How to protect your portfolio from inflation

Investment trusts investing in real assets have provided decent capital protection in recent decades. That said, it has to be recognised that share prices exhibit a relatively high correlation to equity markets over the short term. For example, during the initial coronavirus crash, share prices in the listed real assets sectors fell sharply in a general liquidation of the stock market, before staging a rapid recovery (an opportunity for the quick or the brave). However, over the long run it shou

Don’t fear the reaper

With market direction hard to call, we consider the case for taking a long- term view in the investment trust sector...

Don't fear the reaper

Investors are increasingly unsure about what to do with their money, at least according to those we speak to. The reflationary rally seems to be over, and since the summer the market has gyrated between value and growth, pandemic optimism and pessimism, clean energy and fossil fuels, et cetera, et cetera… While the general consensus is now that inflation will remain high for a considerable period of time, it is unclear yet whether this is a bullish or bearish scenario. Unfortunately, an investm

Green is good!

Policymakers have arguably kept their heads in the sand over the threat from global warming, but 2021 seemingly marked a watershed moment. Looking for ways to stimulate economies in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, policymakers have responded with the promise of an unprecedented influx of fiscal stimulus, one of the focuses of which is the sustainability of the infrastructure of developed economies. One of the largest investment opportunities appears to be in renewable energy, both via the con

Greencoat UK Wind - Overview

Greencoat UK Wind (UKW) was the first renewable energy infrastructure trust to launch, and its subsequent growth has led to significant benefits for investors. The tiered fee structure and economies of scale have led to the OCF reducing significantly over time. At the same time, the trust can now consider much larger sized investments, which in themselves offer economies of scale and therefore potentially higher returns than might otherwise be the case. Finally, its scale enables a dedicated man

Riders on the storm

The coronavirus pandemic has had a dreadful impact on equity dividends, particularly in the UK market. Between 31 March 2020 and 31 March 2021, UK companies cut their dividends by 41.6% on an underlying basis, according to the latest Link Dividend Monitor. The cuts have continued into 2021, with a 26.7% fall on an underlying basis in Q1. That said, there was a headline increase of 7.9% thanks to the second-highest special dividends reported, thanks to large payouts from Tesco and the rallying mi

REIFs revisited – a compendium

In this publication, Hardman & Co’s focus is on the 17 quoted Renewable Energy Infrastructure Funds (REIFs), as we update our publication of February 2020 – the stocks analysed are members of the Association of Investment Companies (AIC). As a group, their combined market capitalisation is now ca.£10.6bn. The most valuable quoted funds are Greencoat UK Wind (£2.5bn) and TRIG (£2.4bn). Comparisons with the seven Infrastructure Investment Companies – a sector worth ca.£12.8bn – are also undertaken

Greencoat UK Wind - Overview

Greencoat UK Wind (UKW)’s managers continue to build a formidable portfolio of wind farms in the UK. Whilst the market for wind farms in the UK is currently competitive, the team have been able to raise and deploy significant amounts of capital during the last financial year – all at rates of return that we think should enable the trust to meet its total return objective of 8-9% net of fees. Increased size brings efficiencies in many ways. As we discuss in Charges, the OCF is now sub 1% per annu

Jungle Fever

In December we highlighted that ESG was the surprise ‘thematic winner’ of 2020. Perhaps not in performance terms (can anything beat the FAANGs?), but almost overnight it has become a standard part of fund presentations. Asset flows into ESG funds also back up our contention, with huge growth in assets seen by ESG-related funds during 2020. However, as we discussed in December, within the equity trust universe there are relatively few equity trusts that offer ‘pure’ exposure to the theme. And of

Cenkos: Healthcare Sector - Ward Round

Weekly round-up of AIM-listed healthcare news. Venture Life Group, GENinCode, Kromek, Alliance Pharma, Polarean Imaging, Benchmark Holdings, Ondine Biomedical, Verici Dx, Faron Pharmaceuticals, Avacta Group, Abingdon Health, Open Orphan, Belluscura, Hutchmed (China), Oxford Biodynamics

Earnings in line, NAV ahead, caution being exercised

Urban Logistics REIT (“ULR”) has delivered a solid FY22 performance – deploying capital apace and driving strong returns through active asset management. Earnings and dividend are both in line vs SCMe. EPRA NAV is 190p (+7% vs SCMe); as yield compression came as a bonus. Caution is being exercised in deploying remaining capital, which impacts FY23e earnings only. We upgrade EPRA NAV by 14-20% incorporating some (but not all) recent yield compression. We increase our Target Price to 210p (FY23e E

In line final results, market headwinds impact AuM

Finals are in line on management fee earnings, but an unexpected performance fee drives a 6% earnings beat and a higher dividend. Recent market conditions have been challenging and have impacted AuM, down 12% in Q1 so far (vs pf incl. Majedie). We update our model, driving a 8-11% reduction in our earnings estimates. We think that the current 8x Mar-23e PER is already more than pricing in further forecast risk. We note a 6%+ prospective dividend yield generously covered by earnings with signific

Auctus on Friday - 01/07/2022

AUCTUS PUBLICATIONS ________________________________________ Arrow Exploration (AXL LN)C; Target price of £0.45 per share: Another well delivers flow rate above expectations – The RCS-1 well was flow tested at oil rates of up 1,872 bbl/d (936 bbl/d net to Arrow) of 30 API crude from the C7B sands. The zone was tested for 33 hours at an average oil rate of 1,076 bbl/d (538 bbl/d net to Arrow) with no formation water. Production will start next week at ~1,000 bbl/d (500 bbl/d net) in order to mini

Hybridan Small Cap Feast 22/06/2022

Dish of the day Joiners: No Joiners Today. Leavers: No Leavers Today. What’s cooking in the IPO kitchen? Visum Technologies seeking admission to The AQSE Growth Market. The Company's business is to own and operate an "on-ride" video and photographic camera system that it sells and/or licenses to customers (being theme parks, ride manufacturers, souvenir imaging providers, and other leisure operators). Due 30 June. LifeSafe Holdings, a fire safety technology business with innovative fire safety p

Hybridan Small Cap Feast 01/07/22

1 July 2022 @HybridanLLP Status of this Note and Disclaimer This document has been issued to you by Hybridan LLP for information purposes only and should not be construed in any circumstances as an offer to sell or solicitation of any offer to buy any security or other financial instrument, nor shall it, or the fact of its distribution, form the basis of, or be relied upon in connection with, any contract relating to such action. This document has no regard for the specific investment objectives

Cenkos: Marlowe Plc -- Record organic growth

Marlowe delivered an impressive set of FY22A results, with underlying organic revenue growth of 9%, Adj EBITDA margins up 240bps to 18.6%, and Adj EBITDA of £54.4m (ahead of our £50.7m forecast). We make minor updates to our FY23E forecasts (Adj Diluted EPS increases 1% to 49.6p) and release new FY24E forecasts. Given the strength of Marlowe's business model, its defensive nature (non-discretionary products and services; 85%+ recurring revenue), the group's continued positive momentum (including

LIBERUM: Alternatives Daily

LIBERUM: Alternatives Daily

Hybridan Small Cap Feast 30/06/2022

Dish of the day Joiners: Visum Technologies has joined the AQSE Growth Market. The Company's business is to own and operate an "on-ride" video and photographic camera system that it sells and/or licenses to customers (being theme parks, ride manufacturers, souvenir imaging providers, and other leisure operators). Leavers: No Leavers Today. What’s cooking in the IPO kitchen? Immediate acquisitions (IME.L) is to re-join AIM via a Reverse Takeover of Fiinu Holdings Limited. Once complete the Compan

Morning Note – 29 June 2022

Hybridan Small Cap Feast 23/06/22

Dish of the day Joiners: No Joiners Today. Leavers: No Leavers Today. What’s cooking in the IPO kitchen? Immediate acquisitions (IME.L) is to re-join AIM via a Reverse Takeover of Fiinu Holdings Limited. Once complete the Company is proposing to change its name to Fiinu Group plc. Fiinu intends to be a provider of a consumer banking product, the Plugin Overdraft ®, which is designed to provide customers with an overdraft facility without having to change their current account or request an overd

Cenkos: Professional Services -- The week that was

Stocks in focus this week are Personal Group, Johnson Service Group, Capita and Mears

Morning Note – 28 June 2022

NextEnergy Solar Fund - NAV Grows 15% in FY 22

NextEnergy Solar Fund’s (NESF) full-year results show a 15% growth in NAV resulting from better pricing and new asset growth. The fund has been working hard to diversify its asset growth opportunity with battery storage in the UK and more international exposure through its commitment and co-investment opportunity with the NPIII private fund. From a strong start the fund is showing continued progress into the current year.