Redde

Proposed share-for-share merger with Northgate

In line Q1 performance, value clear with 10% yield

Redde’s brief AGM statement outlines an in line Q1 performance. We do not make changes to our forecasts ahead of the key Winter trading period, and will review our estimates at the HY update in December. We believe that the valuation – 9x fwd PER and 10%+ dividend yield – remains at too great a discount, with the recent contract loss overplayed against a backdrop of developing relationships. A 12x fwd PER would point to a 160p/share intrinsic value, with an accompanying 7% yield.

Small Cap Feast

African Export-Import Bank a supranational financial institution whose purpose is to facilitate, promote and expand intra- and extra- African trade, of its potential intention to publish a registration document, the Bank hereby confirms its intention to proceed with an Initial Public Offering. The GDRs are expected to be admitted to the standard listing segment of the Official List of the FCA and to trading on the Main Market of the LSE. DNEG Limited intends to apply for admission of its Shares

The legal services read across from recent bids on CTR and MUR

At a time where UK public market valuations remain subdued, especially given GBP weakness, it seems reasonable to assume the potential for opportunistic private bids may increase. We have long argued the merits of certain business services companies with exposure to the legal sector, and we believe recent private interest in the space supports this. In our view, the demonstrable private intrigue may provide a floor to valuations, leaving significant upside risk; if the public market does not cor

Finals in line, valuation too deeply discounted

We appreciate that Redde’s contract loss earlier this year has caused some consternation, but we cannot reconcile the current 8x PER valuation which we think is too deeply discounted. Finals are in line, and several events reinforce the quality and integrity in the business model. We make no material change to earnings and observe the indication that the dividend will be maintained until working capital has been released – resulting in a flat progression. We see considerable shareholder return;

Forecast updates & customer analysis

Last week’s pre-close statement provided several updates, with the two main items being that H2 trading was in line with the Board’s expectations and there will be a five-month extension to the large contract that was lost in March.

In line FY update, contract run off prompts upgrade

Redde has issued an in line FY trading update, with case volumes as expected through H2. There have been a number of contract wins and a significant renewal. The run off on the lost contract (previously announced) will now be better than expected – prompting a 4% upgrade to our FY20e PBT forecast. Redde trades on 8x PER and an 11% dividend yield, with the reaction to the contract loss having persisted.

Contract lost, 8-9% earnings impact in outer years

Redde has lost a large insurer contract. This has no impact on FY19e earnings, but prompts an 8-9% reduction in outer years. Working capital will be released as a result. The reduction in earnings increases the payout ratio but our dividend forecasts remain covered and we leave them unchanged. The dividend is flat yoy in FY19e, before resuming growth. The valuation is at a new low since optimisation began in 2012 – with an 8.0x FY20e PER with a 1.1x covered 11.7% dividend yield.

Small Cap Feast

United Oil & Gas (UOG.L) an oil and gas exploration and developm ent com pany brought to the Official List (Standard Segment) in July 2017 by way of a reverse takeover of Senterra Energy plc. No capital to be raised, expected market cap of £17m and expected 1 March Techniplas –global producer and support services company providing highly engineered and technically complex components, making the supply chain to original equipment manufacturers more efficient. FYDec17 rev $515m. Polemos, to be ren

Earnings in line, maintaining dividend to fuel growth

Redde has reported in line H1, however the dividend is lower than expected – maintained at 5.5p (vs N+1Se 6.0p). Strong growth continued, funded by FCF, driving 8% growth in adj. PBT to £23.6m (48% of FY19e). In order to fund further growth, dividend cover will be increased to rebuild cash. We leave our earnings forecasts unchanged – noting a strong start to H2 – but reduce our DPS forecast to flat yoy in FY19e, before resuming growth trajectory FY20e. Even after our changes, Redde offers a rich

In line, forecasts unchanged: growth sustained

Redde has issued an in line trading update covering H1 to date. Revenues and trading profits have grown year on year. We already assume some growth in our forecasts, and so leave our estimates unchanged. We will review our model again at the interims (27/2) once the key winter trading period has been completed. Redde continues to offer a strong 7%+ dividend yield which we feel does not reflect earnings quality. At a 6% yield, this would imply a >200p/share intrinsic value.

Morning Song

Redde (REDD LN) Positive start to FY19e, forecasts unchanged | Xaar (XAR LN) Appointments of CFO and Company Secretary

Positive start to FY19e, forecasts unchanged

Redde has maintained a positive trajectory into the new financial year. The finals in September reported a solid performance in the first months of FY19e, with today’s AGM statement now indicating this has continued through the Autumn months too. Redde continues to trade on a 7% dividend yield – unwarranted in our view given the repeating case flow from blue chip insurers and the value of the protocol relationship to insurers. At a closer yield to the market, a 5% dividend yield would imply a 25

Morning Note – 22 April 2024

Benefits of scale set to materialise

Frenkel Topping - Resilient with strong growth potential

FY 2023 was a challenging year for Frenkel with higher interest rates encouraging clients to place money into lower margin money market funds. Despite this, sales grew +32% (supported by recurring revenue +9% and +51% in non-recurring), EBIT margins remained strong at 22% and adj. EPS grew +17% (taking into account the higher number of shares). FY 2024 has seen a solid start to transactional business and there is a strong pipeline of new FUM opportunities both of which support further growth. Wi

S&U - PBT ahead, encouraging volume trends

S&U reported FY24 PBT of £33.6m, down from £41.4m in FY23 on higher funding and regulatory costs and higher impairments in Advantage in H2. PBT was 2% ahead of our forecast as stronger revenues – up 12% to £115.4m – and better costs offset higher-than-expected impairments. Net receivables grew to a record at both Advantage and Aspen and management noted particular strength in Q4 and a good trading environment in the current year. Having absorbed a significant rise in funding cost as well as addi

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

Foresight Solar Fund - Termination of coverage

Edison Investment Research is terminating coverage on ABC Arbitrage (ABCA), paragon (PGN), Foresight Solar Fund (FSFL), Kendrion (KENDR), Lithium Power International (LPI), Triple Point Energy Transition (TENT), 4iG (4IG), e-therapeutics (ETX), Pharnext (ALPHA) and Shield Therapeutics (STX). Please note you should no longer rely on any previous research or estimates for this company. All forecasts should now be considered redundant. Previously published reports can still be accessed via our web

LIBERUM: PayPoint: On track for £100m of EBITDA in FY 26

Regional REIT - Performing as expected ahead of refinancing

In a challenging market, Regional REIT’s (RGL’s) FY23 operational and financial performance was robust, in line with expectations and previous guidance. Investor focus remains on the company’s loan to value (LTV) reduction and bond refinancing plans, explored in detail in our previous note and RGL will provide an update on this in due course.

Hybridan Small Cap Feast - 22 April 2024

22nd April 2024 * A corporate client of Hybridan LLP ** Arranged by type of listing and date of announcement *** Alphabetically arranged **** Potential means Intention to Float (ITF) has been announced Dish of the day Admissions: Delistings: What’s baking in the oven? ** Potential**** Initial Public Offerings: Reverse Takeovers: 16 April 2024: Electric Guitar (ELEG.L) Concurrent with its Admission to trading on AIM, Electric Guitar is proposing to acquire the entire issued share capital of 3radi

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

The Hardman & Co Monthly: April 2024

Feature article: Steady as she goes, but could be better: A review of investment company liquidity since 2016 Liquidity is the lifeblood of equity markets. The measurement of liquid asset availability to a market or company is a way of gauging a market’s health. This article builds on our previous work, which analysed the liquidity data for non-financial trading companies, by applying the same analytical techniques to the investment companies (IC) space. We analyse liquidity for ICs as a whol

Foxtons Group (FOXT LN) - 1Q24 IMS shows real momentum

Foxtons Group plc first quarter revenue rose 9% to £35.7m (1Q23: £32.9m) with growth delivered across all business segments. Trading is in line with management's expectations.

H&T Group (HAT): Core franchise build, short-term retail noise

In our 15 March 2023 initiation, 'Pawnbroking royalty, with strong, profitable growth', and subsequent notes, we have highlighted the strong market for pawnbroking and why H&T, as the market leader, is uniquely placed to take advantage of these opportunities. These results reconfirmed both, with the pledge book up 28% and net pawnbroking revenue up 36%. Like many in the retail space, H&T faced the challenge of customers focusing on lower-value, lower-margin items in the key run-up to Christmas 2

Morning Note – 29 February 2024

Hardman & Co Insight - Asset managers had a poor 2022

Asset managers had a poor 2022: the S&P Composite 1500 Asset Management Index was down 22% and, according to the Investment Company Institute (ICI), worldwide mutual funds fell by 20%, from $76tr to $60tr. When bond and equity markets fall, the results are unlikely to be pretty: with revenues trending down and multiples contracting, there is a double whammy to contend with. So how do valuations shape up now, after a bullish start to the new year? The first chart is my favourite chart of asset m