The complexity premium

Demand for alternative assets has soared in recent years, as investors have sought yield and low NAV volatility outside the bond market in a low interest rate world. The investment trust sector has been a major beneficiary, with many closed-ended funds offering these characteristics through their ability to invest in illiquid assets. Historically, alternative assets have offered the potential for higher returns by (in technical terms) harvesting the illiquidity premium. In more natural language

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

M&G Credit Income - Overview

M&G Credit Income (MGCI) aims to generate a high yield with low volatility and low credit risk from fixed income investments. To achieve this MGCI invests extensively in the private debt markets, traditionally the preserve of institutional investors. M&G has been investing in private assets since 1997 and has c. £65.5bn in AUM in that space. It employs 287 fixed interest professionals including 130 analysts, providing coverage of the private and public debt markets, which allows MGCI’s manager,

Stairway to heaven Update

Many investors think ISA investing is all about sticking equities away for the long term and forgetting about them. However, we think there are good reasons for allocating to alternative income-generating assets in your ISA, even for those concerned with longterm capital growth. We think that many investors don’t fully appreciate the benefit of reducing the volatility on a portfolio. When thinking about long-term returns, the tendency is to think of the average return in the long run as what you

M&G Credit Income - Overview

M&G Credit Income Investment Trust launched in November 2018 and targets a dividend yield of LIBOR plus 4% per annum once fully invested. The trust offers investors access to illiquid and private debt markets, usually only the preserve of institutional investors, which offer attractive yields for taking extra liquidity and complexity risk. At all times, the managers have committed to ensure that at least 70% of the investments will be investment grade. Their aim is that the trust will offer the

Fidante Daily Digest

AUGM* - Augmentum Fintech - New investment | CAT - CATCo Reinsurance Opportunities - Investment manager update | MGCI - M&G Credit Income - Proposed placing

M&G Credit Income - Overview

M&G Credit Income Investment Trust will invest in private and illiquid fixed income debt assets, aiming to deliver a dividend yield of LIBOR plus 4% per annum over the long term. The trust will offer retail investors access to the illiquid and private debt markets which are usually the preserve of institutional investors, and which offer attractive yields for taking extra liquidity and complexity risk. The trust will be managed by Jeremy Richards, for 25 years manager of the fixed income allocat

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

SHORE CAPITAL - H&T Group+ (HAT, House Stock, 322p)

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

FY22 – Strong Operating Result & On Track for Targets

Mercia Asset Management reported FY22 results, with a significant uplift in adj. operating profit to £8.4m, driven by strong management fee margins of >2% on stable FuM as well as strong finance income during the year. Group AuM has grown to >£1bn post period end, driven by fundraises across the Northern VCTs. The Group is well set to achieve its Mercia 20:20 Vision, with ~£27m (~46%) of its cumulative three-year PBT target delivered in year one. We increase our adj. EBITDA forecasts by 1-26% on

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

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

2H22 – Good NAV Growth & Attractive Opportunities

Augmentum Fintech has delivered a strong finish to FY22, with NAV per share up 19% YoY and +9% HoH to 155.2p, driven by both investments and positive fair value changes across the majority of its portfolio companies. The 23% IRR since IPO is above the Group’s 20% Internal Target Return, demonstrating overall attractive investment performance. Post-period end The Group has invested £4.0m in new portfolio company Kenbi and the £43m proceeds from the sale of its stake in ii strengthens AUGM’s cash

LIBERUM: Real Estate Investors* - Further profitable sales set to drive capital return strategy

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

Morning Note – 6 July 2022

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

Palace Capital* - Strategy sharpened, 5% buyback commences

Further to its strategic review, Palace Capital intends to focus on becoming an ESG driven, regional office market specialist. To that end the company has announced a new £46.5m property disposal programme including its entire industrial property portfolio with the proceeds to be reinvested into the office sector. Palace Capital has also announced a buyback for up to 5% of its shares and continues to review its cost base. The outcome of the strategic review is to sharpen the focus on themes mana

Copyright Royalty Board III Decision

The final decision on CRB III (see below) on streaming revenues is positive for Songwriters, Music publishing and Hipgnosis (SONG). The decision will result in addition revenues being paid to SONG over the coming periods. We view the ruling as positive and evidence of a continuing shift in the understanding of the value of a Songwriter’s contribution to a hit record and the willingness of industry stakeholders to recognise it. YTD SONG has de-rated significantly and currently trades on a 23.8% d

Right Tech, Right Touch, Right Service Level

Argentex Group (“AGFX” or the “Group”) is a regulated, commercial FX specialist, offering a range of service-led and technology-enabled FX products to corporate, institutional and HNW clients. The Group’s core business has a strong growth track record and we expect a normalising market environment post-COVID to support organic growth within this. Additionally, we see attractive opportunities across its newly launched platform with a range of technology-enabled products as well as its continuing

Cenkos: Professional Services -- The week that was

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