LIBERUM: Speedy Hire: Weakness in FY 24 but recovery in FY 25

UK REITs: Building back better

UK commercial property has been a cornerstone asset for many income-seeking investors (both retail and institutional) in recent decades, particularly since the global financial crisis of 2007/8 and the resulting ultra-low interest rate environment. However, since rates began to rise in 2022 to tackle surging inflation, meaningful returns have once more become available on lower-risk assets such as cash and government bonds, which has led to a retrenchment from alternative income assets such as p

ICG Enterprise Trust - FY’24: portfolio companies performing strongly

The key message from ICGT’s FY’24 results (to January) is the continued strength of the operating companies, which keep delivering mid-teen EBITDA growth. Despite challenging markets, margins have widened, which should help allay some concerns over the impact of the higher-rate environment. Target returns are “broadly unchanged”. FY’24 saw about half the usual investment and realisation activity (and fewer realisations saw less NAV uplift on exit). A degree of volatility is to be expected, and t

Hardman & Co Research on NB Private Equity Partners: Wider operating company EBITDA margins in 2023

We reviewed NBPE’s business model in our initiation, Co-investments generating superior performance. We noted the high-secular-growth and downside-resilient investee companies, the value added by GPs, the good co-investing cashflow and return profile and the value added by the NB. The 2023 results confirmed all these trends. The key numbers were i) NAV p/sh $28.07 (£22.02), ii) private portfolio +5.3% in 2023 on a constant currency basis, iii) EV/LTM EBITDA 14.9x, and iv) debt/EBITDA 5.3x. The p

Building a robust platform for growth - FY24 pre-close statement

Against a tough trading background in FY24, Speedy Hire has taken steps to build a platform for long term sustainable growth through the launch of its Velocity strategy. While progress has been more strategic than financial in the year – although we note positive underlying cash flow was achieved - new business wins, the acquisition of Green Power Hire and a transitioned B&Q model all suggest that profitability is likely to move ahead again from FY25 onwards. Speedy’s FY24 pre close statement e

Henderson Opportunities Trust - A differentiated exposure to smaller companies

With a focus on long-term growth, Henderson Opportunities Trust (HOT) seeks investment opportunities across the breadth of the UK market. This includes a strong bias towards smaller and earlier-stage companies with significant potential to become tomorrow’s leading British businesses. There are tentative signs that the significant three-year underperformance of these smaller companies, and of HOT, may be coming to an end. If so, the trust is well placed to benefit and its differentiated, truly a

PCI Pal - +25% FY23 revenue growth, FY24 growth of +28% reiterated

PCI Pal’s FY23 results show revenue growth of +25% to £14.9m, gross profit growth of +31% to £13.1m at a margin of 88%, and an outlook confirming robust momentum in H1 24. The FY23 results are as expected following the August trading update, and FY23 Total Annual Contract Value (TACV) is +23% yoy to £16.4m, with ARR +14% yoy to £12.6m due to £3.1m of contracts in deployment. We expect ARR will increase +35% and +31% to £17.0m and £22.2m in FY24 and FY25, as management lands and expands following

NextEnergy Solar Fund - Q4/24 NAV and operational update, increased target dividend

NextEnergy Solar Fund has released a Q4 NAV and operational update and announced its 11th consecutive target dividend increase. NAV as at 31 March 2024 was £618.6m (31 December £636.4m), or 104.7p per share. The stand-alone 50MW energy storage asset has commenced commercial operations and two international solar co-investments (260MW) alongside NextPower III ESG have been energised. The total portfolio has increased to 103 operating assets, with a weighted average operating life of 25.9 years an

Record - AUME momentum and a sharper focus

Record’s Q424 trading update demonstrated continued growth in assets under management equivalent (AUME), which will support management fee growth into FY25. In FY24, AUME grew 17% to US$102.2bn, setting a new milestone in business scale. Net inflows for FY24 were US$6.8bn (FY23: US$9.1bn) or 8% of opening AUME. Performance fees of US$5.8m matched the record FY23 figure, and we expect this to offset the negative product mix in FY24. We have reduced our FY24e EPS by 1%, which is affected by £2.4bn

Hardman & Co Insight: 2023 was an annus horribilis for Quoted UK Infrastructure and Renewable Energy

The focus of Hardman & Co Research is on the nine quoted Infrastructure Investment Companies (IICs) and on the 22 Renewable Energy Infrastructure Funds (REIFs): the stocks analysed are all members of the Association of Investment Companies (AIC). We are updating our publication of January 2023, assessing both the lacklustre share price performances during 2023 and the key issues, including interest rates, inflation and power prices. As a 31-strong group, its combined market capitalisation is no

H&T Group+ (HAT, House Stock at 420p) - Record lending continues

LIBERUM: Pollen Street * - Clear fundraising momentum

LIBERUM: Speedy Hire: FY 24 EPS reduced, but expect recovery in FY 25

More advantages than drawbacks from the market uncertainty

Despite the tough environment, Legal & General is capitalizing on the need for companies to transfer pension liabilities. The group has exceeded expectations in its larger segments: LGRI and LGC, but has encountered challenges within the Retail and LGIM business. This outcome can be attributed to the uncertain outlook in the UK, which bolsters the company’s performance in its core business but negatively impacts other areas.

NewRiver REIT+ (NRR, House at 82p) - Sustained strong momentum in Q3 FY24F