As a huge sports fan, I, like everyone else, have my favourite players. AFL (apologies to rugby fans), NFL, NBA/NBL, F1, Soccer – you name it, I have a favourite.
If you’re lucky, your favourite players manage to avoid devastating injuries and build longstanding careers. But even then, around a decade is typically the span of elite athletic performance.
Every now and then, however, a star player comes along who manages to rack up games, seasons, and even decades. I’m talking about the LeBron James’ of the world. LeBron has been operating at an elite level since 2003 and is about to enter his 23rd NBA season – remarkable!
(Honourable mentions go to Tom Brady, Serena Williams, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Tiger Woods, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi - all of whom clocked up 20 years of elite performance.)
What on earth does this have to do with markets, I hear you ask? Bear with me. LeBron’s longevity got me wondering – which Aussie funds have been around for 20 years plus? Before we take a look at the list, however, let’s establish why this even matters.
**Sustained excellence**
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Above all else, you simply don’t make it to 20 years in any field unless you’re pretty damn good at what you do. No one lasts simply because they exist. The world is too competitive a place, and if there is money to be made, someone will find a way to do it better or cheaper – or both.
No. To last 20 years, you have to be excellent, and that excellence must be sustained, perhaps not 100% of the time, but certainly most of it.
Other features that you might need to last 20 years include;
**1\. Relentless work ethic**
Elite performers are distinguished by their unwavering commitment to hard work. They embrace rigorous training, meticulous attention to detail, and are willing to make personal sacrifices to achieve their goals. This relentless dedication is a cornerstone of sustained success.
**2\. Mental toughness**
Mental toughness encompasses resilience, confidence, and the ability to maintain focus under pressure. It's the psychological edge that allows people to persevere through challenges and maintain high performance levels consistently.
**3\. Adaptability and growth mindset**
Long-term success often hinges on the ability to adapt and embrace change. High performers view challenges as opportunities for growth, continuously seeking ways to improve and evolve in their respective fields.
**4\. Goal-oriented focus**
Setting clear, measurable goals provides direction and motivation. Elite performers establish both short-term and long-term objectives, using them as benchmarks to track progress and maintain focus on their overarching mission.
**5\. Discipline and consistency**
Consistency in daily habits and routines is vital. Elite performers demonstrate discipline in their preparation, practice, and execution, ensuring that high standards are met consistently over time.
The list
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From the data we have access to (which may not be exhaustive), 74 funds have been in operation since 1 July 2005 - the cut-off date for a two-decade tenure. There were also a couple of LICs and ETFs that were in the mix, but I was only interested in managed funds.
Fund Name
Asset Class
Inception Date
Janus Henderson
Australian Fixed Interest Fund
Fixed Income - AU
28/06/1994
Janus Henderson
Conservative Fixed Interest Fund
Fixed Income - AU
28/06/1994
Macquarie Australian Fixed Interest Fund
Fixed Income - AU
15/05/1995
First Sentier
Wholesale Strategic Cash Fund
Fixed Income - AU
25/05/1998
Western Asset Australian Bond Fund
Fixed Income - AU
1/10/1998
PIMCO Diversified Fixed Interest Fund
Fixed Income - AU
31/05/1999
PIMCO Australian Bond Fund
Fixed Income - AU
31/07/1999
Yarra Australian Bond Fund
Fixed Income - AU
30/06/2000
Western Asset
Conservative Income Fund
Fixed Income - AU
9/04/2001
Yarra Enhanced Income Fund
Fixed Income - AU
30/06/2003
Macquarie
Income Opportunities Fund
Fixed Income - AU
19/09/2003
Schroder Fixed Income Fund
\- Wholesale Class
Fixed Income - AU
25/02/2004
PIMCO Global Bond Fund
Fixed Income - Global
31/07/1998
PIMCO Global Credit Fund
Fixed Income - Global
4/12/2001
First Sentier Global Credit Income Fund
Fixed Income - Global
4/01/2002
Bentham Global Income Fund
Fixed Income - Global
16/09/2003
Martin Currie Diversified Growth Fund
Multi Asset
24/04/1996
Yarra Income Plus Fund
Multi Asset
31/05/1998
Schroder Strategic Growth Fund
\- Wholesale Class
Multi Asset
23/08/2002
AMP Capital
Wholesale Australian Property Fund
Property - AU
19/02/1985
First Sentier
Wholesale Global Property Securities
Property - Global
11/05/2004
Schroder Australian Equity Fund - PC
Shares - AU
3/03/1964
First Sentier Wholesale Australian
Small Companies Fund
Shares - AU
31/12/1993
Hyperion
Australian Growth Companies Fund
Shares - AU
31/01/1994
Alphinity Australian Share Fund
Shares - AU
31/10/1994
Hyperion Small Growth Companies Fund
Shares - AU
1/01/1995
Tyndall Australian Share Wholesale Fund
Shares - AU
27/03/1995
Yarra Australian Equities Fund
Shares - AU
31/07/1996
Perpetual
Wholesale Smaller Companies Fund
Shares - AU
30/10/1996
Perpetual Australian Share
Shares - AU
26/02/1997
Ausbil Australian Active Equity
Shares - AU
31/07/1997
Yarra Emerging Leaders Fund
Shares - AU
30/09/1997
Investors Mutual Australian Share Fund
Shares - AU
15/06/1998
Investors Mutual
Australian Smaller Companies Fund
Shares - AU
30/06/1998
Martin Currie Sustainable Equity Fund
Shares - AU
30/09/1998
Perpetual
Wholesale Concentrated Equity Fund
Shares - AU
6/08/1999
Antares High Growth Shares Fund
Shares - AU
6/12/1999
Lazard Australian Equity Fund (W Class)
Shares - AU
16/10/2000
Perpetual Wholesale Ethical SRI Fund
Shares - AU
24/04/2002
Ausbil Australian Emerging Leaders
Shares - AU
1/05/2002
Investors Mutual
All Industrials Share Fund
Shares - AU
1/05/2002
Investors Mutual
Wholesale Future Leaders Fund
Shares - AU
1/05/2002
Lazard Select Australian Equity Fund
(W Class)
Shares - AU
7/06/2002
Antares Elite Opportunities Fund
Shares - AU
18/11/2002
Perpetual SHARE-PLUS Long-Short Fund
Shares - AU
14/03/2003
Fidelity Australian Equities Fund
Shares - AU
30/06/2003
Eley Griffiths Group Small Companies
Shares - AU
12/09/2003
WaveStone Australian Share Fund
Shares - AU
17/11/2003
OC Micro-Cap Fund
Shares - AU
30/11/2003
Investors Mutual Equity Income Fund
Shares - AU
1/05/2004
Alphinity
Concentrated Australian Share Fund
Shares - AU
1/11/2004
Pengana Emerging Companies Fund
Shares - AU
1/11/2004
Pendal Focus Australian Share Fund
Shares - AU
1/04/2005
Platinum International Fund
Shares - Global
30/04/1995
Yarra Global Share Fund
Shares - Global
30/11/1995
MFS Global Equity Trust
Shares - Global
1/07/1997
Stewart Investors W
Worldwide Leaders Sustainability Fund
Shares - Global
1/07/1997
Lazard Emerging Markets Equity Fund
Shares - Global
22/10/1997
Lazard Global Small Cap Fund
Shares - Global
22/10/1997
Fidelity Global Equities Fund
Shares - Global
15/04/1998
Platinum European Fund
Shares - Global
12/06/1998
Platinum Japan Fund
Shares - Global
12/06/1998
Yarra Global Small Companies Fund
Shares - Global
9/11/1999
Platinum International Brands Fund
Shares - Global
18/05/2000
Platinum International Technology Fund
Shares - Global
18/05/2000
GMO Emerging Markets Trust
Shares - Global
12/02/2002
Schroder Sustainable Global Core Fund
\- Wholesale Class
Shares - Global
31/10/2002
Platinum Asia Fund
Shares - Global
4/03/2003
Platinum International
Health Sciences Fund
Shares - Global
10/11/2003
IFP Global Franchise Fund
Shares - Global
17/11/2004
Candriam Sustainable Global Equity
Shares - Global
6/12/2004
Platinum Global (Long Only) Fund
Shares - Global
31/01/2005
Ausbil Balanced
31/07/1997
Insights from managers
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Over the coming weeks, we'll be featuring conversations with a handful of managers from the list above.
They will be sharing how their philosophy and process has (or hasn't) changed over the years, the most pivotal moments for their funds, the secrets to longevity, how they deal with market stress, key lessons learned, and what is is about markets that is still getting them out of bed to this day.