Today’s global uncertainties will linger into 2012-13 and beyond, says the manager of one of the country’s highly regarded Australian equity funds. In the meantime, there are still ways for Australian investors to generate positive returns.

“The impact of today’s global uncertainties on the Australian economy, stockmarket and investors this financial year can be separated into those associated with a crisis of confidence and those associated with ongoing debt deleveraging,” says Paul Taylor, Head of Australian Equities at Fidelity Worldwide Investment.

“The impacts from a crisis of confidence in Europe will primarily be focused on eurozone and global debt markets. This could potentially impact Australian corporates with higher debt levels as well as Australian banks seeking wholesale funding. Currently Australian corporates have very low debt levels and Australian banks have been reducing their dependence on wholesale funding due to the very strong growth in domestic term deposits.

“The damage from a crisis of confidence would likely be fleeting. If anything, it might create a short-term buying opportunity for local investors in the Australian market,” says Mr Taylor, who is also Portfolio Manager of the Fidelity Australian Equities Fund.

“In contrast, ongoing global debt reduction will slow global economic growth for a sustained period.

“But a lower growth world is not necessarily bad for markets or investors,” says Mr Taylor. “There are still ways for Australian investors to generate income and returns.

“The Australian market has one of the highest dividends yields in the world and some of the best growth prospects.

“Australian dividend yields are high and sustainable and even if world markets do not go anywhere in 2012-13 investors can receive close to a 6% fully franked yield from the local Australian market.

“With the cash rate heading down, this yield will look more and more attractive to investors. Companies that can deliver a high and sustainable dividend yield, or companies that have growth in a low growth world, or both, will be bid up by the market. They are the ones we want to own.

“At present, whether a company is a good quality company, low quality company, high growth, low growth; pretty much all companies are trading around very similar ranges. We think there should be differentiation, there should be discernment in the market – and there will be at some stage – and that’s where we see opportunities.”

Mr Taylor also notes “I also think there is also some confusion in the market about what is being caused by Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) interest rate settings and what is being caused by larger structural shifts in markets and economies. Bricks and mortar retailers are facing structural headwinds that have more to do with consumer preference changes, focus on value for money and channel to market and very little to do with interest rate policy.

“Interest rate settings will not change the longer term structural themes playing out in the economy. The significant structural headwinds facing large parts of the automotive sector, aluminium smelting, steel, media and bricks and mortar retailers will be there for a prolonged period regardless of interest rates.”

2 July 2012

This document is issued by FIL Responsible Entity (Australia) Limited ABN 33 148 059 009, AFSL No. 409340 (“Fidelity Australia”).  Fidelity Australia is a member of the FIL Limited group of companies commonly known as Fidelity Worldwide Investment. This document is intended for use by advisers and wholesale investors. Retail investors should not rely on any information in this document without first seeking advice from their financial adviser. This document has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs.  You should consider these matters before acting on the information.  You also should consider the Product Disclosure Statements (“PDS”) for respective Fidelity products before making a decision whether to acquire or hold the product.  The relevant PDS can be obtained by contacting Fidelity Australia on 1800 119 270 or by downloading from our website at www.fidelity.com.au. The issuer of Fidelity’s managed investment schemes is FIL Responsible Entity (Australia) Limited ABN 33 148 059 009. Details about Fidelity Australia’s provision of financial services to retail clients are set out in our Financial Services Guide, a copy of which can be downloaded from our website at www.fidelity.com.au. © 2012 FIL Responsible Entity (Australia) Limited. Fidelity, Fidelity Worldwide Investment and the Fidelity Worldwide Investment logo and F symbol are trademarks of FIL Limited.