Overview | Searchlight Asia Pacific Fund
Searchlight Asia Pacific Fund launched on 1 October 2010, is a successful Australian based absolute return fund.
The key investors in the Fund are Philip Mathews and various high networth individuals. The minimum investment for new investors is $250,000.
The Fund is jointly managed by Glen Barnes and Angus Wright. Glen Barnes and Angus Wright have worked together for over 8 years and have extensive experience in the hedge fund and finance industries.
The Fund employs a high conviction thematic long/short strategy, investing primarily in Australian and Asian listed equities. The Fund also invests in selected commodities, derivatives and potentially unlisted securities that will likely be listed within 12 months.
The Fund’s investment philosophy is focused on identifying key medium term thematics, finding cheap securities within the thematics, sourcing direct information and looking for asymmetric return profiles.
The research effort focuses on sourcing direct information from corporates and industry experts. This includes a large number of meetings with senior management, engaging the services of industry consultants, lawyers and other professional service providers, undertaking numerous site tours of potential investment opportunities, attending industry conferences and events and reading various annual reports, company presentations and industry reports. The team attempts to minimise the use of sell side analysts.
The Fund hedges downside risk through a range of index and single stock shorts, derivatives and macro thematic trades.
To date gearing in the portfolio has been minimal to zero, however the manager can increase gearing if he thinks it is appropriate. It is highly likely gearing will be kept at low to moderate levels in the medium term.
The Fund is an Australian domiciled unlisted unit trust. The Manager is jointly owned by Mathews Capital Partners and Glen Barnes.