Multi Asset Real Return Strategy

Multi Asset Real Return Strategy

Multi Asset Real Return Strategy

 
 
Summary

The Multi-Asset Real Return Strategy (MARRS) is a dynamic, diversified inflation protection strategy managed by the MSIM Global Multi-Asset team. To help meet its real return objective the team will invest in assets that tend to offer superior performance during periods of high or rising inflation and include Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS), gold, commodities and commodity equities, as well as other inflation-related themes opportunistically.

70%
Core Real Assets* : Inflation bonds, Gold & Gold Miners, Commodities and Commodities Equities
30%
Other Inflation Assets and Themes*
 
 
Investment Approach
Philosophy

The Global Multi-Asset Team believes that structurally higher inflation is ahead for global economies due to ongoing restructuring of global supply chains, disruption of energy supply as a result of decarbonization, financial repression in the context of high debt burdens and rising dependency ratios.  However, episodic bouts of disinflation will still be likely during cyclical downturns.  A diversified multi-asset portfolio that is dynamically managed based on the macro cycle offers a superior way to invest to take advantage of higher inflation.

 
Differentiators

1) Core holdings designed to offer superior sensitivity to inflation and are balanced between growth-sensitive and defensive assets.

2) Dynamic management allows us to optimize portfolio for macro conditions.

3) Experienced team with a fundamental, discretionary, macro-driven approach, focused on risk control.

MARRS-Strategy-Chart1
 
 
Portfolio Managers  
Cyril Moulle-Berteaux
Head of Global Multi-Asset Team
33 years industry experience
Mark Bavoso
Managing Director
41 years industry experience
 

Effective January 22, 2024, the Strategy is managed by Cyril Moulle-Berteaux and Mark Bavoso. Prior to this date, Sergei Parmenov served as co-portfolio manager.

On August 31, 2021 the Strategy was transitioned to the Global Multi-Asset Team.

 
 
 
 
 

RISK CONSIDERATIONS

There is no assurance that a portfolio will achieve its investment objective. Portfolios are subject to market risk, which is the possibility that the market values of securities owned by the portfolio will decline. Market values can change daily due to economic and other events (e.g. natural disasters, health crises, terrorism, conflicts and social unrest) that affect markets, countries, companies or governments. It is difficult to predict the timing, duration, and potential adverse effects (e.g. portfolio liquidity) of events. Accordingly, you can lose money investing in this strategy. Please be aware that this strategy may be subject to certain additional risks. In general, equities securities’ values also fluctuate in response to activities specific to a company. Investments in foreign markets entail special risks such as currency, political, economic, and market risks. The risks of investing in emerging market countries are greater than the risks generally associated with foreign investments. Real estate investments, including real estate investment trusts, are subject to risks similar to those associated with the direct ownership of real estate and they are sensitive to such factors as management skills and changes in tax laws. Companies within the infrastructure industry are subject to a variety of factors that may adversely affect their business or operations, including high interest, leverage and regulatory costs, difficulty raising capital, the effect of an economic slowdown or recession and surplus capacity, and increased competition. Other risks include technological innovation, significant changes in the number of end-users, an increasing deregulatory environment, natural and environmental risks, and terrorist attacks. Stocks of small- and medium-capitalization companies entail special risks, such as limited product lines, markets and financial resources, and greater market volatility than securities of larger, more established companies. When investing in value securities (those believed to be undervalued in comparison to their peers), the market may not have the same value assessment as the manager, and, therefore, the performance of the securities may decline. 

Fixed-income securities are subject to the ability of an issuer to make timely principal and interest payments (credit risk), changes in interest rates (interest-rate risk), the creditworthiness of the issuer and general market liquidity (market risk). In a rising interest-rate environment, bond prices may fall and may result in periods of volatility and increased portfolio redemptions. In a declining interest-rate environment, the portfolio may generate less income. Longer-term securities may be more sensitive to interest rate changes. Derivative instruments may disproportionately increase losses and have a significant impact on performance. They also may be subject to counterparty, liquidity, valuation, correlation and market risks. Illiquid securities may be more difficult to sell and value than publicly traded securities (liquidity risk). Trading in commodity interests may involve substantial risks and investment exposure to the commodities markets may subject the Fund to greater volatility than investments in traditional securities, such as stocks and bonds. The commodities markets may fluctuate widely based on a variety of factors, including changes in overall market movements, domestic and foreign political and economic events and policies, war, acts of terrorism, changes in domestic or foreign interest rates and/ or investor expectations concerning interest rates, domestic and foreign inflation rates and investment and trading activities of mutual funds, hedge funds and commodities funds. Investments in natural resource industries can be significantly affected by events relating to those industries, such as international political and economic developments, energy conservation, the success of exploration projects, tax and other government regulations, as well as other factors. Exchange traded funds (ETFs) shares have many of the same risks as direct investments in common stocks or bonds and their market value will fluctuate as the value of the underlying index does. By investing in Exchange traded funds (ETFs), the portfolio absorbs both its own expenses and those of the ETFs it invests in. Supply and demand for ETFs may not be correlated to that of the underlying securities. Individual Master Limited Partnerships (MLPs) are publicly traded partnerships that have unique risks related to their structure. These include, but are not limited to, their reliance on the capital markets to fund growth, adverse ruling on the current tax treatment of distributions (typically mostly tax deferred), and commodity volume risk. The potential tax benefits from investing in MLPs depend on their being treated as partnerships for federal income tax purposes and, if the MLP is deemed to be a corporation, then its income would be subject to federal taxation at the entity level, reducing the amount of cash available for distribution to the fund which could result in a reduction of the fund’s value. MLPs carry interest rate risk and may underperform in a rising interest rate environment. There is the risk that the Adviser’s asset allocation methodology and assumptions regarding the Underlying Portfolios may be incorrect in light of actual market conditions and the Portfolio may not achieve its investment objective. Share prices also tend to be volatile and there is a significant possibility of loss. Privately placed and restricted securities may be subject to resale restrictions as well as a lack of publicly available information, which will increase their illiquidity and could adversely affect the ability to value and sell them (liquidity risk). LIBOR Discontinuance or Unavailability Risk.  The regulatory authority that oversees financial services firms and financial markets in the U.K. has announced that, after the end of 2021, it would no longer persuade or compel contributing banks to make rate submissions for purposes of determining the LIBOR rate.  As a result, it is possible that commencing in 2022 , LIBOR may no longer be available or no longer deemed an appropriate reference rate upon which to determine the interest rate on or impacting certain derivatives and other instruments or investments comprising some of the Fund’s portfolio. Sovereign debt securities are subject to default risk. Mortgage-backed securities are sensitive to early prepayment risk and a higher risk of default and may be hard to value and difficult to sell (liquidity risk). Inflation-Linked Securities Risk. The values of inflation-linked securities change in response to actual or anticipated changes When inflation is low, declining, or negative, the inflation-linked securities in which the Fund invests could underperform more conventional bonds. Interest payments on inflation-linked investments may vary widely and will fluctuate as the principal and interest are adjusted for inflation. 

* The weights represent typical ranges and are not a maximum number. The portfolio may exceed this from time to time due to market conditions and outstanding trades.

This communication is only intended for and will be only distributed to persons resident in jurisdictions where such distribution or availability would not be contrary to local laws or regulations.

There is no guarantee that any investment strategy will work under all market conditions, and each investor should evaluate their ability to invest for the long-term, especially during periods of downturn in the market. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

A separately managed account may not be appropriate for all investors. Separate accounts managed according to the Strategy include a number of securities and will not necessarily track the performance of any index. Please consider the investment objectives, risks and fees of the Strategy carefully before investing. A minimum asset level is required. For important information about the investment manager, please refer to Form ADV Part 2.

The views and opinions and/or analysis expressed are those of the author or the investment team as of the date of preparation of this material and are subject to change at any time without notice due to market or economic conditions and may not necessarily come to pass. Furthermore, the views will not be updated or otherwise revised to reflect information that subsequently becomes available or circumstances existing, or changes occurring, after the date of publication. The views expressed do not reflect the opinions of all investment personnel at Morgan Stanley Investment Management (MSIM) and its subsidiaries and affiliates (collectively “the Firm”), and may not be reflected in all the strategies and products that the Firm offers.

This material is a general communication, which is not impartial and all information provided has been prepared solely for informational and educational purposes and does not constitute an offer or a recommendation to buy or sell any particular security or to adopt any specific investment strategy. The information herein has not been based on a consideration of any individual investor circumstances and is not investment advice, nor should it be construed in any way as tax, accounting, legal or regulatory advice. To that end, investors should seek independent legal and financial advice, including advice as to tax consequences, before making any investment decision.

Diversification does not protect you against a loss in a particular market; however it allows you to spread that risk across various asset classes.

The Bloomberg US Treasury Bills 1 –3 Months (USD) Index includes public obligations of the U.S. Treasury of 1 to 3 months Indexes are unmanaged and do not include any expenses, fees or sales charges. It is not possible to invest directly in an index. Any index referred to herein is the intellectual property (including registered trademarks) of the applicable licensor. Any product based on an index is in no way sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by the applicable licensor and it shall not have any liability with respect thereto. U.S. Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS) are the inflation-indexed bonds issued by the U.S. Treasury.

The information presented represents how the portfolio management team generally implements its investment process under normal market conditions.

Morgan Stanley Investment Management is the asset management division of Morgan Stanley.

 

 

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