government Bonds. Since inception annualized returns are currently 3.95% net of all fee’s.

“If I were to run, I’d run as a Republican. They’re the dumbest group of voters in the country. They believe anything on Fox News. I could lie and they’d still eat it up. I bet my numbers would be terrific”. Donald J. Trump, soon to be the 45th President of the United States of America."

• The only certainty from here is volatility: well-diversified portfolios will be positioned   to ride the tides

• The US policy agenda according to Paul Ryan, Speaker House of Reps: right-size growth expectations
• What happened to the four US FOMC rate hikes expected at start of 2016? Finally, the market gets over the line with a hike in December
• Domestic data remains poor into year end 2016, AAA safe for now
• Some observations of buyers and sellers of Australian Government Bonds

The only certainty from here is volatility: well-diversified portfolios will be positioned to ride the tides -

Positive President-elect Trump momentum continued through December – equity markets have baked in lofty expectations of economic growth in the form of strong asset valuations. In reality, the incoming Administration will actually need to deliver on these promises, and Inauguration does not occur until mid-January.

JCB feels this is likely to be a bumpy process, causing gyrations and volatility over the coming months as Trump learns that running a Government is vastly different than running a business. Without question the range of possible market outcomes have widened significantly given the large political policy changes ahead and the possible ramifications. Predicting the outcomes of tough negotiations with House and Senate Republicans is difficult at the best of times, as well as any response from China and Russia to such developments. This will shape the environment into H1.

Whilst it is tempting to position portfolios in line with current momentum, we note that the market is now heavily skewed towards a successful implementation of Trump’s economic plan. In short, any gap between expectation and reality may cause an outsized market reaction. As always JCB advocates a balance portfolio approach, particularly in times of expected heightened volatility.

The US policy agenda according to Paul Ryan, Speaker House of Representatives: right-size growth expectations -

1. Affordable care act reform (Obamacare)
2. Regulatory overview (Dodd Frank)
3. Securing the border
4. Modernise the military
5.  Tax reform
6. Infrastructure

In private meetings with senior US Investment Banking executives held in NYC early January 2017, Paul Ryan listed the above agenda items in order of priority as discussed with the incoming Trump Administration. Last month JCB highlighted the often significant time lag of implementing infrastructure spending due to time delays of project identification, planning, funding and contracting the tender process. Infrastructure spending can be major plank in stimulating economies; given this is a stated low priority for the new Administration (according to Ryan), some caution is warranted in a market that is anticipating immediate and sustained growth.

What happened to the four US FOMC rate hikes expected at start of 2016? Finally, the market gets over the line with a hike in December -

At the beginning of 2016, the market had priced in four expected FOMC rate rises for the year ahead. For reference, calendar 2016 saw market participants expecting a ‘normalisation’ of US interest rate policies being disappointed. What played out in 2016 (which was much like 2015) saw twists and turns that delayed and frustrated the rate hawks. Finally, in December the US Federal Reserve managed to hike interest rates once.

Many market pundits for 2017 are again expecting a number of rate rises, with current market pricing suggesting three moves. JCB has written for some time about the difficulty of raising rates in an environment saddled by high debt. Considering the current position and conditions, we believe two hikes (rather than three) is more likely for 2017.

Some observations of buyers and sellers of Australian Government Bonds -

Financial market flows remained mixed over December from international holders of Australian Government Bonds. We noted selling tendencies early in the month as emerging market Asian

Central Banks raised cash to defend local currencies moves. Later in the month Sovereign Wealth Managers and international real money managers started to accumulate bonds after the significant cheapening. This dynamic saw bond valuations lift materially into the end of the month. Overall flows volume remained below average given the December and holiday period.

Jamieson Coote Bonds concluding remarks

Markets are entering a period of higher uncertainty about the path of US fiscal, monetary, and structural policy. Geopolitical events have the possibility to destabilise the status quo bringing volatility to investment portfolios.

The ‘expectation’ of Trump must meet ‘realisation’ in 2017. Jamieson Coote Bonds continues to believe that further material increases in the price of money may begin to impact over leveraged consumers and an over-indebted corporate sector. This will start to impact risk asset valuations.

If this trend continues, markets should reach a tipping point where a deleveraging cycle begins. This will likely put a drag on global growth and, in turn, dent risk asset valuations further. The likely future significant divergence between asset classes provides a compelling backdrop to incorporate cornerstone defensive allocations in portfolios. Australian Government Bonds can offer investors this true-to-label exposure.

Fund update for DECEMBER

The JCB Active Bond Fund declined by 0.29% in December, underperforming the Bloomberg AusBond Treasury (0+Yr) Index by 0.12%. The Fund remained underweight duration during the month, with a preference for holding short-dated bonds (which are more heavily driven by RBA policy). We positioned the Fund to be underweight in longer dated bonds (which are driven primarily by inflation expectations). JCB notes the increase in short dated yields as being particularly unusual given the extremely poor domestic data flow experienced over the Q4 period. The fund held a larger exposure to Supra bonds (World Bank etc) as we remained concerned that a cut in the Australian Government credit rating from AAA to AA+ was possible through the budget update period. Supra Bonds would remain AAA rated, and hence would materially outperform in this scenario.

MARKET UPDATE AUGUST 2015

CHINA DEVALUES YUAN AS DATA COLLAPSES, EQUITIES BEARISH DEATH CROSS, FOMC BLINKING, AUSSIE CAPEX SHOCKER (AGAIN)

Bonds are boring. So boring. Imagine how dull you’d be if you talked about bonds all day? I often wonder, as I stand alone at cocktail parties, why everyone loves real estate agents? Is it because they tell you what you want to hear? Sorry to tell you but unfortunately, August was all bad news and it looks like we have plenty more to come. August had been fairly uneventful until China dropped a financial nuclear weapon in response to horrific export trade data at -8.3% year on year with a shock devaluation of its currency against the USD on August 11th. This is HUGELY important for markets. China is now exporting deflation around the region by artificially making itself more competitive via a lower currency. Weakness in China was further confirmed with bad manufacturing data on Friday the 21st leading to the worst 4 day fall in the US equity markets in 75 years (in point terms). After a Chinese RRR rate cut in response to collapsing equity markets, US equity markets had their biggest 2 day gain. This is not usual volatility, it is a symptom of markets that have been too manipulated for too long. Most investors can handle a pull back, but losing a year or more of gains in a few trading sessions should be a large wake up call for complacent portfolios who should revisit portfolio construction and allocations across asset classes. China has poured huge amounts of liquidity and effort into stabilising their equity markets which has not worked. Are they losing control? Bonds are boring until everything else is dangerous (see attached chart vs equities). In August alone, Australian equities have lost 8.6% whilst bonds have continued to grind forward. Trend is your friend in markets and US equities are now trending lower on a long term basis.

Fears over weakening global trade, potential rate hikes from the FOMC and collapsing commodity prices have seen equities trading lower since May. They have now generated a technical ‘’death cross’’ where 50 day moving averages close lower than the 200 day moving average price, illustrating long term trend reversal. Investors should remain very cautious going forward as weak price action continues with equity rallies now being used as selling opportunities. We expect bonds to continue to perform as investors search for high quality, low risk and low volatility fixed income assets.

The new catchphrase in equity markets is ‘’I’m a long term investor’’, which has followed on from ‘’equities with bond like characteristics’’ earlier in the year. Which equites had those bond like characteristics? Woolworths, a place we shop every week, down 10% in a day. Banks down over 20% from their highs. Good stable businesses being violently repriced. Looking forward we have move to worry about.

Yield premiums ( credit spreads) on investment-grade debt have widened by 32 basis points over the past three months, according to Bank of America Merrill Lynch index data. Since 1996, there have been five occasions when credit spreads showed similar movement. Two of them preceded recessions in 2001 and 2007 when stocks went on to drop 50 percent or more. In the other three instances, the S&P 500 fell at least 16 percent while the economy continued to grow. The latest was in August 2011, when the S&P 500 was mired in a 19 percent retreat that almost ended the bull market. Assuming the U.S. economy will be able to avoid a recession this year, as predicted by economists surveyed by Bloomberg, and stocks fall by the average magnitude to reflect similar credit stress in the past, the S&P 500 would hit 1,742, a 18 percent decline from its all-time high reached in May. That level, last seen in February 2014, represents a 12 percent drop from its August close. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-08-31/s-p-500-rout-has-room-to-go-if-bond-spreads-have-anything-to-say

JCB has argued for some time that the FOMC shouldn’t raise rates in 2015 as the data and market construct does not allow. We wrote at length about this last month and how economists have consistently called this incorrectly. If they do hike, JCB believes it will be less than the 25 bps expected by markets (Yellen has a history of soothing market risk transfer) so we assume 12.5 or 15 bps hike if they go but ultimately, even a small move will be viewed as a policy error (same as ECB hike in 2011) as it will contribute to a deeper equity market sell off on USD strength. We still assume no move but there is a small probability they will move.

Australian data over August remained on weaker side with unemployment climbing to 6.3% and Q3 capex data again coming in weak at -4%. Whilst a lower currency is helpful in rebalancing Australia’s economy, we still face significant head hinds from lower commodity prices as evidenced by our declining terms of trade. Without any fiscal stimulus forthcoming, the RBA will ultimately continue its cutting cycle, despite what it says in public. Don’t forget the RBA wished everyone a Merry Christmas with language ‘’a period of stability is warranted’’ with reference to rates and cut immediately in February without warning. They are a 100% reactionary Central Bank which is why we maintain our long held view that they will cut again in November ’15 after Q3 inflation report.

There is an old maritime brokers saying ‘’dictum meum pactum’’ meaning ‘’my word is my bond.’’ It is boring no doubt, but sometimes you should just take the bonds and leave the words and promises to others.

FUND HIGHLIGHTS & POSITIONING

Jamieson Coote Bonds Active Fund gained 0.56% gross during August. After the rally in bonds markets in July, JCBAF lightened duration into month end and added to curve flattening exposure in sympathy with declining oil prices.

 We also added some semi (state) government exposure up to 35% of portfolio to capture additional carry through the usually quiet August period. After the surprise Chinese devaluation of the Yuan we added duration and cut additional semi risk, moving back into core ACGB holdings. We initially outperformed the market in early part of the month, however the shock Chinese announcement generated a snap steepening of the curve, catching us poorly positioned, and we gave up that initial outperformance. The fund finishing the month essentially at index returns, 3 bps ahead of index gross or 3 bps below the index net of all fees. We expect significant financial market volatility going forward into Q4, hence we will run lighter risk and look to capture those opportunities as they arise rather than sitting on a large core position. We broadly expect bonds to continue to do well and risk markets to be vulnerable, but we need to watch for significant policy response from authorities which may dampen flight to quality premiums.

MARKET UPDATE JULY 2015

IN THE SEVENTH MONTH VOLATILITY RESTED, IS THE FOMC NEXT?

After the surge in global market volatility throughout June and early July, another temporary resolution in the Greek debt crisis allowed markets to refocus attention on economic fundamentals. Unfortunately for Australia, those fundamentals continue to decay as our terms of trade decline and the broader commodity complex remains challenged, leaving the Q2 Capex report towards recessionary territory. This led RBA Governor Stevens to comment that trend growth may be significantly lower at 2.75% in years ahead, than estimated in the budget forward estimates which assume 3.25% moving up to 3.50% in 2017-18. Such an outcome would leave the budget ~ $170 billion in arrears vs current projections.

The decline in bond market volatility allowed additional exposures to be added in July after bond market valuations had reached compelling levels during the decline of June, and a calmer environment allowed for significant price gains over the month of July. This was further fueled by oil price declines creating renewed deflation fears. US data was weak over the month leading the market to push back on timing and frequency of potential Federal Reserve (FOMC) rate hikes. We have long argued that the FOMC wants to raise rates but the data will not allow it in any material way. As much as FOMC Chairman Yellen continues to say rate hikes are coming soon, the market continues to push back those expectations with current pricing ascribing only a 38% chance of a September move, down from 66% earlier in the year. Economists believe Yellen, with 82% expecting a September rate hike, although they assumed similar earlier in the year calling for a June rate hike back in April. Whilst we believe the data doesn’t allow for US rate hikes, they may eventuate regardless. It is important to recognize how different this cycle has been to previous history and acknowledge that any movement in rates will be extremely slow and orderly. Many well regarded pundits have estimated that if the FOMC hike rates into poor data and weakening commodity complex, they could be cutting again in 2016. Since the GFC the global markets have enjoyed 582 rate cuts or stimulus policy interventions.

We have had some notable rate rises in the developed world including the ECB hiking in 2011 (now followed by -20bps interest rates and a 1.2 trillion QE program. 1,200,000,000,000.00). The Bank of Canada, RBNZ and the RBA also raised rates post GFC. All three are now in cutting cycles. JCB retains the long held view that the FOMC may well pass on hiking rates at all in 2015 (although we acknowledge they do want a hike). We also continue to believe the RBA will cut rates in November following the release of Q3 inflation report. Any pullback in rates will remain buying opportunities given that the general economic data flow remains soft.

FUND HIGHLIGHTS & POSITIONING

After the momentum sell off in bond markets during Q2, the fund was running its longest duration exposure since inception. We maintained our duration above 5.00 years as the month opened moving up to a high of 5.73 years early in the month as the commodity complex continued to collapse (as expected in last month’s market highlights).

The fund also benefited from weaker US data over July, changing the expected slope and speed of any FOMC rate hiking cycle. This repricing of FOMC expectations have made roll and carry paramount, as elevated forward curves have been challenged and some short positioning has been squeezed.

The market also enjoyed a strong seasonal bias for bonds as the northern summer sees issuance curtailed. European markets have negative net cash flows aided by ongoing ECB bond buying under QE at 65 billion a month. As the US curve started flattening early in month, we also closed all steepening exposure as the AUD curve displayed a technical triple top failure at 103 bps in 3s10s AUD curve. Further declines in the commodity complex and lack of any US wage inflation continue to favor long end rates and hence we maintain flattening exposure in the near term.

Over the month JCB has lowered its duration exposures to lock in absolute performance in keeping with our capital preservation mandate. This leaves the fund underperforming its index over July, however it remains significantly above the index over the YTD period.

MARKET UPDATE JUNE 2015

COMMODITIES SELL OFF AND GREECE – WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT?

'Greece' was the word in financial markets in the month of June with declining commodities markets and Chinese stock market collapse taking a secondary seat. We expect commodities and China to gain more attention in July but Greece will dominate near term. The unexpected Greek referendum will effect asset valuations the world over. The market has always assumed an 11th hour Greek deal would be reached but in the ruling far left Syriza, they are taking a very large gamble. We think the risks are significant and vastly underpriced and a‘’Grexit’’ would add huge volatility to markets, being negative for risk assets and positive for bonds.

If Greece is allowed to write down their 325 billion Euros of debt, other heavily indebted nations will follow requesting similar relief. Austerity in these countries has been brutally painful giving rise to anti austerity left wing politics from an angry public, looking for champions to fight financial oppressors (creditors who would like to be repaid – funny old world). With elections in Portugal in September and Spain in December, Europe is rightly reluctant to offer debt relief (write downs) to Governments who shy away from the financial responsibilities of their predecessors. It sets a dangerous precedent that will find no end and would attack domestic banking systems causing financial contagion. We don't think an 11th hour deal is so simple this time round.

Greece’s ruling Syriza want debt relief, knowing ejection from the Eurozone will be dramatic and painful, but a deal with creditors on current terms continues painful austerity viewed as an equally bad alternative. The chances of an emotional accident are significantly higher than markets currently prescribe.

Greece is the first nation to come to the end of their mountainous debt highway – many others will follow. The world has immersed itself in high levels of debt with the public showing a casual indifference as politicians have run huge structural budget deficits (let the good times keep rolling – debt financed if need be). Households have also enjoyed debt financing, borrowing at a record pace. The centralized response to the GFC was to create more debt, with global debt now 50% higher in nominal terms than pre GFC levels. Economic growth has become debt financed, not organically driven. Add to this Quantitative Easing (printing paper money), and we have created extra demand out of thin air. However, all the existing and newly created debt requires servicing to make the mathematics of debt solvency and sustainability workable. Relief comes in the form of Zero Interest Rate Policies making debt extremely cheap to finance. Global asset markets have traded to record highs with 83% of global equities markets being currently supported by a Zero Interest Rate Policies, living on cheap debt oxygen.

So why is Greece important in all of this? In the short term a “Grexit’’ will add significant volatility to markets which hate uncertainty. We would expect risk markets of credit and equities being negatively affected as the Greek banking system becomes insolvent almost instantly without significant ECB support. Whilst this has captured the majority of attention over June, also note Chinese equities are down over 25% from mid-month peaks and commodities have started to resume their bear market sell off. We will follow these market themes closely in July.

FUND HIGHLIGHTS & POSITIONING

Jamieson Coote Bonds Active Fund declined 0.18% gross in the month of June. The momentum sell off in bond markets continued in June which we see as opportunity to add duration to the portfolio.

Markets focused on timing and speed of potential FOMC rate hikes in the US which we believe will not materialize until 2016. Greece also dominated headlines with market optimism remaining that an 11th hour outcome would materialize. After trading cautiously early in the month with low duration, JCBAF added duration mid-month as valuations improved and Chinese equity markets broke trend line supports opening significant potential downside. This was also aligned with commodity complexes rolling over to renewed bear market pressure which is very constructive for bond markets mid term. JCBAF held its largest average duration position since the fund’s inception at 5.03 years in June, and despite markets finishing lower on the month, we were able to significantly outperform the market sell-off by 106 bps thanks to headline volatility around the Greek situation providing excellent trading opportunities intra month.

MARKET UPDATE MAY 2015

RBA KICKS OWN GOAL AMID GLOBAL VOLATILITY + CAPEX SHOCK

Global fixed income markets remained under heavy technical selling pressure in early May following the rapid fall in European Government Bond prices lead by the German 10 year. AUD bonds initially followed lower as all bond risk premiums where revalued in light of European sell off. The ECB have committed to a 1.2 TRILLION Euro QE program. When you are spending 1.2 TRILLION Euro’s you would hope to get what you want. In the ECB case that is stable markets with low bond yields thereby encouraging excess capital into the broader economy, whilst also lowering the cost of debt serviceability. In response to the sell-off the ECB calmed markets significantly mid-month by illustrating it would front load the pace of QE purchases. The markets immediately responded, turning what had been a technical deleveraging sell-off into a buying opportunity with much of the lost ground being regained by month end.

In Australia after April’s weak CPI data the market expected the RBA to cut rates at its May 5th meeting. In an incredible act of nativity, the RBA dropped its explicit easing bias in its accompanying statement – instead selecting a watered down implicit easing bias. In doing so the RBA kicked a significant own goal with regard to financial markets outcomes, as traders assumed the RBA easing cycle could be over. In an already difficult market the AUD currency was materially higher, bonds and equities sold off and property clearance rates screamed. Bond market’s closed 15 bps higher in yield on RBA day despite the 25 bps rate cut (only other time we have seen that is after Sept ‘11 in USA when the Bond market rallied so far on day of terror attack -flight to quality- it actually sold off the following day despite FOMC cutting rates).

Late in the month CAPEX data was outright recessionary, reminding fundamental investors that Australian glide path remains significantly challenged. We fully expect further RBA rate cut later in year (November) with a return to an ‘’explicit’’ easing bias as soon as June RBA meeting minutes.

We have argued for some time that equity markets are living on interest rate oxygen only. Interestingly, as bond yields moved 1 - 1.5% higher early in the month, equity markets were savaged as yield driven stocks collapsed, some by more than 10%. Lower bonds yields will be welcomed for now by equity investors, but be sure to mind your eye when the next crisis comes. The positive correlation will have a major breakdown in time.

FUND HIGHLIGHTS & POSITIONING

Jamieson Coote Bonds Active Fund gained 0.11% gross in the month of May. With the washout in European Bonds dragging fixed income lower, JCBAF was 2.5 years underweight index early in May, generating significant out-performance vs the fund mandate.

Given valuations had improved considerably into the RBA meeting on May 5th, JCBAF added duration for expected rate cut in line with our strategy highlighted in the April Fund update. Unfortunately due to the failure of the RBA to read market psychology, despite calling this rate cut correctly, the fund suffered as bonds prices declined after the meeting (See RBA own goal in market update)

Prior to the RBA meeting, Bond prices had been declining due to international technical factors. This change of tone from RBA added fundamental domestic pressure to the market. After being wrong footed on RBA day due to change in statement, JCBAF reduced duration again, preferring to wait for confirmation the international sell off was abating.

The news the ECB would front load QE purchases was the catalyst to lift duration again as higher duration holdings are justified at technically discounted valuations. After the release of weaker CAPEX data we quickly lifted duration again to overweight index to capture the resulting rally, running overweight positions into month end extensions where we lightened some risk and retuned to a slightly underweight index position.

MARKET UPDATE APRIL 2015

RBA TO CUT IN MAY AFTER INFLATION DATA

In April global market data remained patchy. The US economy slowed as stronger USD and severe weather on east coast continues to weigh on data. US Non-farm payrolls for March missed by over 100,000 jobs and ISM surveys declined. GDP data for Q1 was an anaemic 0.2% for the quarter. Market watchers would assume softer data will curtail a data dependant Federal Reserve. The Citibank US Economic Surprise Index remains in deeply negative territory at -62 declining from a reading of zero in February, meaning incoming economic data is significantly weaker than market estimations (including the FOMC’s).

Australian economic data was mixed with better jobs numbers at +37k, but inflation data remained subdued. This should allow for the RBA to cut at the May 5th meeting to 2.00%.

With the onset of the ECBs 1.2 Trillion euro QE program in Feb 2015 (at 60bn per month) German 10yr Bund yields continued to rally from March to an all-time low of 6bps. By the middle of April several high profile investors including Bill Gross, Alan Howard and Jeffrey Gundlach commented publically that Bunds looked expensive despite the 60 billion Euro a month ECB QE buy program.

Whilst we believe German rates at negative or low levels to be of limited value, we question some of the commentary from the investors mentioned, particularly Jeffrey Gundlach who stated that ‘’shorting the German 2yr 100 times leveraged at negative yields produces positive carry.’’ Any fixed income investor knows there is no leveraged carry opportunity given German general collateral (GC) is -20 bps plus you also need to pay a running repo charge to borrow the bond for delivery, over the life of the short position, hence ruling his strategy mute. We think many of these comments were driven by opportunistic market positioning looking to exploit a European investment community that has too much one way (long only) risk and over exposures to curve flattening structures. At time of writing Bunds have sold off 32 bps to yield 38 bps, spilling into other fixed income markets into month end. This sell off is technical in nature and not fundamentally driven. It will be a buying opportunity for duration in time, ahead of European summer trading.

Domestically the Australian Government bond market was dominated by redemptions and coupon payments of ACGB and semi government bonds totalling 28 billion dollars. The market was well supported from the early to middle parts of the month with many investors reinvesting proceeds. However, with the onset of the selloff in German bonds taking other markets to higher yields, not even these significant reinvestment flows could stem the pressure to higher yields for ACGB’s closing the month 33 bps higher in yield at 2.65% despite the benign CPI data on the 22nd of April (seen by the market as no road block to another interest rate cut from the RBA)

JCB hold our long held view that the RBA will cut interest rates in May after deciding to hold rates steady in April. We expect to see more volatility in bond markets and we expect this to flow to other investment classes in the months before European summer hits full swing.

FUND HIGHLIGHTS & POSITIONING

Jamieson Coote Bonds Active Fund declined throughout April posting a loss of 0.69%

Bond prices remained very well supported at the start of April on the expectation that the RBA would cut the cash rate to 2.00% with market ascribing an 80% probability prior to the April 7th meeting.

 JCB felt an April cut was premature ahead of Q1 inflation data due later in the month, as the RBA likes to see the inflation data before adjusting rate policy. We wrote about this in our March Market update, ”JCB maintains its long held view that the RBA will cut the cash rate in May to 2.00% (after seeing April 22nd Q1 CPI inflation data) with further cuts to come later in the year.’’

As a result we lowered our duration and risk into the RBA meeting which proved correct as RBA passed on a rate cut in April but maintained an easing bias, therefore setting up market for a cut in May post the CPI data. With the market being 80% priced for a rate cut ahead of April, a sell off resulted and we used this pull back to add some duration ahead of CPI data which we expected to be benign thereby allowing for a rate cut at the May RBA meeting.

MARKET UPDATE MARCH 2015

RBA PAUSES FOR NOW WHILST CORPORATES WOBBLE

Following the RBA rate cut in February and decline in commodity markets over the month of March, markets continue to expect rate cuts from the RBA in coming month with the interest rate swap market pricing for a year end terminal rate around 1.60%! JCB maintains its long held view that the RBA will cut the cash rate in May to 2.00% (after seeing April 22nd Q1 CPI inflation data) with further cuts to come later in the year.

The collapse in commodity markets (iron ore off 21% since Feb cut from $62 to $47), is causing significant issues for parts of the corporate sector and has far reaching implications for the economy and the federal budget. Fortescue Metals Group failed to refinance $2.5 billion in debt with a failed bond sale in mid-March (iron ore at $55 a tonne at the time, now at $47). Initially the company attempted to secure a syndicated bank loan, but once it was clear the company has lost the faith of its bankers, it turned to the high yield bond market in the United States. The heavily indebted miner could not secure funding at commercial rates and was forced to pull the offering altogether. Fortescue has nearly $12 billion of debt falling due in coming years. Once funding markets seize on a corporate they rarely reopen without a major restructuring. The playbook from here is ugly and often looks something like the following…. Hedge funds short sell the stock and plant a host of negative news articles in the media, ratings agencies get nervous and issue debt downgrades, further closing the funding market door. Once it is clear that a solvency issue is approaching a major restructuring, capital raising or trade sale must ensue. It is a shocking cycle that we have witnessed firsthand during the GFC working for US banks. Corporate failures will rise over the year, as mining boom turns to mining bust for indebted companies with weak cash flows and growing solvency issues.

The rapid and sustained fall in commodity markets coupled with contractionary fiscal policy, ensures the RBA will continue cutting to support currency and interest rates sensitive parts of the economy and sure up sagging confidence. There are risks associated with further rates cuts, predominantly in bubble like property markets of Sydney and Melbourne, however this is seemingly the lesser of two evils in a tricky balancing act for the RBA. This ultimately requires APRA to provide macro prudential policy restrictions, capping loan to valuation ratios in some investment markets.

Turning to offshore markets March’s mid-month meeting of the US Federal Reserve saw a marked shift in FED speak from Chair Janet Yellon who lowered the ‘’dot plot’’ or the FED’s expected glide path for US interest rates whilst also removing the key phrase ‘’patient’’ from the statement. This effectively ends the post GFC policy of forward guidance from the FED – which in turn will lift volatility of all financial markets. Data in US has been declining of late. JCB believes the FOMC will raise rates in Sept 2015, however we believe it will be a very small increment of 10 bps rather than market consensus at 25 bps.

European Quantitative Easing continues in full swing with 10 year German Government debt now yielding a whopping 16bps or 0.16%. If that doesn’t encourage an investment then maybe you should consider 2yr German Government Debt at -28bps or -0.28%. We live in truly amazing times. Australian Government Debt, AAA rated, Westminster system, slowing economy, fiscal contraction, RBA with cutting bias, continues to attract massive foreign buyers and will do so for some time yet. JCB remains very constructive on Australian Government Bonds.

FUND HIGHLIGHTS & POSITIONING

Jamieson Coote Bonds enjoyed returns throughout March of 0.89% maintaining our move towards our high single digit returns on a per annum basis.

Over the course of March the largest risk for the portfolio was mid-month FOMC meeting where we reduced duration significantly surrounding the event risk, in keeping with our risk management philosophy. Chair Yellon removed the word ‘’patience’’ but lowered the dot plot catching markets offside, which caused a significant rally in Global Bond markets. JCBAF added duration immediately as the desk was staffed for FOMC meeting.

The ongoing deterioration of commodity complex will continue to support the Australian Government Bond market although may create some widening pressure on State Government paper. The budgetary positions of both West Australia and Queensland State Governments require careful consideration as falling mining based revenues will impact budgets positions and therefore pricing for State issued bonds. Any further performance will be an opportunity to lighten all state holdings and return to Federal Government holdings.

MARKET UPDATE FEBRUARY 2015

RBA REMAINS IN PLAY

After an 18 month ‘’period of stability’’ the RBA surprised markets with a 25bp rate cut on Feb 3rd kicking off a volatile month for markets. We have argued for some time that the RBA would be required to cut rates in 2015 and fully expect further rate cuts to materialise over the course of year. The RBA rarely tweaks interest rates with a single move, making this adjustment significant as the start of a new rate cutting cycle. JCB looks for a further cut of 25 bps to 2.00% in the May meeting, after the release of Q1 inflation data which we expect to remain soft. JCB continues to retain its long held view that economic outlook for Australia remains extremely challenging with lower commodity prices and slower global growth.

Fixed income markets remained unsettled throughout February despite a month on month close move of only 2 bps in Australian Government 10yr Bonds from 2.42% to 2.44%. After the surprise RBA cut the market rallied aggressively as many domestic managers were forced into the market to cover underweight exposures. Thereafter, the stabilisation of the energy complex (oil recovered from $43.58 low to extend rally to $54.24 before settling around $50 per barrel) allowed international fixed income markets to drift lower taking Australian Government Bonds lower in sympathy. This ultimately present a buying opportunity for Australian Fixed Income.

During the month the market experienced heightened volatility around Australian political instability with a shock result in Queensland Election and spill motion against sitting Prime Minister Abbott. Queensland State Government Bonds suffered immediate losses as the planned privatisation of state owned assets looked to be shelved by the incoming Labour Palaszczuk Government, although bonds have since recovered most of those spread based losses as it seems state asset disposal remains inevitable. Prime Minister Abbott survived the spill motion although much debate continues to rage regarding the leadership of the Federal Government.

Offshore Greece was again the centre of markets attentions as the election of new populist government played hard ball with European Commission over debt restructuring and potential further bail out measures causing some flight to quality periods, although this has now been kicked further down the road with a 4 month extension. In the US, FOMC Chair Janet Yellen completed her semi-annual testimony to the House Banking Committee (Known as Humphrey Hawkins Testimony) stating that the FOMC remain on track to normalise interest rate policy assuming the incoming economic data allows. We assume a US rate hikes will commence in Q3 of 2015, albeit at a very slow pace.

Finally, last month we commented on equities market participants declaring some blue chip equities had ‘’bond like’’ returns. The hunt for yield has forced many investors to chase high quality stocks, but we were reminded with a bang during February as to why equities remain the riskiest asset class in capital chain. Woolworths (a company we shop at every day) had a slight miss on H1 numbers and the stock fell 15% in 36 hours, destroying significant investor value in the process. When equities are priced for perfection a small blip in the road can have major consequences for valuations.

FUND HIGHLIGHTS & POSITIONING

Jamieson Coote Bonds enjoyed returns throughout February of 0.40% maintaining our move towards our high single digit returns on a per annum basis.

February was volatile with bond prices closing slightly lower on the month despite a surprise RBA rate cut on the 3rd of month, causing many domestic fund managers to stop into the market, clawing back underweight exposures. The JCB Active Fund sold half its bond duration into this spike higher in prices locking in gains early in the month. The consolidation of the energy market (oil rallied from low of $43.58 to touch $54.24 before settling around $50 per barrel) removed much of the dis-inflationary force in markets and as such US Treasury Bonds led many global bond markets lower over the month. Australian Government bonds also headed lower in price in sympathy with US Treasuries, before rallying back after weak CAPAX data late in the month.

MARKET UPDATE JANUARY 2015

RBA CUTS WITH MORE TO COME

Firstly, if you are reading this we welcome you to Jamieson Coote Bonds. We will attempt to keep these monthly’s short and relevant however we urge you to call us to discuss any of the following content in greater detail. There is a huge amount going on in macro space causing currents and cross currents for all asset markets.

2015 will remain an extremely volatile year. In January alone we have witnessed and explosive month for macro markets with the surprise removal of the Swiss Franc ( CHF) peg ( vs EUR) by the Swiss National Bank combined with a 50bps rate cut taking official cash rates in Switzerland to negative 0.75%, resulting in Swiss Government Bonds trading at negative yields. This shock move generated significant volatility in FX markets with CHF appreciating 35% on the day and highlights the impact Central Bankers are having on markets in distorting the allocation of capital and removing the free markets ability to set prices.

The ECB followed suite with a massive 1.1 trillion Euro’s of Quantitative Easing (buying Government Bonds with printed money) and stated they would include sovereign bonds with negative yields in the buying program. The evolution of negative yields on government bonds is extraordinary and removes the lower boundary valuation condition at 0%. Capital prices for bonds continue to increase as bond yields fall – even when negative. Trillions of dollars of Government bonds now trade with negative yields highlighting the vicious deflationary forces at play in much of the globe. Australian 10yr Government Bonds at yields of 2.50% look extremely attractive to the global investment community in this context.

Oil, commodity and energy markets remain in key focus. Corporates have reacted to lower oil prices pulling capex and slowing production, withdrawing oil rigs at fastest pace in recent history. We feel prices will stabilise for a period as supply is beginning to be constrained.

As a result of the macro forces at play, the RBA will be compelled to act by lowering the cash rate in coming months to sure up domestic demand and force the currency lower helping stabilise the economy. JCB retains its long held view that economic outlook for Australia remains extremely challenging with lower commodity prices and slower global growth.

Recent comments from equity market participants that equities have ‘’bond like’’ characteristics are absurd. Government Bonds carry the explicit guarantee of a nation and taxes can but levied on citizens to repay these obligations. Equities are the riskiest investment one can make and returns should compensate for the larger risks associated. There is absolutely ZERO guarantee of return of monies invested in the equity space. When the economy turns and credit cycle bursts, bad and doubtful debts rise dramatically. Dividends get cut and equity valuations plummet. We have experienced these unpleasant events first hand. Working for Merrill Lynch pre GFC I received stock at $100. It traded at $1 two years later. Lower interest rates are great for asset valuations while the world remains calm but the risk build up in the system is potentially explosive and fatal when the winds change.

FUND HIGHLIGHTS & POSITIONING

Jamieson Coote Bonds enjoyed solid returns throughout January in line with our mandate of high single digit annual returns with a strict focus on capital preservation.

The month was characterised by significant intervention in markets from Central Banks with Swiss National Bank unexpectedly removing its currency peg vs Euro and ECB embarking upon a larger than expected 1.1 trillion Euros of Quantitative Easing to fight deflationary forces in the Eurozone. With oil prices also declining significantly, deflation or disinflation was the subject of much discussion in markets and collapsed yield premiums across asset classes.

JCBAF was cautious for the opening part of January, given relatively illiquid markets at the beginning of the year and large macro-economic events on the calendar with binary outcomes. Prior to the ECB policy meeting, markets generated lively debate regarding the potential commencement of a QE program, and what would be the size, timing and guarantee structure of such an initiative. After the announcement of the larger than expected bond buying program from the ECB we increased duration and exposure of the portfolio in expectation of international investor demand for globally attractive long dated Australian Government Bonds.

MARKET UPDATE SEPTEMBER 2015

FOMC BLINKS (as predicted), VW and Glencore in trouble, Aussie data shocker but cause to Turnbull-ish ?

We wrote at length about risk markets and the dangers ahead in our August monthly. September provided continued volatility, not helped by a confused US Federal Reserve (FED) who passed on hiking rates despite talking of such an occurrence all year.  This did not come as a surprise to us, as the FED is market dependent, not data dependent, as they would have us believe.

The FED say they are not influenced by the stock market. However, when QE1 ended the stock market dropped 20% and the FED caved and gave us QE2. It ended and the stock market dropped 19% and they gave us Operation Twist. They talked of ending Twist and we had taper tantrum in May 2013 and so they extended it. Now as QE3 has ended markets are again falling and they have told us they want to raise rates. Markets have fallen and they didn’t raise rates. Is there a tradeable pattern of a Quantitative Easing cycle developing?

We do not expect the FED to raise rates in 2015.  We absolutely acknowledge they would like to raise rates but ultimately the markets will not allow under that.

If markets were not confused enough, the troubles at VW and Glencore only heightened the sense of fear. It has been sometime since we have experienced a large corporate failure with potentially systemic consequences. Both these situations require careful attention, VW as one of Europe’s largest employers and Glencore as global commodities giant with huge involvement in commodity trading and derivatives businesses. We discussed widening credit spreads in our August monthly – these issues will only add fuel to the credit spread widening fire.

Turning to Australia the data early in September proved quite sobering, with GDP printing a mere 0.2% (would have been negative if not for defence spending) and retail sales -0.1%. With the AUD at 70 cents, Australian's should be shopping on the high street rather than online, and yet that retail sales kicker is not forth coming. Employment remained stable but doesn’t show any material signs of improving.  We remain concerned that the Australian economy is operating below long run average and further stimulus will ultimately be required.  We had always assumed that the FED would pass in September, thereby opening the RBA to a rate cut in November to provide that stimulus, but we are pushing back on that now.

The election of Malcolm Turnbull as Prime Minister is significant and will generate a much needed boost to confidence. We believe the RBA will now wait to see if a) Turnbull can clear the Senate in any meaningful way and b) if the lift in confidence generates increased CAPEX intentions. We remain sceptical of both but time is required to answer those questions. We are moving back our rate cut estimation to February 2016 as a result.

FUND HIGHLIGHTS & POSITIONING

Jamieson Coote Bonds Active Fund gained 0.58% gross during September.

Coming out of a hugely turbulent August we had a defined strategy into the key September US Federal Reserve meeting on Sept 17th where over 80% of economists expected a rate hike.  We reduced risk, closing curve exposures and running less duration at 4 years for the first half of the month.  Whilst we were confident the FOMC would pass, our call was non consensus and required investment caution. We added duration within seconds of the decision and added further duration during the dovish press conference taking the funds duration above index up to 6.1 years. The market rallied strongly in the following few days and we started lightening risk into the rally, locking in gains and returning the fund to a more balanced position into quarter end at 4.2 years duration.  We continue to expect volatile markets ahead into the fourth quarter and believe lighter risk is appropriate, looking to capture opportunities as they arise. We remain sympathetic to curve flattening views given the drop in US break evens and the inability of oil to materially rally. We will use any significant steepening of the curve to add flattening exposure.

MARKET UPDATE OCTOBER 2015

JCB has written extensively over the year about the FOMC and rate hiking expectations, stating that it was unlikely the FOMC could hike. That stance was lonely in June and September, when majority views indicated a coming rate rise. Ironically, the much weaker than expected September Non-Farm Payroll report in the US has actually opened the door for a FOMC rate rise in December ‘15. Let us explain.

The FOMC has told the market it is ‘’data’’ dependant. So the market watches the data to see the FOMC’s next move. The data was weak so the market assumed the FOMC can’t hike correct? No. The FOMC actually watches

the market, so the market has rallied risk assets (equities) in anticipation of no FOMC rate hikes, but in doing has actually paved the way for the FOMC to hike rates by virtue of market strength. The logic is entirely perverse, but in

a world of Quantitative Easing induced markets it is all about ‘’ow’’ With positive flows returning to equity assets, there is now a sufficient buffer to make the long anticipated move of hiking rates. As long as equity markets remain calm into December, JCB now expects the FOMC will hike rates, albeit by less than recent usual 25 bps increments.

We also expect any such FOMC move will be accompanied by dovish language, re enforcing a slow and gradual program of rates hikes in the US with a significantly lower terminal rate expectation than current market forecasts.

Under this scenario, we see the rates complex being broadly benign to slightly higher in yield, within a tight valuation range, however the term structure will suffer from flattening pressure with short dated maturities under-performing.

Turning to Australia we have long anticipated the Q3 CPI data release would provide catalyst to return the RBA to the rate cutting table, despite their noted reluctance to provide further stimulus. After the change of leadership in

Canberra, we moved our November ‘15 rate cut call back to Feb ‘16. Weak Q3 CPI on the 28th of October (at bottom of RBA targeted band) plus rate hikes from big 4 banks have solidified the probability of a return to actively lower RBA rates. In fact, short dated markets had the probability of a November RBA cut as high as 68% post CPI data, however, we believe the RBA will wait for the New Year (Feb ’16) before responding to the significant tightening of financial conditions in Australia from higher bank mortgage rates.

FUND HIGHLIGHTS & POSITIONING

JAMIESON COOTE BONDS ACTIVE FUND GAINED 0.85% GROSS DURING OCTOBER

We continued to hold lighter positioning as we believe the market will remain volatile. New bond issuance provided the best trading opportunities of the month with large supply concessions available in the new 24yr ACGB 39’s and new 13yr TCV 28’s bond which generated the majority of our performance for the month vs a at return on the index.

Both issues came with a generous supply concession that we felt would normalize after the issuance process, hence providing excellent opportunity for the fund to harness. We had previously highlighted a preference for curve flattening exposure in the portfolio, however, over the month it became apparent that stability in oil prices, widening of US break-evens inflation rates, the begin CPI print in Australia plus mortgage rates hikes are all supportive of steepening exposure. We set steepening exposure throughout the month and will retain through the November RBA meeting.

We remain cautious on the RBA’s ability to deliver rate cuts in a short time frame into year-end, however post the CPI data we are very condent they will re instate an explicit easing bias at the November board meeting, thereby supporting the rates complex into 2016. We have moved the fund shorter in duration after a period of strong performance, reinvesting the proceeds in very short dated state government paper while we await better valuations to re invest. This adjustment has resulted in a higher month end holding of semi (state) government bonds whilst we await opportunity to buy longer duration assets.

MARKET UPDATE NOVEMBER 2015

JCB Active fund is up 5.50 % (gross) since inception in Dec ’14 running a long only AAA and AA+ rated Government

Bond Fund.

BOOM TIME EMPLOYMENT REPORT BUT CAPEX SHOCKER (AGAIN) AND THE MOST ANTICIPATED AND

POORLY REPORTED RATE HIKE IN HISTORY

Where did our first year go? We only seem to have launched yesterday and yet JCB is into its 2nd year as a trading

fund, having returned over 5.50% in our first 12 months investing in predominantly AAA (some AA+) rated Government Guaranteed bonds. This has vastly outperformed Australian equity indices and cash deposit returns over a similar investment period. So what’s is ahead for the 2nd year?

It may surprise you to know that Australian employment is booming. Literally ‘’o the charts’’ booming. According to

the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), employment in November has only been surpassed by the job growth of

March 2012 and job growth of September 2004 - that really was boom time! So the 3rd best employment report in

over 10 years?

Normally, at this point as an investor, I usually check to see if I’m standing on a trap door, but alas they are the official figures. We could almost ll the MCG with all the new jobs that have apparently been created in November alone. If you are wondering what to buy for your Kris Kringle this year, then buy a calculator, in the hope that someone might pass it to the ABS, because they sure can do with some help!

The ABS have been altering the seasonally adjusted data of late and we believe this has caused significant statistical

noise to the data. Markets shoot first and ask questions later. This employment report hurt bond markets in November, recalibrating RBA expectations into year-end which also saw the AUD currency stage a meaningful rally towards 73 cents vs USD. Importantly the AUD is now back to almost unchanged levels from earlier in the year on a trade weighted basis. Most commentators discuss the currency vs USD, but over the year much of the move down from parity vs the USD was in fact USD strengthening rather than AUD weakness. This is really important as Australia doesn’t really trade much with the US anymore (aside technology, planes and medical equipment), with most of Australia’s trade partners being in Asia or Europe. Quantitative easing has seen both the JPY and EUR fall aggressively also this year, making the trade weighted basket value of AUD only mildly lower (RBA favoured measure of watching the currency).

To rebalance the economy, Australia needs a lower currency (trade weighted) and this is what will ultimately drive Mr

Stevens and Co back to the rate cutting table in 2016. They are reluctant rate cutters no doubt, but the fundamentals

win in the end and significant headwinds remain. In November CAPEX fell by 9.2% (ouch) following a fall of 4.6% in

August. These are recessionary numbers with regard to business investment. Inflation (CPI) is at low end of the RBA

target band and financial conditions are tightening via bank rate hikes on loans and a stronger AUD. Commodity and

energy markets remain in free fall. Mr Steven’s suggested we ‘’chill out’’ ahead of the holidays. Last year in December

the RBA’s official position was ‘’a period of stability (in rates) is warranted.’’ The RBA cut rates in February without any prior warning. So ‘chill out’ folks, nothing to see here on the domestic front, aside a little more economic decay……

Moving offshore the FOMC will raise short term interest rates on December 17th. This will be one of the most

anticipated and poorly reported rate hikes in history. Anticipated because every media outlet around the world is

obsessed with a Central Bank trying to hike interest rates (remember with ECB rate cut to negative 30 bps last week

we are now at 691 rate cuts or stimulus programs globally since GFC) and poorly reported because most of the media reporting on the FOMC know very little about rates markets and the EFFECT of the policy move so will focus on the hysteria of the move rather than the implications and effects.

The FOMC rate cycle will be slow and shallow, because if it is not and rate move substantially higher the $57 trillion of newly created debt since the GFC will be at serious risk of default with chaotic consequences. That would make the GFC look a dressed rehearsal for the main event. The rate cycle must be shallow because any way we work through the FLOW of funds thereafter, the results all end at the same place, which is financial market pain.

Let’s use the assumption that the FOMC hikes 100 bps over 2016. Short dated rates will rise (long dated rates are

driven by funding, inflation, GDP, supply demand etc not just FOMC). With a rise in short end USD rates, capital will

ow into USD’s to earn carry (as most of developed world has zero or negative interest rates, thereby making the USD materially stronger). Domestically, the USD becomes less competitive with a higher currency and 40% of S&P equity earnings are based oshore so earning will decay.

Most of the $57 trillion in debt issued since GFC is denominated in USD, issued by emerging market countries.

A stronger USD makes those debts grow, plus the rise in interest rates makes them harder to fund or service. As a

result, emerging markets suffer. Commodity and Energy producers are based in USD, as is the Chinese economy with a pegged currency. Neither will enjoy a materially stronger USD, and so the flows become cyclical as the US economy cools, earnings suffer, emerging markets and commodities tank, bringing us right back to where we started. Addicted to financial stimulus.

When the FOMC hike in December the move will be accompanied by dovish language, re enforcing a wait and see

approach on rates. We expect the FOMC to acknowledge a significantly lower terminal rate expectation than current

market forecasts. Under this scenario, we see the rates complex being broadly benign over time within a tight

valuation range, although large current short positioning can lead to a short covering rally in rates markets into year

end and beyond.

MARKET UPDATE DECEMBER 2015

JCB Active fund is up 5.75 % (gross) since inception in Dec ’14 running a long only AAA and AA+ rated Government

Bond Fund

RATE HIKES ARE LIKE DRINKING MARTINI’S, CHINA’S MANAGED YUAN DEPRECIATION, ASYMMETRIC

RISK OUTCOMES AND A FEW THINGS TO WATCH IN 2016.

My old boss from New York came to stay over the holidays and asked if I could make him a martini for his afternoon drink. Along time ago, as the new kid on the Merrill Lynch bond trading floor in New York, I found out the hard way that to many martini's can be a very bad thing.  One is fine, it can actually be quite pleasant at the end of the day, two maybe passable, but any more is outright dangerous. And so it is with hiking interest rates in a heavily indebted global economy.  A few is possible, but any more and watch out, financial markets will be in a lot of trouble.

The US Federal Reserve (FOMC) rate hiking cycle will be slow and shallow, because the newly minted $57 trillion of global debt created since the GFC requires servicing and re issuance – both of which require low rates to avoid debt default. The rate cycle must remain shallow because if it doesn't, any way we work through the FLOW of funds thereafter, the results all end at the same place, being substantial financial market pain – and nobody wants that, least of all the FOMC who have invested $4.5 trillion dollars in various QE programs to avoid financial pain. The more likely path for rates in the near term is one or two hikes, leading to material market and data decay, followed by some kind of stimulus program, most likely an operation twist (selling short dated bonds and buying longer dated bonds to ease financial conditions).

After talking of rate hikes all year, in order to maintain credibility the FOMC needed to deliver. The December ’15 move is the first time in history the FOMC have hiked rates with two consecutive sub 50 ISM data prints (ie manufacturing contraction). GDP data was also weaker than at the launch of QE3 in Sept 2012 where the FOMC was prepared to do QE in unlimited size. We believe the economy still remains sub trend, and any rate hikes will slow economic data going forward.  We expect risk markets to suffer as a result of this hike, and the bond market will be well supported. Ordinarily, long dated bonds perform very well from the commencement of the first rate hike (in 2005 long dated bonds rallied 80 bps) in expectation of lower inflation and GDP growth and tighter financial conditions ahead. This cycle will be no different, and we are very comfortable owning duration after the Dec FOMC meeting.

One of the major themes we have marketed in December during our one on one’s has been the continued managed Chinese currency depreciation. As the USD has appreciated, China’s USD peg is unwelcome in Beijing and we expect continued managed depreciation over 2016. This exports deflation across the region and has potential to upset risk markets.

2016 looks to be a year of asymmetric risk outcomes (unfortunately skewed to the downside for many financial assets). Barring significant further central bank stimulus, it is hard to foresee what would drive asset prices materially higher. However, there are a number of issues looming on the horizon that can upset the apple cart. Energy and commodity markets will continue to weigh on risk sentiment as over supplied sectors continue to decay. With large debt maturities to be rolled forward (refinanced) in the second half of 2016, continued caution seems prudent in the energy space. Other things to watch are a resurgence of Europe’s immigration crisis coming out of winter (it’s hard to walk in the snow), further issues in the Greece debt crisis (this hasn’t gone away) and a Donald Trump Republican Presidential nomination. Geopolitics is also on the list after an eventful 2015. Russia's Putin took to the Middle East bombing campaign with fury, Erdogan of Turkey shot down a Russian fighter jet, ISIS sponsored terrorism continued across the globe, and the U.S directly challenged China, sailing a frigate through the South China Sea. In China Jinping took further measures to centralise authority and Japan’s Shinzo Abe pushed ahead with reform to re militarise.

Economic prosperity has helped keep much of the globe stable. Lets hope falling oil and commodity markets coupled with difficult emerging market conditions doesn't lead us to conflict in 2016.

FUND HIGHLIGHTS

Jamieson Coote Bonds Active Fund gained 0.26% (gross) in December, under performing the market by 0.19%.

In keeping with our core capital preservation objective, we positioned the portfolio cautiously through early December, where we believed we would need to navigate the first FOMC rate hike in almost 10 years. With improved clarity after the FOMC, we adding positioning to the portfolio to capture roll and carry over the Christmas holiday period by increasing basis positions to maximise carry.

MARKET UPDATE DECEMBER 2014

OUTLOOK FOR MARKETS AS AT DEC 31ST 2014  - AUSTRALIAN HEADWINDS

2015 looks to be a very challenging year for Australian investors with significant increases in volatility and a lack of clear directionality (this should increase risk premiums). Domestically the economy continues to rebalance away from a mining capex and commodity boom and faces rising unemployment pressures. RBA Governor Stevens continues to remind markets that the AUD needs to fall significantly to ease and cushion this effect. Whilst the AUD has cheapened significantly vs USD over 2014 declining 8.3%, it is important to note that on a trade weighted basis the currency has only cheapened~ 3.5%.

JCB retains our long held view that the RBA will cut interest rates by a total of 50bp in H2 2015 as unemployment continues to rise and bad and doubtful debt provisions increase and drag on bank balance sheets. The banking sector will be exposed to continued routs in commodity and energy complex putting pressure on the refinancing of loans and ultimately business failures. This spells troubled times ahead for the Australian story and increases the risk of Australia’s first recession in a generation.

In 2015 JCB believes Australian equities will trade sideways at best, with the strong possibility of a negative year for the ASX 200. JCB views equity market commentators suggesting that particular stocks have bond like qualities as absurd. Telstra may be a great stock but it will be subject to macro events on equity markets just like other stocks would. Bonds are Bonds. They share no similarities to stocks whatsoever. Telstra should not rally if the ASX is off 10%. Australian Government Bonds should.

Further afield the economic story is vastly different. The US economy and USD has decoupled from many markets and remains the shining light within the global economy and as such JCBAF expect the US Federal Reserve to commence policy normalization in late 2015. Conversely Europe and Japan continue to face adverse headwinds from a lack of structural reform, ageing populations and a lingering debt burden from the GFC. We expect both Europe and Japan to provide global liquidity with Quantitative Easing programs replacing the void created by the end of US Federal Reserve QE3.

Finally some of the known unknowns that we will monitor closely over the year include. A credit crisis triggered by large scale defaults arising from the oil price collapse pressuring refinancing of energy sector debt, a surging USD causing large scale capital flight from emerging markets, Greece leaving the Euro, further economic turmoil in Russia emerging from sanctions coupled with lower oil revenue, and terrorism effecting global confidence.

Domestically we feel that the upcoming Federal Budget will soften further with the Government stuck in an increasingly difficult situation especially as the economy sours.

JCB forecasts the 10yr Australian Government Bond rate could trade as low as 1.80% over the course of the year depending on the sequencing of the above mentioned events.

Jamieson Coote Bonds Pty Ltd ABN 12 165 890 28 AFSL 459018 is the issuer of units in the Jamieson Coote Bonds Active Fund. The fund is only available to wholesale clients or sophisticated investors as defined by ASIC. Investors should consider the Information Memorandum (IM) in deciding whether to acquire or continue to hold units in the fund. The IM is available at www.JamiesonCooteBonds.com.au or by calling (03) 9653 9255. The above report is not personal advice and does not take into account individual investment objectives. Future performance is unknown and should not be based on past performance. This report contains forward looking statements, opinions and estimates which are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Forward looking statements constitute best judgment at the time of writing and are subject to immediate change in the fluid and unknown future. Actual events are likely to be materially different, positive or negative, from those reflected in forward-looking statements.

Investments in the fund are not deposits with or liabilities of Jamieson Coote Bonds Pty Ltd and are subject to investment risk. A list of possible risks are available in the funds IM and should be fully considered prior to investment.

FUND HIGHLIGHTS & POSITIONING

Jamieson Coote Bonds hosted an opening luncheon on Friday 28th November with The Hon Josh Frydenberg MP (Assistant Treasurer of Commonwealth of Australia) as guest speaker officially launching the Jamieson Coote Bonds Active Fund (JCBAF).

JCBAF embarked throughout early December on conservatively testing the funds systems and checking processes, custodian arrangements, reconciliations, automated risk and report generation etc to make sure all was in order, operating according to plan and contract. We likened this period to a pre-flight safety check. In doing this testing we completed 5 small Government Bond trades and generated positive returns of 0.76% (net of fee’s) on funds under management in line with our high single digit returns investment objectives. The fund will commence a full month of investment starting Jan 1st 2015, from which time we will commence calculations of fund returns vs benchmark.