Portfolio Commentary & Factsheet - 31 July 2021

RNS Number : 6711I

NB Global Monthly Income Fund Ltd

16 August 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.

16^th August 2021

NB Global Monthly Income Fund*

Monthly Commentary & Portfolio Update

30th July 2021

Key statistics

NAV (GBP)	GBP 0.9517
Current Portfolio Yield**	6.11%
Number of Investments	308
Number of Issuers	213

Asset allocation:

	Global High Yield:		31.48%
	Global Floating Rate Loans:		38.54%
Total Traditional Credit:			70.02%
	Private Debt:		16.22%
	CLO Mezzanine Debt:		9.54%
	Special Situations:		4.23%
Total Alternative Credit:			29.98%

Credit rating breakdown: as at 30th July (excluding cash), the portfolio was invested primarily in B (49.08%) and BBB/BB (16.80%) rated investments ¹

Market Update

Non-investment grade credit took a bit of a breather in the month of July with its most modest returns of the year as the COVID-19 Delta variant continued to spread among the unvaccinated. Additionally, the yields on bellwether long-dated government bonds such as the 10-Year US Treasury yield, UK 10-Year Gilt and German 10-Year Bund continued to decline even though inflation and indicators of real economic growth came in strong in most regions. While most company earnings reports continued to come in better than expectations, there was some volatility in risk assets in the month as new COVID cases from the Delta variant caused some concern about the outlook for reopening.

U.S. senior floating rate loans ended the month of July modestly negative while European loans were up slightly on improving issuer fundamentals, positive retail inflows but heavier supply driven mostly by M&A activity weighed on the U.S. loan market. U.S. senior floating rate loans, as measured by the S&P/LSTA Leveraged Loan Index (the "S&P LLI"), returned -0.01% in July with single B outperforming the index and other rating tiers as BB, B and CCC returned -0.10%, +0.04% and -0.26%, respectively. The LL100, a measure of the largest, most liquid issuers, returned -0.24% which also underperformed the total S&P LLI. The European Leveraged Loan Index (the "ELLI") returned 0.15% in July, excluding currency effects. Year to date through July 31, the S&P LLI returned 3.27% and the ELLI returned 3.11%, excluding currency effects. The Second Lien Loans index was up 0.64% in the month and 9.75% year to date.

The global high yield bond market in July also posted a modestly negative return and saw new issuance continue to come off its record-setting pace of the first quarter 2021. The ICE BofA Global High Yield Constrained Index finished the month and year-to-date period with returns of -0.04% and 3.12%, respectively. Dispersion of returns across rating tiers reversed in the month with the lowest quality and distressed issuers underperforming the index as the BB, B, CCC & lower rated categories of the ICE BofA Global High Yield Index returned 0.47%, -1.02%, and -0.26%, respectively.

CLO debt levels remained firm in July, with the market adequately digesting the continued significant primary market activity. Fundamentally, the asset class has benefitted from the potential of higher near-term rates and strong underlying fundamental performance as well as continued attractive relative value versus other fixed income assets. The CLO BB Index gained 0.72% over the month and 8.33% year to date.

The pace of defaults and default expectations continued to decline in both U.S. and European non-investment grade credit markets, which is consistent with improving fundamentals. Non-investment grade credit, especially given its lower duration profile and attractive yields relative to other fixed income, will likely continue to see favourable investor demand, especially given that ~65% of the global bond market still yields less than 1%.

Non-investment grade credit yields are more than compensating investors for the increasingly benign default outlook, will continue to provide durable income and are especially attractive compared to other fixed income alternatives. The economic recovery continues to play out as evidenced by recent data and we would expect the improving trajectory of growth and pricing power to be supportive of issuer fundamentals. Progress on the rate of vaccinations, combined with pent-up demand, businesses rebuilding inventories and rehiring plus patient-but-vigilant central bankers should continue to support global economic activity going forward. While the Delta variant of COVID has started to flare up in some regions and concerns over inflation could result in pockets of short-term volatility, we believe our bottom-up, fundamental credit research process focused on security selection while seeking to avoid credit deterioration and putting only our "best ideas" into portfolios, position us well to take advantage of any volatility.

Portfolio Positioning

The overall Fund exposure to floating rate assets is at 66% leading to an average duration of 1.17 years for the Fund. Floating Rate Loans remain the biggest allocation at 38.5%, that weight has continued to reduce as the team sold loans, often repricing candidates around par, seeing more attractive opportunities in other buckets. In July, allocations to both CLO Debt Tranches and 2^nd Lien Term Loans increased. Our current allocation to BBB/BB rated credits ended the month at 16.8% whilst our exposure to CCC and below rated names finished the month at 29.3%, slightly higher month on month. The new issue markets remained extremely busy in July, the fund participating in deals from Constellation (BCA) and Asurion.

Recent Investments

Pizza Express is the 2^nd largest casual dining restaurant group in the UK. We have a positive view of Pizza Express given its strong and popular brand, which appeals to a mass audience, and good positioning in a market that is expected to rebound strongly over the next 12-18 months. Having entered the Covid period highly indebted, the Group completed a financial restructuring late in 2020, significantly reducing its gross debt. Pizza Express benefits from a new and highly experienced management team and a slimmed down estate, with lower rental payments, whilst being aided by competitor restaurant closures over the last 18 months in a market that had been previously over supplied. The company approached the European High Yield bond market in July with a Senior Secured 5-year GBP bond offering, which priced at par with a 6.75% fixed coupon. The owners sought to refinance the capital structure put in place at the time of restructuring. In a downside scenario of renewed lockdowns, we believe leverage and liquidity to be of a quantum to afford management room to manoeuvre.

The fund also invested in a new 2^nd lien senior secured USD loan from Parexel, which came to the market in July. The company is a leading player in the global Contract Research Organisation market, that helps pharmaceutical companies manage and execute clinical trials. We believe that following a 3-year turnaround plan under a new management team, the Group is well positioned to capitalise on the expected growth in R&D spend in the industry. The 2^nd lien term loans due 2028 priced at 98 with a 700bps margin above SONIA.

To access the July 2021 Factsheet, please click here  http://www.rns-pdf.londonstockexchange.com/rns/6711I_1-2021-8-15.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 Will Sanderson	[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 $402 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 The Zig Zag Building, 70 Victoria Street, London, SW1E 6SQ 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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