Oakley Capital Investments – Getting down to business

In spite of what seems like an uncertain macroeconomic environment, Oakley Capital Investments’ (OCI) underlying portfolio continued to generate earnings growth in 2023 (average 14% EBITDA growth), which in turn helped drive 4% NAV growth. In addition, OCI achieved an 18% total shareholder return (TSR) during the period, extending the long run of performance delivered by the company (five-year TSR CAGR of 24%). The same macro uncertainty may also be creating opportunities. OCI’s investment mana

Oakley Capital Investments

Despite broader economic challenges, Oakley Capital Investments (OCI) continues to deliver market beating shareholder returns. A focus on cash-generative companies with recurring revenues and asset-light business models means the portfolio appears to be well insulated as financial conditions have tightened, which the managers note is highlighted by double digit earnings growth over the last financial year. The staggered nature of its investments appears to provide a consistent stream of realisat

Oakley Capital Investments

Despite broader economic challenges, Oakley Capital Investments (OCI) continues to deliver outstanding, market beating shareholder returns. Its focus on cash-generative companies with recurring revenues and asset-light business models means the portfolio remains well insulated as financial conditions have tightened, highlighted by double digit earnings growth over the last financial year. The staggered nature of its investments has provided a consistent stream of realisations (at an average prem

LIBERUM: Oakley Capital Investments: NAV growth outlook remains bright

Oakley Capital Investments – The best-performing UK-listed private equity fund

Oakley Capital Investments (OCI) invests in private equity funds managed by Oakley Capital Limited (Oakley). OCI is, as we show on page 21, the best-performing fund in its peer group over five years. As evidenced by its latest full-year results, this has been achieved in spite of what might be described as a difficult macro backdrop. OCI’s manager believes that this can be attributed to three core factors: the expertise that it has built in a focused group of sectors (technology, consumer, educ

Oakley Capital Investments – The best-performing UK-listed private equity fund

Oakley Capital Investments (OCI) invests in private equity funds managed by Oakley Capital Limited (Oakley). OCI is, as we show on page 21, the best-performing fund in its peer group over five years. As evidenced by its latest full-year results, this has been achieved in spite of a difficult macro backdrop. OCI believes that this can be attributed to three core factors: the expertise that it has built in a focused group of sectors (technology, consumer, education) over 20 years of investing; a

Oakley Capital Investments Ltd (OCI): 2022: NAV returns driven by EBITDA growth

The January trading statement announced NAV (662p per share), total NAV return (24%), NAV growth driven by EBITDA growth (65%), modest multiple expansion (35%), investments (£271m), realisations (£244m), available finance, including cash (£210m), and commitments (£929m). The detailed results announcement highlighted i) 2022 exits, on average, 70% above carrying value, ii) 22% investee company average earnings growth, iii) weighted average EV/EBITDA of 15.9x, below listed market levels, iii) a PE

Oakley Capital Investments

OCI’s focus on high-growth companies has delivered strong NAV returns over five years…

LIBERUM: Oakley Capital Investments* - Delivering leading NAV growth

Hardman & Co Monthly: March 2023

Feature article: Higher interest rates overshadow IIC/REIF prospects We focus on the nine quoted infrastructure investment companies (IICs) and on the 22 renewable energy infrastructure funds (REIFs), most of which saw their share prices fall during 2022, while the FTSE 100 rose by just 0.9%. In our ‘Quoted UK Infrastructure and Renewable Energy – Prospects for 2023’ publication, we have addressed the three key issues of recent months – higher inflation, extremely volatile power prices and risin

Hardman & Co Monthly: February 2023

Feature article: Asset manager valuations 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?

Hardman & Co Monthly: January 2023

Feature article: Hardman & Co Healthcare Index - Review of 2022 The main function of the HHI is to monitor the performance, and to highlight the attractiveness, of life sciences investments over the long term, and to try to identify those stocks that have disruptive technologies that consistently allow them to outperform both the index and the markets. Many of the 53 constituents of the index are high-risk, still being in the development stage, with micro-capitalisations and a long way from sal

Oakley Capital Investments Ltd (OCI): Evolution of the high-growth drivers in 2023

In this note, we explore the factors that have driven the market-beating 22% YTD 2022 NAV growth, the 15% growth we expect in 2023 and the 35% NAV discount. In addition to fuelling returns, further exits with uplifts to carrying value (long-run average 50%) should reinforce confidence that portfolio valuations are conservative. Cash realisations from the portfolio give additional comfort – as do the £302m of liquidity and £474m of investments held for more than three years – that investment comm

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

Bluefield Solar Income Fund – Fundamentals shine despite discount

The manger comments that, in common with the other trusts in the renewable energy sector, the last six months have continued what has been a challenging period for the Bluefield Solar Income Fund (BSIF). It adds that the trust’s ongoing fundamental performance has failed to reverse a steady slide in its share price which began back in May 2023. Despite this, it says the company has continued to deliver solid NAV growth and market-leading shareholder distributions thanks to a range of contractual

LSL Property Services (LSL LN) - Transformation & market recovery

2023 results are, as indicated in its February pre-close update, “slightly ahead of market expectations”. Current trading continues to improve, with 1Q24 underlying operating profit up yoy, “reflecting the benefits of the Group’s transformation programme completed in 2023 as well as improving market conditions.” With net cash of £35m at end 2023, the Board approved 7.4p final DPS and £7m buy back.

Henderson Far East Income - Repositioning to raise total returns

Henderson Far East Income (HFEL) has consistently delivered on its objective to provide a rising dividend. However, like many investors, HFEL’s managers overestimated the potential for a post-pandemic rebound in China. The trust’s resultant overweight to Chinese consumer and other cyclicals led to a fall in portfolio revenues and underperformance in the financial year ended 31 August 2023 (FY23). With a view to improving future returns, HFEL’s board has since indicated an increased willingness t

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

International Public Partnerships - Consistently and responsibly delivering

International Public Partnerships’ (INPP’s) FY23 results show that it continues to deliver consistent and predictable returns for investors, while delivering environmental and social benefits for the individuals and communities that are served by its assets. Despite this strong performance and a substantial need for private infrastructure funding, the macroeconomic environment has weighed on INPP’s share price, in common with the wider sector. Regardless, attractive returns are available from th

LIBERUM: PensionBee: Strong start to the new financial year

LIBERUM: NewRiver: Q4 trading update: Continued operational momentum

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.

Witan

Business as usual for WTAN’s executive team, while the board reviews investment management arrangements…

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