The Barbados dollar funds of Fortress Fund Managers (FFM) performed strongly in the third quarter of the year, setting “new all-time highs” and “rewarding long-term investors”.

The leading fund manager shared the results with investors in its September 2024 quarterly report for the Fortress Caribbean Growth Fund, the Fortress High Interest Fund, and the Fortress Caribbean Pension Fund.

Caribbean Growth Fund up 12.3% over past year

The flagship Fortress Caribbean Growth Fund gained 6.8% in the third quarter and was up 12.3% over the past year.

Global equities had a strong quarter as the U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed) began cutting interest rates. “The Fed cut its target rate 0.5% in September and investors positioned themselves for more to come. Lower rates plus higher conviction of a soft-landing scenario supported broad gains in U.S. equities, with strength especially among value sectors like utilities, real estate and financials,” the report said.

There was good news also in emerging markets with Chinese equities rising just over 20% in September from depressed levels after the government announced economic stimulus measures. “Other emerging market equities gained as well. The Fund’s core allocations to the Fortress Global Funds returned between 6% and 11%, and our long-time holding in Berkshire Hathaway gained 12%.”

Closer to home, Caribbean equities did not fare as well. In Trinidad, stocks declined 7%, on thin trading volumes. “Among the fund’s larger holdings in Trinidad, Massy Holdings declined 12%, Guardian Holdings lost 9%, and Agostini fell 7%. The gradual decline in oil revenues and the country's foreign currency situation, may be posing challenges for Trinidad’s equities,” Fortress noted, adding that other Caribbean markets saw only small movements.

The Fund’s net asset value (NAV) or price per share at September 27 was $7.9198 while net assets of the Fund were $691 million, up from $610 million for the same time last year. The Fund’s annual compound rate of return since inception in 1996 is 7.7% per year.

Caribbean High Interest Fund up 6.8% over past year

The Fortress Caribbean High Interest Fund gained 2.8% in the third quarter and was up 6.8% over the past year.

Even before the Fed’s rate cut, bond yields had fallen and prices gained as investors anticipated the Fed's decision after data pointed to a softer job market and lower inflation.

“As yields fell, bond prices rose, and this increase in price, combined with coupon income previously locked in at high rates, led the Fund’s U.S. holdings to contribute healthy returns. The Fund’s core allocation to the US$ Fortress Fixed Income Fund returned 4.3% for the quarter, while our emerging market bond allocations saw gains of around 6%,” Fortress explained.

In Barbados, the local bond market remained quiet, aside from routine issuance of Government of Barbados (GOB) treasury bills. “We added incrementally to the fund’s GOB holdings, to reinvest principal received from other amortizing GOB positions. The Fund’s GOB exposure at the end of the quarter was little changed at 13%.”

The NAV of the Fund’s Accumulation share at September 27 was $2.2444, while the Distribution share finished at $1.0729.  Net assets were $144 million, up from $140 million at the same time last year. The Fund’s annual compound rate of return since inception in 2002 is 3.7% per year.

Caribbean Pension Fund gains up to 11.9% over past year

The three classes of shares of the Caribbean Pension Fund gained between 3.3% and 6.1% in the third quarter and were up between 7.4% and 11.9% over the past year.

Looking ahead, Fortress noted the market's current expectations for quickly falling interest rates and healthy profit growth in an economic soft landing. “We should be aware it is not an easy trick to pull off. The very condition that leads to rapid declines in interest rates – a weaker economy – is not typically one that also involves record profit margins and high credit quality.”  The fund manager suggested that one way to prepare for “bumps” in the markets was to avoid the most optimistically valued, and therefore vulnerable, sections of the equity market, being found in some of the largest U.S. technology stocks.  “We think there is still great opportunity – and room for error and some bumpiness – in the much quieter, cheaper, parts of the U.S. market, and among international and emerging markets where shares trade at valuations ranging from reasonable to truly exceptional. Resilience and valuations will be critical factors as we position to earn future returns from here.”

Fortress manages over Bds $800 million in assets across 12 funds with investments in regional, US, international and emerging markets.

Fortress Fund Managers