MAGELLAN - In The Know

Powering up — The vaulting potential of WEC Energy Group

One of the USA’s largest power generation and gas distribution firms, WEC Energy Group supplies electricity to 4.6 million customers — including some of the country’s biggest manufacturers — across Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan and Minnesota. The company has delivered attractive and consistent returns as part of the Magellan portfolio for more than ten years. WEC Energy’s Executive Chairman, Gale Klappa, says the power provider should see growth thanks to a huge expansion in demand that will stem from the green energy revolution. Gale Klappa explains how embracing renewable technologies and diversifying generation methods can deliver the three things desired by shareholders, regulators and customers: affordable, reliable and clean energy.

Spirit of success — Diageo’s compounding value and growing market share

A recent addition to the Magellan Global Strategy, Diageo is now the world’s leading producer of distilled spirits, with top shelf brands like Johnny Walker, Smirnoff and many more. Despite the pandemic, the company’s global revenue has compounded at over 9% p.a. over the past three years, as spirits have gained share of total alcohol sales, and consumers have increasingly chosen to “drink better” rather than drink more. Chief Executive, Ivan Menezes, says there’s even more room to grow in the sector, in both the developing world and traditionally wealthier markets. And he says Diageo’s “obsession” with consumers, excellence in brand building and company culture of efficiency will enable resilient performance through troubled economic times.

A Pivotal Moment that could decide how this century plays out

The future of the 21^st Century could be decided in the coming months. That’s the view of Secretary Leon Panetta former US Secretary of Defence.  Secretary Panetta speaks to Magellan’s Head of Macro and co-Portfolio Manager of the Global Equity Strategy, Arvid Streimann, about geopolitics and the challenges for democracies globally. It is a wide-ranging and thought-provoking interview about the place in history in which we find ourselves.

Payments “Revolution” — Visa drives a surge in digital transactions

The world’s largest payment network, which facilitates more than 6000 transactions every second, is in the front seat of the digital payments’ revolution . VISA has enjoyed a doubling of its volumes in many regions over the past three years, thanks to the increased uptake of digital payments across the world. VISA Vice Chair and CFO, Vasant Prabhu, says his company’s primary mission to replace cash and cheques with digital payments is gathering pace, with huge opportunities still to come. In this episode, Vasant is interviewed by Magellan Deputy CIO and Head of ESG, Domenico Giuliano, and Magellan Portfolio Manager Elisa Di Marco,  about VISA’s attractive and innovative business, the way the pandemic has multiplied volumes, and the implications of new payment options like crypto currencies, electronic wallets, real-time payments, and the impact of regulation.

The road to a sound investment — Transurban’s strategy for success

Infrastructure investment is a long-term activity, so it pays to identify areas of potential and start talking to governments early. That’s the methodology employed by Scott Charlton, who is the CEO of the world’s biggest toll-road operator — Transurban. Scott outlines how the company concentrates on areas of growth in the three markets where it has a competitive advantage, namely Australia, the USA and Canada. In this podcast episode, Scott Charlton is interviewed by Magellan Infrastructure Portfolio Manager, Ofer Karliner, and Head of Infrastructure Gerald Stack, about Transurban’s way of doing business, as well as the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.

In Conversation with John Sevior, a veteran Australian equities investor, on his long-term approach to markets over the last 30+ years.

Identifying underappreciated quality businesses, as well as keeping an eagle eye out for diamonds in the rough, underlines the approach of one of the industry’s leading Australian Equities players: Airlie Funds Management, a business that Magellan purchased in 2018. John Sevior has a long track record of managing funds on behalf of individuals, superannuation funds, public institutions and charities. In this episode, John is interviewed by Bryce Leske and Alec Renehan from the Equity Mates podcast (one of Australia's leading financial media brands popular with younger investors) about his overall approach to investment, current market conditions, and some of his favourite examples of underappreciated, high-quality companies.

War in Europe

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has sent geopolitical and economic shockwaves around the globe, creating new risks to the investment outlook. A combination of strong western government and corporate responses has drastic implications for commodities, food security and raises the possibility that NATO nations may be drawn into a wider conflict. But as Russia’s military fails to meet its objectives, what does a settlement look like, and what are the implications for a Russian president whose aspirations of a resurrected Russian empire appear to be collapsing? Former US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence for Russia, Ukraine and Eurasia Evelyn Farkas, and former Deputy Director of the CIA Michael Morell dissect and shed light on the situation with Magellan’s Head of Macro and Portfolio Manager Arvid Streimann.

(interview recorded on 25 March 2022)

Has the party run out of punch? A panel discussion with senior members of Magellan’s investment team

Markets have softened after the recent rally, with investors apparently factoring in inflation and interest rate hikes during 2022. Will Magellan’s key investments stand to strengthen from such an environment? In this episode, key members of Magellan’s investment team put a spotlight on current macroeconomic issues and the outlook for two key sectors in our portfolio: payments and technology. Magellan Head of Macro and Portfolio Manager Arvid Streimann, Portfolio Manager Elisa Di Marco and Investment Analyst Adrian Lu are hosted by Key Account Manager Jennifer Herbert in this wide-ranging panel discussion.

Prudence in Volatile Times — A panel discussion with senior members of Magellan’s investment team

Looking back at the extraordinary year of 2021, and towards the year ahead, three senior members of the Magellan investment team explain their approach to managing key sectors and stocks in Magellan’s global portfolio. In this special edition, Magellan’s Key Account Manager, Jennifer Herbert, interviews Head of Technology, Communications and Media for Magellan, Ryan Joyce, Co-Head of Franchises Hannah Dickinson and Head of Financials Alan Pullen. Together these experts look at the volatility of the current investment landscape as well as  potential challenges faced with exposure to  China and the inflationary economic outlook.

The coming ‘viral blizzard‘

In this episode, one of the world’s foremost epidemiologists, and a member of President-elect Joe Biden's Transition COVID-19 Advisory Board, Dr Michael Osterholm, talks to Hamish Douglass, Magellan’s Chairman and CIO, about what he calls 'the coming viral blizzard’ and the arrival of the Omicron variant. He has some sobering news for anyone who thinks the pandemic is behind us, warning governments around the world will need to either drastically change their public health policies to deal with what will be an overwhelming situation for hospitals, or consider fresh lockdowns.