Portfolio Update - October 2021

RNS Number : 1632S

NB Global Monthly Income Fund Ltd

12 November 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.

12^th November 2021

NB Global Monthly Income Fund*

Monthly Commentary & Portfolio Update

29^th October 2021

Key statistics

NAV (GBP)	GBP 0.9507
Current Portfolio Yield**	6.22%
Number of Investments	297
Number of Issuers	212

Asset allocation:

	Global High Yield:		29.02%
	Global Floating Rate Loans:		35.29%
Total Traditional Credit:			64.31%
	Private Debt:		20.87%
	CLO Mezzanine Debt:		10.57%
	Special Situations:		4.25%
Total Alternative Credit:			35.69%

Credit rating breakdown: as at 29th October (excluding cash), the portfolio was invested primarily in B (46.03%) and BBB/BB (14.88%) rated investments ¹

Market Update

Non-investment grade credit performance was somewhat mixed in October with global high yield in slightly negative territory while loans and CLOs had positive returns. Although projections for real global growth and inflation remain above longer-term trends, investors and economists had been notching down their near-term outlooks for real GDP growth as a result of persistent supply chain disruptions, labor supply issues, spiking commodity prices and the fact that behavior is still being impacted by COVID-19. The slower growth view was confirmed by news that U.S. real GDP came in at 2.0% for Q3, which missed the 2.6% median forecast. Additionally, the idea that central banks could move sooner on rate hikes in 2022 than previously expected caused 10-Year U.S. Treasury and other bellwether bond yields-such as German bunds and UK Gilts-to move up which fueled even more interest in floating rate loans, especially as investors remain comfortable with valuations given that we are at the earlier stages of a credit cycle, defaults are approaching all-time lows and earnings results are coming in better than expected.

In the month of October, U.S. senior floating rate loans, as measured by the S&P/LSTA Leveraged Loan Index (the "S&P LLI"), returned 0.27% with the lowest credit rating tier underperforming higher rated as the BB, B and CCC segments of the index returned 0.23%, 0.33% and -0.26%, respectively. The LL100, a measure of the largest, most liquid issuers, was up just 0.02%.  Year-to-date, the S&P LLI provided a return of 4.70%. The European Leveraged Loan Index (the "ELLI") returned 0.14% in October and 4.15% year to date, excluding currency effects. The Second Lien Loans index was up 0.62% in the month and 12.14% year to date.

The global high yield bond market finished the month of October with modestly negative returns as concerns over slowing global growth and higher trend inflation outweighed the positives of favorable fundamentals.  The ICE BofA Global High Yield Constrained Index finished the month and year-to-date periods with returns of -0.71% and 2.65%, respectively. Returns across rating tiers in the month reversed prior trends with the highest quality and lowest quality outperforming the index. In the month, the BB, B, CCC & lower rated categories of the ICE BofA Global High Yield Index returned -0.47%, -1.40%, and -0.33%, respectively.

CLO debt had another stable month, with the asset class continuing to benefit from the increased potential of higher near-term rates and strong underlying fundamental performance as well as attractive relative value versus other fixed income assets. While primary volumes continue to set records, spread levels remained steady over the month with strong investor demand.  Secondary market activity also remained robust.  The CLO BB Index gained 1.09% on the month and 10.79% year to date.

The pace of defaults and default expectations continued to moderate and are approaching all-time lows in both U.S. and European non-investment grade credit markets, which is consistent with improving balance sheets and stronger earnings growth. Non-investment grade credit, especially given its lower duration profile and attractive yields, will likely continue to see favourable investor demand as concerns over rising interest rates weigh on longer duration, lower yielding fixed income.

In our view, yields on non-investment grade credit 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. While inflation is more persistent than previously expected, the trajectory of real GDP growth and improved pricing power should continue to be supportive of issuer fundamentals. Pent-up demand for services and travel combined with strong consumer balance sheets, growing nominal wages, businesses working to rebuild inventories and rehire plus more communicative central banks should continue to support economic activity and financial conditions going forward. Our global research team continues to monitor the investment thesis for each issuer in the portfolio given the uncertainty around the pandemic and its impact on global supply chains, labor shortages and commodity prices. Even as concerns over higher inflation, supply-side disruptions and geopolitical risk 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 68%, with an average duration of 1.24 years. Floating Rate Loans continued to be the largest proportion of the portfolio at 35.29%, although their weight fell month on month as we added to our allocation to Private Debt, Special Situations and CLO Debt Tranches. Our allocation to Global High Yield has also decreased during the period. In terms of ratings breakdown, our exposure to CCC risk increased during the month to 33.3%, whilst the holding in single B rated credit fell to 46.0%. Primary markets were very active in October, and we took advantage of this to add several new issuers to the portfolio, including UK financial services group Arrow and social housing developer Keepmoat.

Recent Investments

We added exposure to both the USD and EUR tranches of a new secured bond transaction from French telecom operator Iliad, who were looking to fund an acquisition in Poland, a market we believe with long term attractive fundamentals. Our positive credit opinion is further supported by their strong and well established presence in the French mobile and fixed markets, where they are number 1 in Fibre deployment, and enjoy a strong customer base in 5G. Although there is execution risk around the acquisition of UPC Poland, this is mitigated by Iliad's good track record of operations and strategy. Furthermore they posted a solid performance through the pandemic, with the company delivering organic revenue growth last year and in the first half of this year.

We also added an allocation to the 2nd  lien term loan of Chamberlain, a leading North American provider of access control solutions. Our favorable credit view is based on their #1 position in residential garage door openers, good FCF profile, and material equity cushion. The company has delivered respectable organic growth in recent years too, which we expect to be sustained, aiding deleveraging.

To access the October 2021 Factsheet, please click here. http://www.rns-pdf.londonstockexchange.com/rns/1632S_1-2021-11-11.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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