Ninepoint Global Infrastructure Fund

November 2022 Commentary

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Year-to-date to November 30, the Ninepoint Global Infrastructure Fund generated a total return of 3.97% compared to the MSCI World Core Infrastructure Index, which generated a total return of 1.63%. For the month, the Fund generated a total return of 4.96% while the Index generated a total return of 7.17%.

As we enter the final month of the year, investors are looking to salvage what has been an incredibly difficult period for both global equities and bonds, with both asset classes plunging together. Without a doubt, equities have been disappointing, but bonds look set to record the worst performance in about 150 years. Although the absolute level of current interest rates may not be extreme, the pace of tightening in response to elevated inflation has been one of the fastest ever (the Fed has raised rates 375 bps from March to November and we expect another hike of 50 bps in December). As a result, equity investors are scrambling to adjust earnings multiples, bond investors are scrambling to adjust prices and corporations are scrambling to shore up balance sheets.

So, what must go right for the typical positive seasonality to kick in? Investors are likely focused on three key events before we can look ahead to 2023. We first had to get through Chairman Powell’s speech at the Brookings Institution on November 30. Investors were anxious and cautiously positioned ahead of the event, fearing a potential repeat of Powell’s speech at Jackson Hole last August, which was viewed as incredibly hawkish. Thankfully, this time around, Powell acknowledged that the full effect of rate hikes had yet to be felt and was more measured in his assessment of future risks to the economy. His prepared remarked seemed to suggest that rate hikes would slow to 50 bps in December and that the end of the tightening cycle could be as soon as next February or March. As we’ve said before, the beginning of the taper and the end of the tightening cycle is probably near, and most asset classes rallied hard on the day.

Investors have now turned their attention toward the final CPI release of the year, due to be announced on December 13. Recall that we’ve already seen the October CPI numbers moving in the right direction (up 7.7% in October year over year but the smallest increase since January 2022, compared to up 8.2% in September). Although shelter costs remain elevated (and will likely remain elevated through much of 2023), used cars & trucks, medical care, apparel, and airline fare indexes all declined in October. If the upcoming CPI release for November shows a continuation of these trends, it would provide additional confirmation that the terminal interest rate for the cycle is within sight.

Investors won’t have to wait long for the Fed’s reaction to the CPI print, since the last FOMC meeting of the year happens the day after this important economic release. Given the tone of Powell’s speech at Brookings, we believe that it is reasonable to expect that the pace of tightening will begin to taper on December 14, with the Fed hiking 50 bps to reach 4.50%. The Chairman’s speech and subsequent Q+A session will be particularly important to our understanding of the Fed’s thinking on monetary policy and the concurrent release of the Fed’s Summary of Economic Projections will likely contain crucial details regarding GDP growth expectations, unemployment forecasts and Fed Funds rate guidance. But if the tone and projections are consistent with our view of the macroeconomic environment, the terminal rate for the cycle could occur as soon as February or March of 2023. Should this play out as expected, we would anticipate the traditional rally over the final few weeks of 2022.

Into 2023, in an environment of gently moderating inflation but slowing growth, the most important drivers of investment performance will likely be valuation, balance sheet strength and the ability to consistently generate cash flow and earnings. Also, a greater component of total returns will likely come from dividend yields, which meshes nicely with our investment philosophy. In keeping with our mandates, we are concentrating our efforts on free cash flow positive, high quality, dividend growth companies and real asset investments given our positive assessment of the risk/reward outlook over the next two to three years.

Top contributors to the year-to-date performance of the Ninepoint Global Infrastructure Fund by sector included Energy (+514 bps), Utilities (+369 bps) and Information Technology (+61 bps) while top detractors by sector included Real Estate (-326 bps) and Industrials (-7 bps) on an absolute basis.

On a relative basis, positive return contributions from the Utilities (+365 bps), Energy (+73 bps) and Information Technology (+63 bps) sectors were offset by a negative contribution from the Industrials (-129 bps) sector.

We are currently overweight the Energy and Real Estate sectors and underweight the Utilities and Industrials sectors. With signs of a global slowdown materializing and commentary from the US Federal Reserve suggesting that interest rates will remain higher for longer, we have been focused on the Utilities sector (our largest absolute weight given its defensive characteristics) and the Energy Sector (our largest relative overweight given its attractive valuation). Although we expect the Fed to pause interest rate hikes in 2023, we are carefully watching for the negative earnings revision cycle to bottom and unemployment to peak to signal the start of a new equity bull market.

The stock market leaders over the next decade are unlikely to be the leaders of past cycles but one of the biggest investment themes in the coming years is likely to be the energy transition story. During this shift (partially) away from traditional fossil fuels toward a (greater proportion of) renewable energy sources, the infrastructure asset class stands to be a clear beneficiary. Therefore, we are comfortable having exposure to both traditional energy investments (primarily through Oil & Gas Storage & Transportation assets) and renewable energy investments (including clean power technologies) given the importance of sustainability and security of supply.

The Ninepoint Global Infrastructure Fund was concentrated in 30 positions as at November 30, 2022 with the top 10 holdings accounting for approximately 38.3% of the fund. Over the prior fiscal year, 17 out of our 30 holdings have announced a dividend increase, with an average hike of 6.3% (median hike of 4.0%). Using a total infrastructure approach, we will continue to apply a disciplined investment process, balancing valuation, growth and yield in an effort to generate solid risk-adjusted returns.

Jeffrey Sayer, CFA
Ninepoint Partners

1 All returns and fund details are a) based on Series F units; b) net of fees; c) annualized if period is greater than one year; d) as at November 30, 2022; e) 2011 annual returns are from 09/01/11 to 12/31/11. The index is 100% MSCI World Core Infrastructure NR (CAD) and is computed by Ninepoint Partners LP based on publicly available index information.

The Fund is generally exposed to the following risks. See the prospectus of the Fund for a description of these risks: capital depletion risk; concentration risk; credit risk; currency risk; cybersecurity risk; derivatives risk; exchange traded funds risk; foreign investment risk; income trust risk; inflation risk; interest rate risk; liquidity risk; market risk; regulatory risk; securities lending, repurchase and reverse purchase transaction risk; series risk; short selling risk; small company risk; specific issuer risk; tax risk.

Ninepoint Partners LP is the investment manager to the Ninepoint Funds (collectively, the “Funds”). Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees, performance fees (if any), other charges and expenses all may be associated with mutual fund investments. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing. The indicated rate of return for series F units of the Fund for the period ended November 30, 2022 is based on the historical annual compounded total return including changes in unit value and reinvestment of all distributions and does not take into account sales, redemption, distribution or optional charges or income taxes payable by any unitholder that would have reduced returns.  Mutual funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. The information contained herein does not constitute an offer or solicitation by anyone in the United States or in any other jurisdiction in which such an offer or solicitation is not authorized or to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such an offer or solicitation. Prospective investors who are not resident in Canada should contact their financial advisor to determine whether securities of the Fund may be lawfully sold in their jurisdiction.

The opinions, estimates and projections (“information”) contained within this report are solely those of Ninepoint Partners LP and are subject to change without notice. Ninepoint Partners makes every effort to ensure that the information has been derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, Ninepoint Partners assumes no responsibility for any losses or damages, whether direct or indirect, which arise out of the use of this information. Ninepoint Partners is not under any obligation to update or keep current the information contained herein. The information should not be regarded by recipients as a substitute for the exercise of their own judgment. Please contact your own personal advisor on your particular circumstances. Views expressed regarding a particular company, security, industry or market sector should not be considered an indication of trading intent of any investment funds managed by Ninepoint Partners. Any reference to a particular company is for illustrative purposes only and should not to be considered as investment advice or a recommendation to buy or sell nor should it be considered as an indication of how the portfolio of any investment fund managed by Ninepoint Partners is or will be invested. Ninepoint Partners LP and/or its affiliates may collectively beneficially own/control 1% or more of any class of the equity securities of the issuers mentioned in this report. Ninepoint Partners LP and/or its affiliates may hold short position in any class of the equity securities of the issuers mentioned in this report. During the preceding 12 months, Ninepoint Partners LP and/or its affiliates may have received remuneration other than normal course investment advisory or trade execution services from the issuers mentioned in this report.

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