Newsletter Q3 2021
Economy & Capital Markets:
In September the US Fed, revised expectations of 2021 growth down to 5.9% and inflation up to 4.2% whilst, indicating the Federal Funds rate will rise to 0.3% in 2022 and then to 1% in 2023.
The Peoples Bank of China views: contact-based consumption constrained, problems for small businesses and manufacturing and, fiscal imbalances for several regional governments. However, in a refreshing contrast to western bureaucrats, will maintain money supply in-line with economic growth and leverage stable. It will manage the RMB with reference to a basket of currencies, currency flows and balance of payments. It also seeks to improve bond default resolution and to stabilise land and house prices. The 14th Five Year Plan commenced in 2021 and, in Q2 2021 monetary policy returned to normal as before the pandemic.
Kings’ Portfolio (Global Mega Cap Long/Short Equity Investing):
In Q3 2021 the Kings portfolio returned 1.6% (7.2% ytd) with a 0.66 Sharp (0.69) out-performing both the World & US indices on a risk adjusted basis (Sharp). Relative out-performance was due to contribution from our short positions. Top contributors were long Paladin Energy 1.21% (Australian uranium), short Brilliance China Automotive 1.08%, short Fibrogen 0.86% (US pharmaceuticals). Biggest detractors were our legacy long position in GBP -1.93% and a long position in Xtep International -0.63% (Chinese sportswear).
Belsize Strategy (Macro & Global Futures Trading):
In May, with the advancement of the firms AI abilities, this long-standing strategy which provided excellent returns during the 2007/8 financial crisis was restated. Results are steady improving inline with trading, risk limitation and machine learning calibration, and they finally overcome some expected short term fluctuations to produce a profit in the last month.
Private Equity Strategy (Illiquid Investments):
In 2021 Q2 the firm added five position (including reservations) to its first venture capital investment in 2019. Sector breakdown now stands at: 29% media & entertainment, 22% communications, 18% real estate, 18% finance and, 8% food and beverage. The technology breakdown in the portfolio consists of 60% apps, 20% hardware, 10% sharing economy and 10% e-commerce. The firm makes no positive discrimination except for the combination of good ideas and teams, however the initial investment was to a female managed business and, we have further invested in one black and two Latin managed businesses.
Crypto Currency Strategy (Inter-day Trading):
Due to the rapid development of the firm’s proprietary AI, in June a crypto trading strategy was initiated, across 11 currencies each with a market capitalisation over $1Bn. Trading, risk limitation and machine learning calibration is a continuous process. The fist two months of the quarter provided excellent results whilst in the last month these were reduced due to adverse news flow and the growing sophistication of market participants.
Artificial Intelligence & Technology Development:
Early in Q1 2021 the firm completed its software development target for the year. Apart from further improved accuracy of decision making, a surprising offshoot was increased speed. This has allowed far greater diversification across instruments and time horizons. The firm now looks to improve its human language analysis specifically truth and deception. The firm also looks to develop consultancy and possibly software offerings.
Firm Operational Update:
Since 2015 the firm has been maintained as a Californian Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) within FINRA and SEC USA government oversight. At present the firm’s administrative headquarters are in London, UK; if global travel restrictions return to pre-Covid levels we expect this to be more fluid.
Impact Investing:
The firm looks to develop infrastructure for the deployment of capital in impact investing over the next five years.
Kings’ Portfolio Tear Sheet 2021 Q2
Steven J Cohen CFA Newsletter Q2 2021
Economy & Capital Markets:
In June the US Fed, improved expectations of 2021 growth to 7% and inflation to 3.4% and, indicated that they expect to increase interest rates to 0.6% in 2023, a long way off.
The PB of China views: resident consumption constrained, problems for small businesses and fiscal imbalances for several regional governments. However, in a refreshing contrast to western bureaucrats, will maintain money supply and leverage in-step with economic growth. It will manage the RMB with reference to a basket of currencies, currency flows and balance of payments. It also seeks to improve bond default resolution and to stabilise land and house prices.
Kings’ Portfolio (Global Mega Cap Long/Short Equity Investing):
In the first half the dollar portfolio returned 5.48% with a 0.7 Sharp, whilst the S&P500 returned 14.42% and the ACWI 12.34%. The portfolio suffered a 6% decline in the last month impacted by market rebalancing to accommodate the US Fed’s interest rate expectation. Japanese basic material companies: Tokai Carbon and Ube Industries contributing -1.4% and -1.1% to the fall. US healthcare company Evolent Health and shorting UK technology company Micro Focus also contributed -0.75% and -0.63% with, the portfolio’s natural US dollar short position adding -0.98%. At the end of the period the portfolio held a very conservative 65% in cash.
Belsize Strategy (Macro & Global Futures Trading):
With the advancement of the firms AI abilities, this long-standing strategy which provided excellent returns during the 2007/8 financial crisis was restated in May. A small loss was reported, inline with expectations that were impacted by the US Fed’s acknowledgement of a need to bring forward interest rates increases. Operational procedures are developing.
Private Equity Strategy (Illiquid Investments):
During the period the firm added five position (including reservations) to its first venture capital investment in 2019. Sector breakdown now stands at: 29% media & entertainment, 22% communications, 18% real estate, 18% finance and, 8% food and beverage. The technology breakdown in the portfolio consists of 60% apps, 20% hardware, 10% sharing economy and 10% e-commerce. The firm makes no positive discrimination except for the combination of good ideas and teams, however the initial investment was to a female managed business and, we have further invested in one black and two Latin managed businesses.
Crypto Currency Strategy (Inter-day Trading):
Due to the rapid development of the firm’s proprietary AI, in June a crypto trading strategy was initiated, across 11 currencies each with a market capitalisation over $1Bn. Operational activities are being fine-tuned to accommodate the AI decision-making within the firms risk limitations. The results were inline with expectations given market conditions, with a small profit. This strategy is not expected to be available for external parties.
Artificial Intelligence & Technology Development:
During in the first month of the quarter the firm completed its software development target for the year. Apart from further improved accuracy of decision making, a surprising offshoot was increased speed. This has allowed far greater diversification across instruments and time horizons.
Firm Operational Update:
Since 2015 the firm has been maintained as a Californian Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) within FINRA and SEC USA government oversight. At present the firm’s administrative headquarters are in London, UK; if global travel restrictions return to pre-Covd levels we expect this to be more fluid.
Kings Portfolio Newsletter Q1 2021
Economy & Capital Markets:
During the period yields on the 10 year US Treasury increased to 1.76% from 0.67% a year ago, but 1 year bill yields fell to 0.07% from 0.15%, whilst the US Federal Reserve projected inflation for 2021 of 2.4% falling back to 2% next year. With negative real yields across the curve, capital markets remained relaxed about the emergence of inflation, allowing an interpretation of the steepening of the curve, as a better risk/reward environment. However the suspension of commercial bank emergency reserve exemption measures did see ripples in equity markets. With low coupons, government borrowings have ballooned out to levels that remain difficult for future generations to return the principal through taxation, contrasting with the post-WWII beneficial demographics. Increased US long yields contributed to a recovery in the US dollar and pressured gold.
Whilst proposals to lift the US corporate tax rate to 28% from 21% do little to encourage entrepreneurialism, they do indicate a level of fiscal responsibility missing from the last 20 years as the present administration fulfill campaign infrastructure promises.
Indication of over 300% total debt to GDP in China give the PBOC little opportunity to raise interest rates that would severely reduce profits of the highly leveraged property sector. However domestic demographic and technology impact on inflation continue to depress that need.
Performance:
In the first quarter the dollar portfolio returned 6.2% with a 1.5 Sharp, whilst the S&P500 returned 5.8% and the ACWI 4.9%. At the end of the period the portfolio held 27% cash and, had a 41% net long position in basic materials, 18% in consumer cyclicals and 15% in financials. Best positions were Nippon Yusen KK (Japanese shipping) contributing 2.6% to total performance, Short JPY 1.8%, Danieli & Co (Italian metals) 1.5%, Tronox Holdings (US titanium) 0.9% and Komatsu (Japan construction machinery) 0.9%.
Firm:
The firm maintained it’s Californian financial licence allowing it’s global client base to be protected under Californian (USA) laws and regulations.
Kings Portfolio Tear Sheet 2021Q1
Kings Portfolio Newsletter Q4 2020
Economy & Capital Markets:
Uncertainties in 2020 (Brexit, Covid, US elections, elongation of the economic cycle) have now dissipated. Unemployment remains elevated and inflation absent, permitting central bankers to continue their folly of creating massive wealth inequality through near to zero interest rates, as apposed to increasing the volocity of money. Interestingly governments across the world are now reviewing their policy of encouraging corporate monopolies eg Ant (China) & Facebook (USA), which should assist somewhat in reducing inequality caused by central banks.
Performance:
For the year the dollar portfolio returned 12% with a 1.32 Sharp, equivalent to 75% of the S&P 500 or ACWI gains with an incredible 25% of the volatility. Longs contributed 8.13% and shorts 3.92%. Biggest contribution to gains where positions in Sunrise Communications Group, Sumitomo Metal Mining, GBP, Everaz PLC and Sasol Ltd, whilst we lost on Air Canada, Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, USD, EQT Corp and Voya Financial Inc.
Development:
Intra & daily trading artificial intelligence was successfully developed. However optimal leverage in trading positions amplify operational risks too great for third parties.
For the firm, the biggest challenge of the year was several vendors unexpectedly modifying software (API). This was overcome in a timely manner though multiple additional techniques to benefit future data access.
Firm:
The firm’s administrative offices return to London from Zurich at the end of January 2021. The firm relinquished its Swiss financial licence and will seek to continue to operate under its Californian financial licence.
Kings Portfolio Tear sheet Q4 2020
Kings Portfolio Newsletter Q3 2020
Economy & Capital Markets
US equity markets moved to new all-time highs and the fastest ever recovery from a bear market as, Central Bank liquidity moved to assets whilst avoiding the huge economic capacity. In a well flagged move the US Federal Reserve Bank now target (excess) average inflation as a policy goal, that had led to sharp declines in the US dollar. In the previous ten years the Reserve Bank already failed the lower bar of MEETING its annual inflation target.
Politicians continue to target headline GDP that increase their power, a different policy goal than increasing their citizens income (or GDP/head and its statistical distribution). Further newborn US citizens are now responsible for $90,000 in government debt as the Treasury borrows from their future.
Productivity of the digital economy is being realised. In service sectors the acceptance of work from home allows, reduced property costs for employers and reduced travel fees and times for employees. For consumption sectors purchasing on-line boost distribution players and robots reduce the need for humans in production process’. However most human animals require social contact and experience that is not acceptable digitally even in the best virtual environments, this will maintain a proportion of the pre-pandemic order.
Performance
In the first three quarters of the year the Kings portfolio returned 6.04% (sharp 1.29) whist the S&P 500 returned 4.09% (0.33) and the ACWI 1.69% (0.21). Winning positions for the third quarter were longs: Freshpet (US fresh dog food) gaining 36%, Sunrise Communications (Swiss telecom subject to takeover) 32%, Penn National Gaming (US casinos) 30%, Avon Rubber (UK personal protection products) 28% and JD.com (Chinese online retail) 26%; and shorts: Husky Energy (Canadian oil and gas) falling 33%.
Development
Artificial Intelligent Deep Learning utilising hardware purchased two years ago is progressing ahead of schedule and providing very promising results.