Aura Private Credit Income Fund (previously the Aura High Yield SME Fund)

Priced monthly: next units will be issued on 1 January 2025

Minimum initial investment: $100,000 (wholesale clients)

A track record of attractive monthly income from a large diversified portfolio of business loans

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Overview

Investment Strategy

The Aura Private Credit Income Fund (previously known as the Aura High Yield SME Fund) aims to provide attractive monthly income with target returns of 9%-12% per annum from a broadly diversified portfolio of loans to businesses in Australia. The Fund invests in a select group of lenders across various industries, providing a layer of diversification regarding the loans' characteristics in the portfolio and the borrower industry. By carefully analysing the merits of businesses requiring short term loans, deep due diligence can reduce risk while offering an attractive income yield. Since its inception, there has been no loss of capital in the Fund.

Four hundred individual loans to businesses represent the majority (80%) of the portfolio. The average loan size is around $102,374 with an average term of 3-6 months. The remaining 20% is invested in a portfolio of over 10,000 business loans. This generally means any single borrower defaulting should have a negligible impact on the overall portfolio return.

Why Invest

  • Monthly income with target returns of 9%-12% per annum.
  • Strong risk-adjusted returns. Since its inception in August 2017, the Fund has provided a 9.64% p.a. net return to investors in monthly income payments for 87 months to 31 October 2024.
  • It aims to perform through the economic cycle. The business loan asset class has proven its ability to deliver income to investors through disruptive market conditions.
  • Protection against inflation because returns are earned from the interest generally charged at a floating rate above the RBA cash rate.
  • Low volatility and little correlation to public markets and therefore a complement to equities and property as the underlying Fund assets are business loans.

Fund Profile

Number of loans 13,640 loans via eight lending platforms
Style Income
Benchmark RBA Cash rate plus 5%
Fund fact sheet Download

Montgomery Investment Management has a Distribution Partnership with Aura Credit Holdings Pty Ltd.

Investment Manager

Investment Manager: Aura Credit Holdings Pty Ltd (ACH)

Brett Craig, Director Private Credit, ACH, is responsible for portfolio management and asset origination for both the Aura Private Credit Income Fund and the Aura Core Income Fund.

ACH is the private credit division of Aura Group. ACH is owned by Brett Craig, Director Private Credit, Aura Credit Holdings, Aura Group and Montgomery Investment Management.

Founded in Australia in 2009, Aura Group has more than 1 billion under advice and management as of 31 January 2024. It is privately owned by staff members and strategic investors. 

Aura Private Credit Income Fund wins best fixed interest fund second year running at the HFM Asian performance awards 

We're thrilled to share the exciting news that the Aura Private Credit Income Fund has won the fixed income fund of the year award at the prestigious 2023 HFM Asian performance awards!

This marks an incredible second consecutive win for the private credit fund, highlighting its consistent excellence.

Previously known as the Aura High Yield SME Fund.

About the fund See all videos

 

Roger Montgomery is joined by Brett Craig from Aura Credit Holdings in this update to celebrate the seventh anniversary of the Aura Private Credit Income Fund (previously known as the Aura High Yield SME Fund). They highlight the Fund’s track record of outperforming the stock market with no volatility and consistently providing stable monthly income, even through challenges like COVID. Brett Craig emphasises the Fund's structure, offering a well-diversified loan portfolio, and additional protection through warehouse structures.

 

Brett Craig spoke with James Marlay from Livewire as part of their 2023 Income Series to share his views on the drivers for this income opportunity, how the current economic environment is impacting various sectors of the economy and where he is seeing opportunities to generate income. Please note that the video refers to the Aura High Yield SME Fund, which is now known as the Aura Private Credit Income Fund.

RATINGS

The Aura Private Credit Income Fund (previously the Aura High Yield SME Fund) has been graded by Foresight Analytics as Very Strong. 

The Aura Private Credit Income Fund (previously the Aura High Yield SME Fund) has received a Commended rating from Evergreen Ratings. 

Performance

Comparative Returns Since Inception to 31/10/2024 (After all fees)

From its inception in August 2017, the Aura Private Credit Income Fund (previously known as the Aura High Yield SME Fund) has consistently outperformed its benchmark, delivering a compound annual return of 9.64%; after expenses and assuming reinvestment of distributions.

PERFORMANCE CHART
LATEST UNIT PRICE
FUND PERFORMANCE
INCOME DISTRIBUTION
[["Date","APCIF - Cash Dist.","APCIF Value - Dist. Reinvested","RBA Cash Rate - Dist. Reinvested","Benchmark - Dist. Reinvested","S&P Australia High Yield Corporate Bond Index","ASX 200 (Adjusted Close)"],["Jul-17",100000,100000,100000,100000,100000,100000],["Aug-17",100839.6,100839.6,100127.4,100552.05,100570.78,99893.37],["Sep-17",101712.7,101720.03,100250.84,101089.25,101079.86,99318.26],["Oct-17",102622.7,102645.68,100378.56,101647.32,101532.37,103293.36],["Nov-17",103516.2,103562.82,100502.31,102190.37,102005.45,104357.93],["Dec-17",104443.8,104523.47,100630.35,102754.51,102545.38,106022.1],["Jan-18",105374.3,105496.06,100758.55,103321.77,103270.43,105543.13],["Feb-18",106217.5,106385.6,100874.49,103836.97,103733.22,105163.79],["Mar-18",107146.9,107374.35,101003,104410.2,103980.05,100678.25],["Apr-18",108006.9,108297.77,101127.53,104968.01,104391.42,104581.69],["May-18",108924.9,109291.95,101256.36,105547.49,104617.68,105092.12],["Jun-18",109804.9,110253.71,101381.2,106111.38,105157.61,108285.85],["Jul-18",110714.9,111257.02,101510.35,106697.17,106844.24,109782.19],["Aug-18",111614.9,112258.34,101639.68,107286.2,107816.12,110469.18],["Sep-18",112489.3,113239.92,101764.99,107859.37,108428.04,108513.09],["Oct-18",113389.3,114259.08,101894.63,108454.81,108823.98,101917.63],["Nov-18",114251.3,115244,102020.25,109034.23,109554.17,99066.53],["Dec-18",115151.3,116281.19,102150.23,109636.16,110320.36,98702.93],["Jan-19",115971.3,117234.7,102280.36,110241.41,110778.01,102518.97],["Feb-19",116761.3,118160.85,102398.05,110791.11,111616.19,107838.34],["Mar-19",117606.7,119159.78,102528.51,111402.73,112809.17,108042.87],["Apr-19",118396.7,120101.15,102654.91,111997.9,113883.89,110574.07],["May-19",119236.7,121110,102785.69,112616.19,114588.37,111822.18],["Jun-19",120064.74,122112.83,102891.29,113194.7,116789.22,115701.15],["Jul-19",120814.74,123028.68,102978.68,113771.52,118275.31,119088.91],["Aug-19",121556.6,123941.38,103066.14,114351.29,119062.07,115445.94],["Sep-19",122297.6,124859.79,103150.85,114915.22,120645.86,116916.05],["Oct-19",123077.6,125833.69,103216.56,115476.41,120532.73,116480.79],["Nov-19",123801.42,126744.5,103280.19,116022.16,119087.78,119672.76],["Dec-19",124521.42,127657.06,103345.97,116588.76,119206.05,116842.64],["Jan-20",125251.42,128588.96,103411.8,117158.13,120321.9,122665.46],["Feb-20",125981.42,129527.66,103471.3,117674.91,119941.38,112596.58],["Mar-20",126731.42,130499.12,103493.27,118199.61,111744.74,88745.94],["Apr-20",127451.42,131438.71,103514.54,118709.65,83380.47,96535.33],["May-20",128181.42,132398.21,103536.52,119238.96,83159.36,100613.57],["Jun-20",128901.42,133351.48,103557.79,119753.49,83210.78,103099.33],["Jul-20",129645.62,134343.88,103579.78,120287.45,84115.8,103622],["Aug-20",130405.62,135364.9,103601.77,120823.8,84259.78,105941.68],["Sep-20",131157.28,136382.38,103623.06,121345.17,85391.06,101665.91],["Oct-20",131895.8,137389.59,103645.06,121886.23,86476.06,103618.5],["Nov-20",132615.8,138378.79,103653.58,122397.15,88003.29,113935.6],["Dec-20",133355.8,139402.8,103662.38,122927.32,88363.24,115147.01],["Jan-21",134105.8,140448.32,103671.19,123459.78,88548.36,115501.87],["Feb-21",134775.8,141389.32,103679.14,123942.79,87874.74,116653.85],["Mar-21",135515.8,142435.6,103687.95,124479.65,88455.8,118706.08],["Apr-21",136245.8,143475.38,103696.47,125001.44,90744.07,122815.79],["May-21",136985.8,144537.1,103705.28,125542.89,90970.33,125189.67],["Jun-21",137635.8,145476.59,103713.8,126069.14,92682.68,127836.24],["Jul-21",138385.8,146567.67,103722.61,126615.21,94420.73,129227.7],["Aug-21",139105.8,147622.95,103731.42,127163.64,94981.23,131715.2],["Sep-21",139815.8,148671.08,103739.94,127696.68,93993.93,128171.87],["Oct-21",140525.8,149726.64,103748.75,128249.8,91433.13,128023.28],["Nov-21",141235.8,150789.7,103757.28,128787.4,92291.87,126839.84],["Dec-21",141895.8,151784.91,103766.09,129345.24,92934.64,130136.7],["Jan-22",142625.8,152892.94,103774.91,129905.5,92605.54,118721.81],["Feb-22",143255.8,153856.17,103782.87,130413.73,91829.07,122326.33],["Mar-22",143875.8,154810.08,103791.68,130978.62,89695.07,131098.14],["Apr-22",144515.8,155800.86,103800.21,131527.66,88625.49,129968.88],["May-22",145115.8,156735.67,103831.07,132125.3,88898.03,126056.71],["Jun-22",145725.8,157691.75,103903.61,132760.58,86064.69,114814.88],["Jul-22",146395.8,158748.29,104022.74,133532.96,88697.49,121406.85],["Aug-22",147065.8,159811.9,104186.19,134309.83,87293.67,122128.65],["Sep-22",147745.8,160898.62,104387.42,135121.21,87314.24,113169.09],["Oct-22",148445.8,162024.91,104617.93,135993.39,87082.84,119973.36],["Nov-22",149123.22,163122.5,104863,136870.82,87519.93,127327.38],["Dec-22",149823.22,164264.36,105183.62,137539.24,86877.15,123036.38],["Jan-23",150643.22,165611.37,105505.22,138818.93,88964.88,130779.33],["Feb-23",151323.22,166737.53,105816.82,139761.38,89268.27,126876.92],["Mar-23",152115.8,168059.06,106185.3,140841.564,90286.42,125467.15],["Apr-23",152855.8,169302.7,106543.13,141894.98,91314.86,127764.03],["May-23",153575.03,170520.38,106891.51,142961.52,90440.68,123956.18],["Jun-23",154427.84,171974.71,107251.72,144030.8,91818.79,125913.77],["Jul-23",155233.82,173360.8,107625.19,145143.98,92009.05,129534.23],["Aug-23",156029.89,174740.86,107999.96,146265.76,91407.42,127564.75],["Sep-23",156822.78,176126.37,108363.91,147359.75,91551.4,123210.31],["Oct-23",157588.48,177474.98,108741.25,148498.66,91983.34,118526.37],["Nov-23",158357.8,178840.32,109130.04,149639.86,93310.02,123886.61],["Dec-23",159169.63,180292.2,109533.22,150828.16,95125.21,132687.62],["Jan-24",159949.46,181698.18,109937.89,152025.91,96899.26,134259.07],["Feb-24",160720.02,183098.27,110304.75,153116.33,97207.8,134573.37],["Mar-24",161532.31,184585.55,110712.28,154332.24,97943.13,138037.2],["Apr-24",162315.21,186030.7,111108.11,155518.27,98184.81,133968.03],["May-24",163112.5,187537.1,111518.6,156753.26,99316.09,134626.5],["Jun-24",163874.98,188943.63,111917.32,157957.89,100046.28,135775.47],["Jul-24",164664.98,190436.28,112330.8,159212.25,101198.13,141454.02],["Aug-24",165426.7,191886.86,112745.81,160476.57,102185.43,141445.63],["Sep-24",166208.6,193387.3,113148.91,161709.8,102776.8,144556.7],["Oct-24",166973.41,194866.28,113566.95,162993.98,103578.96,142992.79],["",null,null,null,null,null,null]]

Source: ASX 200 (^AXJO) Adjusted Close Historical Data
Source: S&P Global - S&P Australia High Yield Corporate Bond Index Historical Data

*Past performance is not an indication of future performance

  Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
2017/18   1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00
2018/19 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00
2019/20 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00
2020/21 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00
2021/22 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00  1.00  1.00 1.00
2022/23 1.00  1.00  1.00  1.00  1.00  1.00  1.00  1.00  1.00  1.00  1.00  1.00
2023/24 1.00  1.00  1.00  1.00  1.00  1.00  1.00  1.00  1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00
2024/25 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00                

Source: Aura Private Credit Income Fund Performance Update, July 2022. The Fund’s inception date is August 2017. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.

Fund Performance

94.87%
Aura Private Credit Income Fund
62.99%
RBA Cash Rate + 5% p.a.
31.87%
Out/Under Performance
  Aura Private Credit Income Fund RBA cash rate plus 5% p.a. (Benchmark) RBA cash Out/Under Performance
1 month 0.76% 0.79% 0.37% -0.03%
3 months 2.33% 2.38% 1.10% -0.05%
6 months 4.75% 4.81% 2.21% -0.06%
12 months 9.80% 9.76% 4.44% 0.04%
2 years (p.a)  9.64% 9.50% 4.19% 0.14%
3 years (p.a)  9.17% 8.32% 3.06% 0.85%
5 years (p.a) 9.14% 7.14% 1.93% 2.01%
Since Inception 94.87% 62.99% 13.57% 31.87%
Compounded Annual Return 9.64% 6.97% 1.77% 2.67%

 

Note: Performance net of fees and expenses. Returns assume reinvestment of all distributions. Past performance is not an indicator of future performance.
The cumulative return is the total return since inception and assumes reinvestment of all distributions.
1. Inception date: 1 August 2017.
2. The Benchmark is the RBA Cash Rate plus 5% p.a.

Aura Funds Management has distributed the following income since inception:

  Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
2017/18   0.84% 0.87%  0.91% 0.89% 0.93% 0.93% 0.84% 0.93% 0.86% 0.92% 0.88%
2018/19 0.91% 0.90% 0.87% 0.90% 0.86% 0.90% 0.82%  0.79% 0.85% 0.79% 0.84% 0.83%
2019/20 0.75% 0.74% 0.75% 0.78% 0.72% 0.72% 0.73%  0.73% 0.75% 0.72% 0.73% 0.72%
2020/21 0.74% 0.76% 0.74% 0.73% 0.72% 0.74%  0.75% 0.67% 0.74% 0.73% 0.74% 0.65%
2021/22 0.75% 0.72%  0.71% 0.71% 0.71%  0.66% 0.73% 0.63% 0.62%  0.64% 0.60% 0.61%
2022/23 0.67%  0.67% 0.68%  0.70% 0.68% 0.73%  0.79% 0.68% 0.79%   0.74% 0.75%  0.78%
2023/24 0.81%  0.80% 0.79%   0.77%  0.77% 0.81%   0.78% 0.77% 0.81%  0.78% 0.81%  0.75%
2024/25 0.79% 0.76% 0.78% 0.76%                

Aura Funds Management may also notify investors from time to time that investors may participate in an arrangement to re-invest their distributions into new Units of the Fund. There may be periods when net income could be negative, and no distribution is made. 

You should read the Information Memorandum (IM) before deciding to acquire units in the product.

Units in the Aura Private Credit Income Fund (Fund) are issued by Aura Funds Management Pty Ltd (ABN 96 607 158 814, Authorised Representative No. 1233893 of Aura Capital Pty Ltd (ABN 48 143 700 887, AFSL No. 366 230)) (Aura). Aura is the trustee of the Fund and a subsidiary of Aura Group Pty Ltd.

This information is for wholesale or sophisticated investors only and is provided by Montgomery Investment Management Pty Ltd (ABN 73 139 161 701, AFSL No. 354 564) as the authorised distributor of the Fund.

An investment in the Fund must be through a valid paper or online application form accompanying the Information Memorandum.

The information provided is general in nature and does not take into account your investment objectives, financial situation or particular needs. Before making an investment decision you should read the Information Memorandum and (if appropriate) seek professional advice from a licensed financial advisor to determine whether the investment is suitable for you.

The investment returns or repayment of capital of the Fund are not guaranteed.

The value of an investment may rise or fall and you may risk losing some or all of your capital.  Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.

Investment Team

The underlying investment philosophy of Aura Credit Holdings is to drive active strategies that provide strong regular income. The team maintains a focus on capital preservation through counterparty selection, deal structuring, asset security, diversification, and portfolio construction. The investment team comprises of seasoned professionals with skills and experience to deliver opportunities across the risk spectrum, driving risk-adjusted returns for our investors.

Brett Craig is the Portfolio Manager of the Aura Private Credit Income Fund and the Aura Core Income Fund and is supported by a team of investment analysts, Brian Ho, James Chapman and Natalie Kolenda.

Brett Craig leads the daily management of the Fund.

Meet our people

Brett Craig

Director Private Credit
Read Bio +

HOW TO INVEST

After accessing the Information Memorandum and reading in full the investment objectives and risks of investing in the Aura Private Credit Income Fund:

1

Complete the online application form at Olivia 123 and ID verification online (approx. 10 minutes)

2

Submit the completed application form to the Administrator online

3

Transfer the funds and an investment confirmation will be issued by the Administrator

If you wish to make an additional investment (top-up) an existing investment in the Aura Private Credit Income Fund, please see the instructions here.

NOT READY TO INVEST YET?

Download the fund information pack or if you would prefer to talk it over, call David Buckland or Toby Roberts on 02 8046 5000 to discuss the Aura Private Credit Income Fund in more detail.

Want to invest in your personal super instead?

Our partnership with industry-leading superannuation provider, netwealth, can help.

Insights Subscribe to insights

November 20, 2024

Compelling reasons to add private credit to your portfolio today 

By Roger Montgomery

With a legacy exceeding 14 years, Montgomery Investment Management is committed to preserving and growing the wealth of individual investors and their families.    Over that decade and a half, we’ve watched the unique needs and goals of over 10,000 investors change and mature, and we’ve responded by innovating and expanding our range of investment strategies.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • 1. Is this Fund suitable for me?

    The Fund has a medium-term (2-5 years) objective suitable for wholesale clients seeking a reliable monthly income solution.

    Investment in the Fund can only be made by persons who are wholesale clients as defined in Section 761G and Section 761GA of the Corporations Act. View wholesale client definition

    The Fund is offered under an Information Memorandum and is an open-ended unit trust that is not registered with ASIC as a managed investment scheme.

  • 2. What is the Fund’s investment objective?

    The Fund aims to provide a 9%-12% yield, distributed as a reliable monthly income from a diversified portfolio of online lending businesses that offer small short-term loans to businesses.

  • 3. Where does the Fund invest?

    The portfolio invests across a select group of lenders that provide small, short-term loans to businesses across various industries. The Fund invests in high-quality asset-backed business loans, director guaranteed loans, senior loans to financial technology and alternative finance companies. 

    The Fund invests in lenders that satisfy the following criteria:

    1. There is an underlying exposure to businesses;
    2. There are processes for robust credit assessments of the underlying business borrowers;
    3. The lender has a scalable business model with a robust medium-term outlook to ensure the debts will be serviced to a high standard to maturity; and
    4. The lender’s management team has a proven track record.


    The Fund will also invest in other forms of debt with underlying exposures to businesses, including senior debt, asset-backed securities such as notes, and bonds issued by securitisation trusts (including covered bonds) and loans made via peer-to-peer lending platforms.

    Please refer to Section 4: Investment Plan on page 13 of the IM for further information on the Fund's investment plan.

  • 4. What is the minimum initial investment?

    The minimum investment and minimum wholesale client balance are $100,000.

    You may also add to your initial investment through a lump sum additional investment. Additional investments are accepted every month and will be processed on the first business day of each month (provided an application is made before 5 pm on the last business day of the preceding month and the application monies are received by the issue date.)

    The Fund’s net asset value is determined on the last business day of the preceding month before processing an application.

  • 5. How often is income paid?

    Since its inception, the Fund has paid a monthly distribution every month. View distribution history. It is intended that the Fund will continue to make monthly income distributions to investors.

  • 6. Is there a distribution reinvestment plan available?

    Yes, you can elect to take distributions as follows:

    • Direct deposit to a bank account in the name of the entity investing; or
    • Reinvestment in the Distribution Reinvestment Plan 'DRP'. If no election is made on your application form when you invest, then distributions will automatically be reinvested in the DRP.
  • 7. Where can I view the Fund’s unit price?
  • 8. How can I see my unit balance and investment value online?

    To access your investment online please visit the client portal by clicking on the button below. If you are logging in for the first time, please create an account and add your investment with your account number or investment profile ID.

    Login

  • 9. How do I redeem funds?

    To redeem your holding, fill out the Redemption Request Form and have it signed by the authorised signatories on the account. Please download the Redemption Request Form here.

    An investor may make a redemption request for any Units held by the investor which have been on issue for at least one month. Provided there is available cash for Aura Funds Management Pty Ltd to do so. Valid redemption requests will be processed at the redemption date in each month and will generally be paid on the date which is ten days after the relevant redemption date. There is no guarantee that there will be any available cash for redemption.

    A valid redemption request is one received by Aura Funds Management Pty Ltd between 30 and 45 days before the relevant redemption date. There will typically be a redemption date on the first business day of each month.

  • 10. What has been the default rate in the Fund since inception?

    The Fund has had a very low rate of defaults within underlying loans, lending vehicles or late payments. No defaults of underlying loans have led to capital losses within the Fund.

     

     

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