Another busy quarter at MitonOptimal, both in South Africa and our International Operations. As we climb the wall of worry around the world of Ebola, Middle Eastern conflict, ISIL, Scottish Referendums and the exit of QE, it is not surprising that volatility is starting to rise. The almost uninterrupted, upwards movement of global equities for 3 years, until mid-year, with very low levels of drawdowns or volatility, had become unsustainable. Not surprisingly, the end of the third quarter witnessed an increase in both, with our advisory and fund management portfolios well positioned prior to the events.
This Quarterly Newsletter appropriately includes an external underlying manager comment from 36 South, our core tail risk/volatility fund manager. Principal of 36 South, Jerry Howarth, highlights what we have also been saying for some time, the cheapest asset class about is volatility, and paying a small insurance premium for future protection is sensible before the event, not after. With a South African and New Zealand pedigree, how could he go wrong?
Also in this newsletter, Professor Evan Gilbert looks at commodities as an asset class, and we cover the globe with our international and domestic asset allocation reviews.
An extremely topical and important industry development for us at MitonOptimal is the growth in the use of Discretionary Investment Managers, (“DIMs”) by financial advisers, to provide optimal client portfolio management to their clients. Our Chief Operating Officer Rob Macdonald looks at the process of selecting and appointing such an external investment advisor.
Finally, it’s with great delight that I announce the promotion of Phil Penrose to Director of International Sales, across our international operations. Phil has been with MitonOptimal for 3 years and delivered beyond expectations in his previous role as Sales Director for Asia and Middle East. In his new role Phil will be responsible for the distribution of MitonOptimal’s funds and advisory services’ solutions across our core international markets, including his old patch, but will be earning some more air miles as we have added most of the globe outside of South Africa. Well done Phil and keep up the good work.
Thanks to all our clients, financial planners and institutional consultants for the support we have received in the year so far, and may the final quarter of the year prove to be as rewarding.
