Fund Profile

Disclaimer

Disclosure – Non-Independent Marketing Communication

This is a non-independent marketing communication commissioned by M&G Credit Income. The report has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and is not subject to any prohibition on the dealing ahead of the dissemination of investment research.

Overview
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Overview

M&G Credit Income (MGCI) aims to generate a high yield with low volatility and low credit risk from fixed income investments. To achieve this MGCI invests extensively in the private debt markets, traditionally the preserve of institutional investors. M&G has been investing in private assets since 1997 and has c. £65.5bn in AUM in that space. It employs 287 fixed interest professionals including 130 analysts, providing coverage of the private and public debt markets, which allows MGCI’s manager, Adam English, to cherry pick the best ideas on a risk/reward basis.

MGCI aims for its portfolio to have an investment grade credit rating on average while generating an income of LIBOR plus 4%. This income is close to that achieved in high yield, but the extra return comes from illiquidity and complexity premia rather than through taking unnecessary levels of credit subordination. Last year the income target was met, although with a partial contribution from capital gains, as discussed in the dividend section. The board has targeted three quarterly payments of LIBOR plus 3% for FY 2021, with the intention of a higher variable fourth payment to get the dividend to LIBOR plus 4%.

MGCI is managed by Adam English, a fund manager on the life and insurance team at M&G. Adam selects ideas from the work of the different specialist teams, and looks to switch between public and private debt and between sectors within both categories as relative value allows. Most of the portfolio is floating rate, and any duration is hedged down to c. 1 year.

The shares currently trade on a discount of c. 10%, having traded on a premium prior to the emergence of the pandemic.

Analyst's View

MGCI offers investors a way to generate a high yield in what we consider a relatively low risk way. The credit risk is lower than would be required to generate the same yield in conventional fixed income, while the duration is also low. The diversification in terms of asset class, sub-sector and individual investment is higher than the typical alternatives investment trust. Meanwhile the trust has no structural gearing and is committed to using debt in a limited fashion. All these features should be attractive for the income-seeking investor.

However, the main risks that are taken to achieve this income are related to illiquidity and complexity. We believe M&G’s extensive experience and huge resources in the private debt markets puts it in a strong position to handle these risks, to originate and underwrite deals, and monitor and analyse risks. Certainly, the steady performance of the portfolio through the 2020 crisis is evidence the process works to reduce the impact of these risks (see performance).

The question for investors is likely to be whether LIBOR plus 4% is enough. Yield is hard to come by at the moment (although at the time of writing bond markets have been selling off, increasing the opportunity). Nevertheless, higher yields are available on some renewables, infrastructure and direct lending investment trusts. This comes at the expense of extra credit risk and/or high gearing, higher industry risk, or higher stock specific risk. Individual appetites for income and for risk will vary, but in our view MGCI is an excellent long-term holding for income-seekers who can get comfortable with the relatively complex portfolio.

bull bear
Offers a high yield from a portfolio with relatively low credit risk
Higher-yielding alternatives available
Approach has proven resilience in a crisis (spring 2020)
Complexity will make it harder for investors to know what they are invested in
Offers access to traditionally institutional markets via a leading investor in the space
Limited capital gain potential
Continue to Portfolio

Fund History

02 Oct 2024 Hot property
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19 Sep 2024 Fund Analysis
MGCI has delivered strong returns over the past year…
22 May 2024 Keep It Slightly-unconventional, Stupid
We argue a position in bonds should be diversified with alternatives…
03 Apr 2024 Tall poppies
We highlight those trusts having to print new shares to keep up with demand…
28 Mar 2024 Fund Analysis
MGCI offers an exceptionally high yield from a portfolio of high credit quality...
27 Sep 2023 Fund Analysis
MGCI offers an exceptional yield from a portfolio with low NAV volatility…
24 May 2023 Five alternatives for income investors
Watch the presentations from our event focused on trusts delivering income via a diverse range of strategies…
04 May 2023 Fund Analysis
MGCI is generating a highly attractive yield from a relatively low-risk portfolio…
15 May 2023 M&G Credit Income
Adam English
Rewatch this webinar from our online series in May 'Alternatives for income investors' hosted by the team at Kepler Trust Intelligence 15-19 May…
Watch Recording
16 Nov 2022 Bottom fishing
What can history tell investors about calling the bottom of a market?
19 Oct 2022 Gimme shelter
Our analysts examine safe havens and defensive strategies as we endure the market's 19th Nervous Breakdown...
27 Sep 2022 Fund Analysis
MGCI’s floating rate exposure means its yield should rise as interest rates do…
31 May 2022 Five alternative trusts for income investors
Slides and audio from our event last week, featuring five trust managers discussing different strategies to deliver income for shareholders in challenging market conditions...
27 May 2022 Slides and Audio: M&G Credit Income
Download the presentation and listen to the audio from our 'Alternatives for income investors' virtual week from 23 May...
29 Apr 2022 Five trusts to diversify your portfolio income
Join us next week for one live webinar with a different manager every day of the week – including the chance to ask questions - focused on different solutions for those seeking a decent income…
22 Apr 2022 Bonds are back
BIPS and MGCI may benefit from higher interest rates…
13 Apr 2022 Fund Analysis
MGCI’s floating rate exposure means its yield should rise as interest rates do…
06 Apr 2022 Private markets: A closer look at the expanding private debt opportunity
We look at the attractions of the private debt market, historically the hunting ground of the institutional investor…
19 May 2021 The complexity premium
We examine the idea that extra returns can be obtained from buying investments which are perceived to be more complex by most investors...
12 May 2021 Riders on the storm
We look at the yields in the alternatives space and how they have been affected by the pandemic…
26 Mar 2021 Fund Analysis
MGCI offers a high yield with low asset value volatility, low duration and an investment grade rating…
06 Mar 2019 Stairway to heaven
Our research shows that reinvesting the income generated by alternative assets could add a significant boost to long-term portfolio performance…
05 Mar 2019 Fund Analysis
M&G Credit Income Investment Trust launched in November 2018 and targets a dividend yield of LIBOR plus 4% per annum...
24 Oct 2018 Fund Analysis
An opportunity to invest in sectors usually restricted to institutional investors with a target LIBOR plus 4% dividend...
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The information contained herein is not for distribution and does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of any offer to buy any securities in the United States to or for the benefit of any United States person (being residents of the United States or partnerships or corporations organised under the laws thereof). The investment funds referred to herein have not been registered in the United States under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and units or shares of such funds are not registered in the United States under the Securities Act of 1933.
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