The Value Fund returned +5.3% in 2018 net of fees and expenses (or approximately +7.1% gross). We managed to outperform both of our benchmarks in 2018. The S&P/TSX Total Return Index finished down -8.9% for the year. The S&P500 Total Return Index was down -4.4% for the year. Measured in Canadian dollars (the Value Fund’s reporting currency) the S&P500 Total Return was up +3.9% for the year.
In our latest newsletter we discuss our Q1 performance along with a recent stock purchase that will be familiar to our long time followers.
… Value Fund holding Visa, Inc. is the world leader in retail electronic payments. Visa, along with competitor MasterCard, form a global duopoly in the sector. Visa is an incredible business. The company grows steadily without much capital reinvestment required, adds value to both consumers and retailers and is very difficult to compete against. Visa is truly a money-making machine.