SBNY - Heartland Value Fund Q1 2023 Portfolio Manager Commentary

2023-04-21 01:30:00 ET

Summary

• Heartland Advisors is a boutique, independent investment firm in Milwaukee, WI. Our value-focused, actively managed product suite includes distinct U.S. and international investing strategies, which are offered through five mutual funds and four separately managed accounts.
• With growing concerns over a banking crisis, the fear returned to the marketplace.
• Active, long-term investors should have a decided advantage in this environment, as fundamentals — including valuations, balance sheet strength, and sound business strategies — matter again.
• As economic, credit, and liquidity risks are on the rise, it’s more important than ever to know what you own.

Risk comes from not knowing what you're doing."

? ?????? - Warren Buffett

Fear returned to the market in a big way in the first quarter. And for selective, long-term value investors, this was welcome news.

Whether or not bank failures in March wind up sparking a full-fledged financial crisis, one thing seems clear: A year into the Federal Reserve's tightening cycle, rising rates are putting balance sheets under pressure, leading to tighter lending standards, widening credit spreads, and a growing perception of risk.

An important change is that fundamentals matter again, as investors are now demanding evidence of financial strength in the aftermath of the recent collapse of Silicon Valley Bank ( SIVBQ ), Signature Bank ( SBNY ), and Silvergate Capital ( SI ). For value investors looking to own well-run businesses at reasonable prices, this is a heartening turn.

Of course, this change in mindset comes at a cost, reflected by rising volatility and risk in the market. After an early-year risk-on rally that pushed the Russell 2000® Index of small-cap stocks up nearly 10% through the start of March, concerns over a banking crisis sent the benchmark down more than 7% for the month. For the quarter, the Heartland Value Fund outperformed, returning nearly 2.74%, while the Russell 2000® Value Index closed down -0.66%.

Risk, it should be noted, isn't just a reflection of external forces like rising rates and inflation. It is also a function of what investors know - or more to the point, don't know - about the companies they own, as Warren Buffett famously noted. At a time when financial, market and economic risks are all on the rise, minimizing investor risk by knowing what you own is more critical than ever.

At Heartland, this notion of having strict standards and maintaining discipline is ingrained in our 10 Principles of Value Investing™, which demands that we focus on compelling valuations, balance sheet strength, and sound business strategies. The fact that many investors only recognized the strategic vulnerabilities of Silicon Valley Bank after it collapsed speaks volumes about how real the risk of blissful ignorance can be.

Heartland's principles are reflected in the fundamental characteristics of our holdings relative to the small-cap benchmark. Our portfolio, for instance, is underweight leverage and approximately 5% of our holdings are unprofitable based on forward earnings, versus more than 25% for the Russell 2000® Index. We prefer companies with positive earnings dynamics, including upwardly trending estimates. Given that the percentage of non-earners in the small-cap benchmark remains at uncomfortable levels, as seen in the chart below, this is a time for active value investors to be extremely selective in their investment allocations.

Monthly data from 1/31/1985 to 3/31/2023. This chart represents the small cap's percentage of the US equity market by trailing earnings and forward earnings. All indices are unmanaged. It is not possible to invest directly in an index. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Attribution Analysis & Portfolio Activity

In what was another challenging quarter marked by shifting investor sentiment, stock selection played a critical role in our performance, as is typically the case. This was particularly true in financials. Our selectivity in this sector, coupled with our underweight allocation, allowed us to outperform the benchmark in a challenging part of the market.

Financials. As the banking sector has sold off across the board, the market is now pricing in the odds of many banks needing to raise capital. This chaos creates fear, but an opportunity to discover potential opportunities through in-depth fundamental research. For instance, we were able to take advantage of markdowns in the quarter to add to companies with strategic and competitive advantages.

First Interstate BancSystem ( FIBK ) , a community bank headquartered in Billings, MT, is a good example. The banks that failed in early March lent money to specific customer bases that were high-risk. Silicon Valley Bank lent money to venture-backed startups that often generated no cash flow. In the case of Silvergate, it lent money to cryptocurrency market participants.

That's not the case with First Interstate. The company operates outside the spotlight in the Northwest. It maintains the second-largest share of deposits in Montana and Wyoming and has executed strategic acquisitions to gain access to contiguous states including Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and South Dakota. These are markets that tend to be more consolidated and less competitive, resulting in higher margins and returns relative to industry peers.

FIBK enjoys a high-quality deposit base with clients who are largely using their accounts for transactional purposes - not to chase yield. The bank only lends to traditional borrowers including local business owners and consumers, and it takes a conservative approach to loan underwriting. We believe First Interstate will be a share gainer throughout this downturn.

First Interstate underperformed other regional banks emerging from the COVID-19 recession when investors gravitated to lower-quality lenders beaten up during the pandemic. The stock, which has historically traded at a median P/E ratio of 13.6 based on forward earnings, is currently trading at just 9.7 times our FY23 estimates.

Materials. In a world of depreciating currencies, we are fans of hard assets, in particular gold miners. In our view, miners will be beneficiaries of the Federal Reserve eventually pausing, reverting to an easy money policy to stem a banking liquidity crisis. Money printing, increased deficits, and a weaker dollar are likely to increase demand for the historical storehouse of value, gold, and for those that produce it.

We own two miners, one of which is Centerra Gold ( CGAU ) . Centerra headquartered in Toronto operates the Mount Milligan mine producing gold and copper and is awaiting the restart of its Oksut, Turkish mine. Due to a startup delay, the stock has been a laggard, currently priced below book value and net asset value. However, Centerra is debt free with substantial cash and ore reserves. Plus, the stock offers a 3.25% dividend yield. Under new leadership and with the restart of Oksut, we believe the earning power, at current metal prices, could approach $0.80 per share.

Real Estate. In a market filled with uncertainty, stocks that offer investors an added margin of safety stand out. For National Storage Affiliates Trust ( NSA ) , which was a new addition in the quarter, that comes in the form of strong insider buying.

National Storage is a real estate investment trust that owns self-storage properties, with two-thirds of its facilities located in the Sun Belt. The stock has pulled back significantly, which is not surprising given the deteriorating fundamentals in real estate amid rising interest rates and cap rates. We viewed this as an opportunity to purchase a high-quality REIT at a discounted valuation.

Giving us added confidence: Storage REITs are among the best performers in the real estate sector, with net operating income margins north of 70% and the lowest recurring capital requirements. We also like the fact that NSA's insiders share in our optimism. Late last year, National Storage's executive chairman/founder and three directors were significant buyers of the stock.

Outlook

Dramatically rising interest rates were challenging enough. But now the markets are having to weigh the consequences of a banking crisis brought about by those higher rates and perhaps aggressive lending. In the long run, current anxieties are creating promising opportunities for long-term investors to identify businesses trading at discounted prices that are financially strong enough to withstand and thrive in this environment.

In the near term, though, this is a time to have a balanced approach and take what the market is giving, both on the buy and sell side. Knowing exactly what you own and setting strict standards on fundamental characteristics are, as Buffett noted, integral to reducing risk. They also happen to be rooted in Heartland's 10 Principles of Value Investing™. We believe patient investors will be ultimately rewarded.

Fundamentally Yours, the Heartland Team.

Fund Returns

3/31/2023

*Not annualized

Source: FactSet Research Systems Inc., Russell®, and Heartland Advisors, Inc.

The inception date for the Value Fund is 12/28/1984 for the investor class and 5/1/2008 for the institutional class.

In the prospectus dated 5/1/2022, the Gross Fund Operating Expenses for the investor and institutional classes of the Value Fund are 1.04% and 0.92%, respectively. The Advisor has voluntarily agreed to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses with respect to the institutional class, to the extent necessary to maintain the institutional class' "Net Annual Operating Expenses" at a ratio not to exceed 0.99% of average daily net assets. This voluntary waiver/ reimbursement may be discontinued at any time. Without such waivers and/or reimbursements, total returns may have been lower.

Past performance does not guarantee future results. Performance represents past performance; current returns may be lower or higher. Performance for institutional class shares prior to their initial offering is based on the performance of investor class shares. The investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor's shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than the original cost. All returns reflect reinvested dividends and capital gains distributions, but do not reflect the deduction of taxes that an investor would pay on distributions or redemptions. Subject to certain exceptions, shares of a Fund redeemed or exchanged within 10 days of purchase are subject to a 2% redemption fee. Performance does not reflect this fee, which if deducted would reduce an individual's return. To obtain performance through the most recent month end, call 800-432-7856 or visit heartlandadvisors.com .

An investor should consider the Funds' investment objectives, risks, and charges and expenses carefully before investing or sending money. This and other important information may be found in the Funds' prospectus . To obtain a prospectus, please call 800-432-7856 or visit heartlandadvisors.com . Please read the prospectus carefully before investing.

As of 3/31/2023, Centerra Gold, Inc. ((CGAU)), First Interstate Bancsystem, Inc. (Class A) ((FIBK)), and National Storage Affiliates Trust ((NSA)), represented 1.79%, 1.15.%, and 0.80% of the Value Fund's net assets, respectively.

Statements regarding securities are not recommendations to buy or sell.

Portfolio holdings are subject to change. Current and future portfolio holdings are subject to risk.

The Value Fund primarily invests in small companies selected on a value basis. Such securities generally are more volatile and less liquid than those of larger companies.

Value investments are subject to the risk that their intrinsic value may not be recognized by the broad market.

The Value Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation through investing in small companies.

The above individuals are registered representatives of ALPS Distributors, Inc.

The Heartland Funds are distributed by ALPS Distributors, Inc.

The statements and opinions expressed in this article are those of the presenter(s). Any discussion of investments and investment strategies represents the presenters' views as of the date created and are subject to change without notice. The opinions expressed are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. The specific securities discussed, which are intended to illustrate the advisor's investment style, do not represent all of the securities purchased, sold, or recommended by the advisor for client accounts, and the reader should not assume that an investment in these securities was or would be profitable in the future. Certain security valuations and forward estimates are based on Heartland Advisors' calculations. Any forecasts may not prove to be true.

Economic predictions are based on estimates and are subject to change.

There is no guarantee that a particular investment strategy will be successful.

Sector and Industry classifications are sourced from GICS®. The Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS®) is the exclusive intellectual property of MSCI Inc. ((MSCI)) and S&P Global Market Intelligence ("S&P"). Neither MSCI, S&P, their affiliates, nor any of their third-party providers ("GICS Parties") makes any representations or warranties, express or implied, with respect to GICS or the results to be obtained by the use thereof, and expressly disclaim all warranties, including warranties of accuracy, completeness, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. The GICS Parties shall not have any liability for any direct, indirect, special, punitive, consequential or any other damages (including lost profits) even if notified of such damages.

Heartland Advisors defines market cap ranges by the following indices: micro-cap by the Russell Microcap®, small-cap by the Russell 2000®, mid-cap by the Russell Midcap®, large-cap by the Russell Top 200®.

Because of ongoing market volatility, performance may be subject to substantial short-term changes.

Dividends are not guaranteed and a company's future ability to pay dividends may be limited. A company currently paying dividends may cease paying dividends at any time.

There is no assurance that dividend-paying stocks will mitigate volatility.

Russell Investment Group is the source and owner of the trademarks, service marks and copyrights related to the Russell Indices. Russell® is a trademark of the Frank Russell Investment Group.

Data sourced from FactSet: Copyright 2023 FactSet Research Systems Inc., FactSet Fundamentals. All rights reserved.

Heartland's investing glossary provides definitions for several terms used on this page.

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