Portfolio Update - 30 April 2021

RNS Number : 9166Y

NB Global Monthly Income Fund Ltd

18 May 2021

 

NOT FOR RELEASE, DISTRIBUTION OR PUBLICATION, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, TO U.S. PERSONS OR INTO OR IN THE UNITED STATES, AUSTRALIA, CANADA OR JAPAN.

17^th May 2021

NB Global Monthly Income Fund*

Monthly Commentary & Portfolio Update

30th  April 2021

Key statistics

NAV (GBP)	GBP 0.9508
Current Portfolio Yield**	6.19%
Number of Investments	278
Number of Issuers	195

Asset allocation:

	Global High Yield:		29.66%
	Global Floating Rate Loans:		44.08%
Total Traditional Credit:			73.74%
	Private Debt:		15.22%
	CLO Mezzanine Debt:		7.75%
	Special Situations:		3.29%
Total Alternative Credit:			26.26%

Credit rating breakdown: as at 30th April (excluding cash), the portfolio was invested primarily in B (50.38%) and BBB/BB (14.81%) rated investments ¹

Market Update

Non-investment grade credit ended the month in positive territory with lower quality and distressed outperforming the higher quality segments of the markets. Improving issuer fundamentals, positive retail inflows in loans and high yield, record CLO originations along with better than expected macroeconomic data and rising inflation expectations fuelled investor interest in non-investment grade credit, which has much lower duration risk than other fixed income sectors.

Senior floating rate loans resumed the rally in April after being flat in March as the outlook for issuer fundamentals was supported by strong economic data and increasing expectations for solid real GDP growth in 2021 and 2022.  Rising inflation expectations, large positive retail inflows and strong new issue volume in CLOs amid a focus on interest rate risk also powered demand for loans. While the yield on the 10Y U.S. Treasury backed off from the 12-month high of 1.74%, finishing the month at 1.65%, year to date there was significant downward pressure on the returns of longer-duration, lower yielding fixed income. U.S. senior floating rate loans, as measured by the S&P/LSTA Leveraged Loan Index (the "S&P LLI"), returned 0.51% in April with the lowest quality outperforming as BB, B and CCC returned 0.28%, 0.50% and 1.30%, respectively. The LL100, a measure of the largest, most liquid issuers, returned 0.45% which also underperformed the total S&P LLI. The European Leveraged Loan Index (the "ELLI") returned 0.45% in April, excluding currency effects. Year to date through April 30th, the S&P LLI returned 2.30% and the ELLI returned 2.24%, excluding currency effects. The Second Lien Loans index was up 1.26% in the month and 6.54% year to date.

The global high yield bond market rallied in April and also saw strong new issuance and a resumption of inflows. The ICE BofA Global High Yield Constrained Index finished the month and year-to-date period with returns of 1.05% and 1.79%, respectively. Dispersion in returns across credit quality remained a feature of the market as the lowest quality issuers continued to rally with CCC and below rated issuers outperforming the broader index. The BB, B, CCC & lower rated categories of the ICE BofA Global High Yield Index returned 0.95%, 0.98%, and 1.47%, respectively.

CLO debt experienced a strong rally in April following modest weakness in March on account of the record primary market activity that had weighed on the market. The CLO BB Index gained 2.79% over the month. Fundamentally, the asset class has benefitted from the potential for incremental stimulus in the U.S. and further progress in vaccine distribution, as well as continued attractive relative value versus other fixed income assets, which has driven positive technical pressure in the CLO debt market.  

Defaults continued to decline materially in both U.S. and European non-investment grade credit, which is consistent with the start of a new credit cycle. Non-investment grade credit, especially given its lower duration profile, will likely continue to see favourable investor demand, especially given that 65% of the global bond market still yields less than 1%.

Yield levels and spreads in non-investment grade credit are more than compensating investors for the benign default outlook, will continue to provide durable income and are especially attractive compared to other fixed income alternatives. The economic recovery-which is proving to be strong and confirmed by recent GDP-should continue to be on solid footing which will translate into to better issuer fundamentals. We believe the portfolio is well positioned to take advantage of these trends and record new issuance is continuing to provide attractive investment opportunities.

Portfolio Positioning

Floating rate loans remain the largest allocation for the Fund at 44.1% and the overall Fund exposure to floating rate assets is at 68% leading to an average duration of 1.0yrs for the Fund as a whole.  Our current allocation to BBB/BB rated credits ended the month at 14.8% while our exposure to CCC and below rated names finished the month at 28.9% slightly down month on month.  The exposure to floating rate assets and lower rated issuers has been accretive to portfolio performance so far this year.  Oil & Gas has switched places with Healthcare as the largest individual sector exposure as several successful investments in Healthcare were realised.  The new issue markets were active in the period in spite of the Easter break in both loans and bonds and are a source of opportunity for the portfolio.  Amongst others, the Fund participated in a new bond issuance from Pfleiderer, a manufacturer of engineered wood products.  The bond includes a recent innovation in primary markets, the inclusion of a sustainability-linked coupon ratchet based on the company's performance against pre-defined carbon emission reduction goals.

Recent Investments

During April, the NB Global Monthly Income Fund Limited had the opportunity to participate in a funding round for Tecta America to fund an acquisition and dividend.  The company, headquartered in Illinois, is the leading commercial roofing provider in the US offering a suite of re-roofing, repair and maintenance services as well as new construction installation services for commercial buildings.  The loan notes we have participated in have a L+850bps coupon, benefit from a 75bps Libor floor and were issued at 98.5. Our constructive view is based on our expectation of a steady top line (largely non-discretionary nature of re-roofing which is 75% of profitability) and low capex needs so ample cashflow to service debt.

Following an early look pre-sounding process, the Fund also participated in a transaction to finance the acquisition of a stake in RSA by Clearlake.  RSA is a leading provider of IT risk management and cybersecurity solutions that are designed to effectively detect and respond to advanced attacks, manage user access control and reduce cyber fraud. The company's portfolio of products are sold to over 12,500 global enterprise customers including 90% of Fortune 100 organizations.  The fund has exposure via two tranches of loan notes, the first and second priority notes.  The 2nd lien loan notes have a L+775bps coupon and benefit from a 75bps Libor floor and were issued at a discount to par, 98.25.

To access the April 2021 Factsheet, please click here  http://www.rns-pdf.londonstockexchange.com/rns/9166Y_1-2021-5-17.pdf

The Fund's website can be found at the following address: www.nbgmif.com

1.  Source: Standard & Poor's

* Effective 9 September 2020, the fund has changed its investment policy and name to NB Global Monthly Income Fund Limited.  For more information, please refer to here.

** The Fund's Current Portfolio Yield is a market-value weighted average of the current yields of the holdings in the portfolio, calculated as the coupon (base rate plus spread) divided by current price. The calculation does not take into account any fees, fund expenses or sales charges paid, which would reduce the results. The Current Yield for the Fund will fluctuate from month to month. The Current Yield should be regarded as an estimate of the Fund's rate of investment income, and it may not equal the realized distribution rate for each share class. You should consult the Fund's prospectus for additional information about the Fund's dividends and distributions policy. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.  

-ENDS-

For further information, please contact:

Neuberger Berman Europe Limited (Manager) Elizabeth Papadopoulos	[phone]
Numis Securities Limited (Broker) Hugh Jonathan Matt Goss	[phone]
Praxis Fund Services Limited (Company Secretary) Matt Falla Gemma Woods	[phone]
KL Communications (PR) Charles Gorman Luke Dampier	[phone]

Background Information

The Company is a registered closed-ended investment company incorporated in Guernsey. It is managed by Neuberger Berman Europe Limited, which has delegated certain of its responsibilities and functions to the AIFM, Neuberger Berman Investment Advisers LLC, both of which are indirect wholly owned subsidiaries of Neuberger Berman Group LLC.

Neuberger Berman, founded in 1939, is a private, independent, employee-owned investment manager. The firm manages a range of strategies-including equity, fixed income, quantitative and multi-asset class, private equity, real estate and hedge funds-on behalf of institutions, advisors and individual investors globally. With offices in 25 countries, Neuberger Berman's diverse team has over 2,300 professionals.

For seven consecutive years, the company has been named first or second in Pensions & Investments Best Places to Work in Money Management survey (among those with 1,000 employees or more). In 2020, the PRI named Neuberger Berman a Leader, a designation awarded to fewer than 1% of investment firms for excellence in Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) practices. The PRI also awarded Neuberger Berman an A+ in every eligible category for our approach to ESG integration across asset classes. The firm manages $429 billion in client assets as of March 31, 2021. For more information, please visit our website at www.nb.com .

RISK CONSIDERATIONS

Market Risk : The risk of a change in the value of a position as a result of underlying market factors, including among other things, the overall performance of companies and the market perception of the global economy.

Liquidity Risk:   The risk that the Fund may be unable to sell an investment readily at its fair market value. In extreme market conditions this can affect the Fund's ability to meet redemption requests upon demand.

Credit Risk:   The risk that bond issuers may fail to meet their interest repayments, or repay debt, resulting in temporary or permanent losses to the Fund.

Interest Rate Risk:   The risk of interest rate movements affecting the value of fixed-rate bonds.

Counterparty Risk: The risk that a counterparty will not fulfil its payment obligation for a trade, contract or other transaction, on the due date.

Counterparty Risk: The risk that a counterparty will not fulfil its payment obligation for a trade, contract or other transaction, on the due date.

Operational Risk:   The risk of direct or indirect loss resulting from inadequate or failed processes, people and systems including those relating to the safekeeping of assets or from external events.

Derivatives Risk:   The Fund is permitted to use certain types of financial derivative instruments ("FDI") (including certain complex instruments) which can give rise to particular risks, including market risk, liquidity risk and counterparty credit risk. This may increase the Fund's leverage significantly which may cause large variations in the value of your share.

Currency Risk:   Investors who subscribe in a currency other than the base currency of the Fund are exposed to currency risk. Fluctuations in exchange rates may affect the return on investment.

The past performance shown is based on the share class to which this factsheet relates. If the currency of this share class is different from your local currency, then you should be aware that due to exchange rate fluctuations the performance shown may increase or decrease if converted into your local currency.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

This document has been issued by NB Global Monthly Income Fund Limited (the "Company"), and should not be taken as an offer, invitation or inducement to engage in any investment activity and is solely for the purpose of providing information about the Company.

This document does not constitute or form part of, and should not be construed as, any offer for sale or subscription of, or solicitation of any offer to buy or subscribe for, any share in the Company or securities in any other entity, in any jurisdiction.

The Company is a closed-ended investment company incorporated and registered in Guernsey and is governed under the provisions of the Companies (Guernsey) Law, 2008 (as amended), and the Registered Collective Investment Scheme Rules 2008 issued by the Guernsey Financial Services Commission ("GFSC"). It is a non-cellular company limited by shares and has been declared by the GFSC to be a registered closed-ended collective investment scheme. The Company's shares are admitted to the Official List of the UK Listing Authority with a premium listing and are admitted to trading on the Premium Segment of the London Stock Exchange's Main Market for listed securities.

Neuberger Berman Europe Limited ("NBEL"), the Company's Manager, is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority ("FCA") and is registered in England and Wales, at Lansdowne House, 57 Berkeley Square, London, W1J 6ER and is also a Registered Investment Adviser with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") in the U.S. and regulated by the Dubai Financial Services Authority.

This document is addressed to professional clients only.

This document is presented solely for information purposes and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security.

We do not represent that this information, including any third party information, is complete and it should not be relied upon as such. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the Company or NBEL as a whole. All information is current as of the date of this material and is subject to change without notice. No part of this document may be reproduced in any manner without prior written permission of the Company and NBEL.

An investment in the Company involves risks, with the potential for above average risk, and is only suitable for people who are in a position to take such risks. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment or strategy is suitable for a particular investor. Each recipient of this document should make such investigations as it deems necessary to arrive at an independent evaluation of any investment, and should consult its own legal counsel and financial, actuarial, accounting, regulatory and tax advisers to evaluate any such investment. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. Investment in the Company should not constitute a substantial proportion of an investor's portfolio and may not be appropriate for all investors. Diversification and asset class allocation do not guarantee profit or protect against loss.

Past performance is not a reliable indicator of current or future results. The value of investments may go down as well as up and investors may not get back any of the amount invested. The performance data does not take account of the commissions and costs incurred on the issue and redemption of units.

The value of investments designated in another currency may rise and fall due to exchange rate fluctuations in respect of the relevant currencies. Adverse movements in currency exchange rates can result in a decrease in return and a loss of capital.

Tax treatment depends on the individual circumstances of each investor and may be subject to change, investors are therefore recommended to seek independent tax advice.

This document, and the information contained therein, is not for viewing, release, distribution or publication in or into the United States, Canada, Japan, South Africa or any other jurisdiction where applicable laws prohibit its release, distribution or publication, and will not be made available to any national, resident or citizen of the United States, Canada, Japan or South Africa.

The distribution of this document in other jurisdictions may be restricted by law and persons into whose possession this document comes must inform themselves about, and observe, any such restrictions. Any failure to comply with the restrictions may constitute a violation of the federal securities law of the United States and the laws of other jurisdictions.

The Company's shares have not been and will not be registered under the US Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), or with any securities regulatory authority of any state or other jurisdiction of the United States. The shares may not be offered, sold, resold, pledged, delivered, distributed or otherwise transferred, directly or indirectly, into or within the United States, or to, or for the account or benefit of, US persons (as defined in Regulation S under the Securities Act). No public offering of the shares is being made in the United States.

The Company has not been and will not be registered under the US Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Investment Company Act") and, as such, holders of the shares will not be entitled to the benefits of the Investment Company Act. No offer, sale, resale, pledge, delivery, distribution or transfer of the shares may be made except under circumstances that will not result in the Company being required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act. In addition, the shares are subject to restrictions on transferability and resale in certain jurisdictions and may not be transferred or resold except as permitted under applicable securities laws and regulations. Any failure to comply with these restrictions may constitute a violation of the securities laws of any such jurisdictions.

The "Neuberger Berman" name and logo are registered service marks of Neuberger Berman Group LLC.

© 2021 Neuberger Berman Group LLC. All rights reserved.

 

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