Investor Summary
Fund Strategy
FUND PERFORMANCE AS OF 31st March 2026
| ANNUALIZED SINCE INCEPTION | QUARTERLY | YTD |
|---|---|---|
| 10.7% | -23.8% | -23.8% |
| ANNUALIZED SINCE INCEPTION | QUARTERLY | YTD |
|---|---|---|
| 10.7% | -23.8% | -23.8% |
LHC Capital's Australia High Conviction Fund declined 23.8% in Q3 2026, primarily due to an indiscriminate sell-off in software companies amid concerns that agentic AI coding tools could compress terminal software values. The fund's core holdings including HUB24, Life360, Pro Medicus, REA Group and Wisetech all declined significantly despite strong operational performance. The manager argues the market failed to distinguish between companies facing genuine AI disruption versus those whose competitive positions will be reinforced by AI. Their thesis centers on mission-critical software being analogous to rent - a non-discretionary cost with high switching costs and deep operational integration. Geopolitical uncertainty involving Iran added to risk-off sentiment, while structural market changes amplified volatility through passive flow-driven trading. The manager views current mark-to-market declines as temporary given strong underlying business fundamentals, with companies reporting growing revenues, expanding margins and increasing free cash flow. They have selectively increased exposure to highest conviction positions, believing the Fund is well positioned for market normalization focused on business performance.
High quality, mission critical software businesses are analogous to rent for physical retailers - representing non-discretionary costs with significant switching costs and deep operational integration that make them poor candidates for rationalization despite AI disruption concerns.
The manager believes the Fund is well positioned for a normalization in market conditions where focus returns to underlying business performance and long-term value creation. They view current prices as creating more attractive prospective returns than three months ago.
| Date | Letter | Tickers | Keywords | Pitches | Quick Takes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 16 2026 | 2026 Q1 | 360.AX, HUB.AX, PME.AX, REA.AX, WTC.AX | AI, Australia, conviction, software, technology | - | LHC Capital's software-focused fund fell 23.8% as AI disruption fears triggered indiscriminate selling across the sector. Despite strong operational results from holdings like Wisetech and Pro Medicus, markets questioned software terminal values. Management argues their mission-critical systems with high switching costs will benefit from AI adoption and has increased conviction positions at attractive prices. |
| Jan 23 2026 | 2025 Q4 | DBI.AX, HUB.AX, LIFE.AX, MAF.AX, NWL.AX, PME.AX, REA.AX, WTC.AX | AI, Australia, Concentration, Financial Services, Long/Short, Quality, technology, Wealth management |
MAF AU HUB AU PME AU DBI AU |
LHC Capital returned 3.1% in 2025, outperforming Australian tech despite sector headwinds from AI concerns and policy rotation. Strong contributors MA Financial and HUB24 offset weakness in Pro Medicus and REA Group. Underlying business fundamentals improved significantly while valuations compressed, creating attractive prospective returns. Managers expect quality businesses to lead recovery similar to 2022-2025 period. |
| QUARTER | THEMES | TAGS |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 Q1 |
AIThe quarter was dominated by concerns that agentic AI coding tools like Anthropic's Claude Code and OpenAI's Codex could compress the terminal value of software companies. However, the manager believes high-quality software businesses operating as systems of record with proprietary data and network effects will benefit from AI adoption. |
Artificial Intelligence Software Disruption Automation Technology |
Enterprise SoftwareThe fund's core thesis centers on mission-critical software being analogous to rent for physical retailers - a non-discretionary cost with high switching costs. These systems are deeply embedded in operations and represent small cost bases relative to efficiency benefits delivered. |
SaaS Mission Critical Switching Costs Enterprise Workflow | |
| 2025 Q4 |
Small CapsThe fund operates a concentrated Micro and Small-Cap strategy that naturally diverges from market indexes. Portfolio consists of ~60% businesses with market caps below $500M, with top five positions accounting for ~60% of the portfolio. |
Microcap Small Cap Concentration |
QualityManager has pivoted the portfolio more towards quality names, a shift first called out in Q1-2025 letter. This represents an evolution in investment approach while maintaining core philosophy. |
Quality Evolution Investment Philosophy |
| Date | Pitch Type | Author | Ticker | Company | Industry | Sub Industry | Bull / Bear | Exchange | Keywords | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 23, 2026 | Fund Letters | Stephen Aboud | MAF AU | MA Financial Group Ltd | Financials | Asset Management & Custody Activities | Bull | New York Stock Exchange | asset management, AUM, compounding, Margins, operating leverage | Login |
| Jan 23, 2026 | Fund Letters | Stephen Aboud | HUB AU | HUB24 Ltd | Financials | Capital Markets | Bull | New York Stock Exchange | Advisers, cash flow, operating leverage, Platforms, Wealth | Login |
| Jan 23, 2026 | Fund Letters | Stephen Aboud | PME AU | Pro Medicus Ltd | Health Care | Health Care Technology | Bull | New York Stock Exchange | AI, healthcare, market share, medical imaging, Software | Login |
| Jan 23, 2026 | Fund Letters | Stephen Aboud | DBI AU | Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure Ltd | Industrials | Transportation Infrastructure | Bull | New York Stock Exchange | cash flow, Contracts, inflation, infrastructure, Trading | Login |
| TICKER | COMMENTARY |
|---|---|
| HUB.AX | The key reason for the poor investment performance was the Fund's core positions in software companies, with HUB24, Life360, Pro Medicus, REA Group and Wisetech all recording significant declines. |
| 360.AX | The key reason for the poor investment performance was the Fund's core positions in software companies, with HUB24, Life360, Pro Medicus, REA Group and Wisetech all recording significant declines. |
| PME.AX | The key reason for the poor investment performance was the Fund's core positions in software companies, with HUB24, Life360, Pro Medicus, REA Group and Wisetech all recording significant declines. |
| REA.AX | The key reason for the poor investment performance was the Fund's core positions in software companies, with HUB24, Life360, Pro Medicus, REA Group and Wisetech all recording significant declines. |
| WTC.AX | The key reason for the poor investment performance was the Fund's core positions in software companies, with HUB24, Life360, Pro Medicus, REA Group and Wisetech all recording significant declines. During the quarter a number of companies including Wisetech (held), Atlassian and Block (not held) announced material reductions in headcount, citing productivity improvements driven by internal AI deployment. Wisetech announced 2,000 job reductions as part of a restructuring of its operating model, with a focus on AI and margin expansion. |
| Ticker | Put/Call | Amount Bought | Shares Bought | % Change | Weight % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No Recent Buys Data | |||||
| Ticker | Put/Call | Amount Sold | Shares Sold | % Change | Weight % | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No Recent Sells Data | ||||||
| Industry | Prev Quarter % | Current Quarter % | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| No industry data available | |||