Genuit Group - Termination of coverage

Edison Investment Research is terminating coverage on Mercia Asset Management (MERC), Bloc Ventures (unlisted), YOC (YOC.DE), Genuit Group (GEN), AlzeCure Pharma (ALZCUR), abrdn Latin American Income Fund (ALAI), Magforce (MF6), OPG Power Ventures (OPG) and paragon (PGN). Please note you should no longer rely on any previous research or estimates for this company. All forecasts should now be considered redundant.

Genuit Group - Outlook maintained

Revenue momentum has remained strong well into H221 and Genuit’s profit expectations for FY21 are in line with the market’s. The company’s share price has retraced to start-year levels recently (and underperformed the FTSE All-Share Index by 10% in the last month), with no change to business fundamentals in our view. While short-term challenges (such as supply chain strains) are present, we consider that overall market risk is lower now compared to the lockdown-driven uncertainties of 2020.

Genuit Group - Positive trading momentum continues ytd

FY21 has started well both in underlying terms and for recent acquisitions, especially Adey. Genuit is strategically well positioned given regulatory and environmental drivers in its markets, and the proposed management transition is being well flagged in advance. A strong expected earnings recovery from a COVID-19 affected FY20 is being reflected in support for Genuit’s share price.

Polypipe - Acquisitions feed into FY21 earnings recovery

After a positive end to FY20, Polypipe has made an active start to FY21. The £210m acquisition of ADEY (part-funded by a c £96m gross new equity raise) is a significant step and fits well with the company’s product portfolio, market positions and its sustainable water/climate management business strategy. Including acquisition effects, we expect FY21 PBT to exceed FY19 levels, as they supplement an underlying EBIT recovery following a COVID-19-affected trough year. EPS approaches FY19 levels in

Polypipe - In cautious recovery mode

Polypipe remains a strategically well-placed business with leading positions in its building materials market segments supported by long-term drivers. Actions taken – including the £120m equity raise in May – will aid the company’s ability to absorb the disruptive effects of COVID-19 while retaining operational flexibility to rebuild revenues. The companies forward guidance and our estimates are also remain withdrawn for the time being.

Polypipe - Well-placed but revenue progress moderates

Approaching the year end, slower trading in certain sub-sectors causes us to trim our FY19 earnings estimates by 5% (with more modest adjustments thereafter). This does not change our view that the company is well placed by sector to benefit from some long-term structural drivers in the building materials space.

Polypipe - Clear fit from bolt-on deal

The highly complementary £14m acquisition of Alderburgh expands Polypipe’s stormwater management portfolio offering, adding design and installation capabilities also. The earnings impact is modest but this serves as a further strengthening of Polypipe’s market position in the relatively robust infrastructure segment. Once wider UK economic uncertainties clear, we expect increased support for Polypipe’s share price.

Polypipe - Premium positioning

Polypipe’s rating is currently slightly ahead of its sector, but this overlooks the company’s positioning in long-term growth segments, in our view. The FY18 trading performance was noticeably stronger in H2, though margin progression was constrained by short-term production inefficiencies in certain areas. Management provide a clear and consistent message regarding business focus under a refreshed, growth-oriented strategy.

Morning Song

Gooch & Housego (GHH LN) PBT up 6%, EPS up 4-5% on acquisition of ITL | Polypipe Group (PLP LN) Full year guidance reiterated in today’s interims | Realm Therapeutics (RLM LN) In-line H1s overshadowed by negative Phase II AD trial result

Morning Song

Bagir Group (BAGR LN) Strategic partnership with Shandong Ruyi - update | Frontier Smart Technologies Group (FST LN) Challenging Q2’18 results in downgrades | Halfords Group (HFD LN) Groundhog day as HFD guides to another flat year | Miton Group (MGR LN) Rise of nascent funds, income growth potential | Polypipe Group (PLP LN) Expectations unchanged, despite weather impact | Restaurant Group (RTN LN) Reassuring trading update | Sanderson Group (SND LN) Solid H1 highlights reassuring consistency |

Morning Song

Fulcrum Utility Services Limited (FCRM LN) Sector leading returns and earnings growth | Goals Soccer Centres (GOAL LN) Satisfactory AGM but weather impact higher than earlier guidance | Gresham Technologies (GHT LN) Positive AGM statement confirms Clareti momentum | Hill & Smith Holdings (HILS LN) Positive strategic US acquisition | Polypipe Group (PLP LN) Strategy update highlights growth opportunities | Rathbone Brothers (RAT LN) Q1 FuM -3.3%, flows remain modest in investment management

Polypipe - Strong Residential performance

Newbuild residential was the standout sector for Polypipe in FY17 with relatively subdued performance in Commercial and Infrastructure. Overall, underlying PBT and EPS from ongoing operations rose by 7.9% and 10.1% with full year DPS up by 9.9%. Our estimates are slightly lower adjusted for a non-core business disposal but recent share price weakness is overdone in our view.

Results in line; balanced exposure will help FY18

When we initiated on Polypipe in January, we stressed the importance of the Group’s balanced exposure to the UK construction market. This is emphasised in the FY17 results and the outlook for FY18 with residential new build still looking strong and RMI and some areas of commercial less positive. We remain of the view that PLP can generate consistent growth ahead of the market, driven by plastic piping substitution for legacy materials and legislation (water management; energy efficiency etc). We

Market leader with clear growth drivers

Polypipe is a manufacturer of high margin plastic piping and ventilation systems with a balanced exposure across a growing UK construction market. Consistent growth ahead of the market is driven by plastic piping substitution for legacy materials and legislation (water management; energy efficiency etc). A new Chief Executive also promises a fresh perspective on the Group’s strategy and approach to M&A. We view PLP as a solid long term holding with good growth prospects and initiate with a targe

Polypipe - Sector variation, solid performance

Polypipe is benefiting from its leading position as a supplier into the new housebuilders who are expecting further growth. Other sectors are seeing different conditions but activity levels – including price increases – appear to be holding up reasonably well here also. Our estimates are unchanged and we retain the view that a sector premium rating is warranted.

Elixirr - Outperforming competitors and the global Consulting market

Elixirr offers investors exposure to the long-term growth trends in the global Consulting market (including digitisation and the ongoing technology revolution, demand for innovation, efficiency and specialised expertise) all turbo charged by the group’s ‘challenger’ strategy driving market share gain from a low base. FY 2023 results showed the power of Elixirr’s differentiated model with revenue up +20% and adj. EPS up +22% in a market subdued by global uncertainty. With net cash of £18m, a posi

Morning Note – 22 April 2024

City of London Investment Group (CLIG LN) - 3Q IMS: return to growth

CLIG’s 3Q IMS reveals 5.5% rise in FuM in the first three months to March 2024 to US$10.1 billion. In the quarter performance added US$302m and group net inflows were US$224m.

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

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hVIVO - FY 2023 results, revenue in-line, margin better, future is bright

hVIVO has delivered FY 2023A results in-line with the 30 January 2024 TU, with total customer revenues of £56m, growth of 16% versus 2022A. Other income related to tax credits added another £2.6m. 2024 revenue guidance of £62m has been reiterated, representing 11% growth over 2023A, and ahead of the £60m that we had previously forecast. The company has good visibility with the 2024 figure, with 90% already being covered by the existing orderbook (stands at £80m at the end of 2023), as well as in

Malvern International - Positive results confirm turnaround on track; cash-generative and a strong bid pipeline

A positive trading trajectory for MLVN has continued to emerge strongly in this morning's results, with FY23A revenues standing at £12.2m (FY22A: £6.3m / +79%) and £0.2m PBT profit as against a £1.1m PBT loss the year before (excluding a £94k fair value movement / loan write back). MLVN provides education services including (1) a range of university-related courses for overseas students, (2) adult ELT and (3) summer schools for juniors. MLVN's contract with the University of East London (UEL) st

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The Hardman & Co Monthly: April 2024

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Morning Note – 26 March 2024

Anexo Group (ANX LN) - Key Supreme Court Judgement: No cap on non-whiplash compensation

Key ruling sets out the ability to claim compensation for non-whiplash injuries alongside whiplash claims, without the quantum of damages being restricted by the Whiplash Injury Regulations, supporting the Group’s legal services division Bond Turner in pursing the optimal outcome for the claimants it represents.

Avacta Group - AACR update

As pre-announced, Avacta has presented the results of the 3-weekly P1 Arm 1 study of its AVA6000 lead clinical asset, based on the pre|CISION™ drug development platform at the American Association for Cancer Research's annual general meeting. The update does not cover progress on the ongoing 2-weekly dosing study which is underway, and Avacta confirmed current guidance on timing including being on track to begin the dose expansion study in 2H24. There are compelling updates on the progress repor

Allenby Capital: Franchise Brands - Capital Markets Day

A well-attended and successful Capital Markets Day (CMD) was held yesterday with the theme being “unlocking the Group’s maximum potential and financial targets” with presentations by all Group companies and divisions. Financial targets for the Group have been set for the period from FY25 to FY27 which emphasises the growth that the Board believes the Group capable of achieving. We include these targets in our financial model with the proviso that at this early stage they are more indications of