January 2018
QUARTER TO 31 DEC 2017 |
The S&P/ASX 300 Accumulation Index had a strong finish to the 2017 calendar year, adding 7.74% for the December quarter and 11.94% for the 12 months to 31 December. Energy and Information Technology were the top performers for the quarter with all market sectors delivering a positive return.
Our portfolios, Australian Shares, High Yield Australian Shares and Smaller Companies, delivered investors 6.51%, 6.20% and 10.29%, respectively at the end of the quarter, although our underweight exposure to Materials, principally resource stocks, saw us underperform the market during the period.
Ralton Australian Shares portfolio
The portfolio returned 6.51% for the December quarter underperforming its benchmark which was largely driven by our underweight exposure to the Materials sector.
Ralton High Yield Australian Shares portfolio
During the December quarter, we had a number of opportunities to add yield to the portfolio at valuations better than we have seen for some time.
Ralton Smaller Companies portfolio
Beach Petroleum, NextDC and Speedcast were key contributors to the portfolio during the quarter with NextDC now up almost 65% rolling year.
Ralton Leaders portfolio
The Ralton Leaders portfolio added 6.68% in the quarter, underperforming the benchmark by 0.39%. Our overweight exposure
to Consumer Discretionary and stock selection within Industrials and Health Care each added value to the portfolio. Offsetting these gains was negative stock selection within Real Estate, our underweight exposure to Materials and further, our modest cash exposure in a rising market.