The main objective of the European MA is generate a stable and regular 4-6% income distribution from underlying yields (underlying yield is abt 4% today from coupons and dividends) and capital appreciation (not capital). If we take history as a guide (e.g. our simulations prior to launch), then the majority of the payout would have been realized through dividends and coupons of the underlying investments (i.e. current income) while a smaller part would be completed by capital gains. From our simulations prior to launching the product we know that this range is sustainable without touching invested capital.
Yields are revised every year in Q4, where the portfolio managers, risk team will sit down to discuss their outlook for the coming year, so they can adjust the yield accordingly but always between 4-6%. The fund has been paying 5% since launch in 2014 and will remain the same for 2016.
Rest assured, that if we see a structural change in financial and market conditions (i.e. permanent yield compression) our fiduciary duty is (obviously) to take this into account in order to generate the best possible outcome for our investors.
Another scenario where the fund manager could adjust the payout would be in very adverse market conditions (think of 2008). However, if we take our flagship global multi-asset income fund (BNPP L1 Multi-Asset Income, ISIN: LU1056594234 ) as an example, we can be pretty confident of our ability to pay between 4-6% for BNP Paribas A European Multi-Asset Income.
In the global multi-asset income fund, we have been paying out 4% p.a. since its inception in 2005 (more than a decade in both bull and bear market), even during the global financial crisis without draining out our investors capital. The BNPP L1 Multi-Asset Income was transferred from a Dutch domiciled vehicle to a Luxembourg vehicle in Sept 2014 (previously BNP Paribas Fund II N.V All Income Fund ) due to the growing demand for multi asset from global investors, which under the Dutch regulation, the fund cannot pay dividends from capital, which reinforces the fact that the fund had not paid out of capital during its life under the Dutch structure (2005-2014), and this is not the intention to do so going forward.
Hope this helps.
I will give you a call after lunch to discuss about the meeting as Christian is currently away on block leave.