Triple Point Energy Transition - 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

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

Hardman & Co Insight: UK interest rates and “risk-free” gilts at their peak? Infrastructure stocks struggle

The share price performances of the nine Infrastructure Investment Companies (IICs) and of the 22 Renewable Energy Infrastructure Funds (REIFs) have been dire over the past year. Undoubtedly, the sharp rise in interest rates has presented the sector with serious challenges, especially since the yield on “risk-free” 10-year gilts has risen appreciably. Furthermore, the ongoing war in Ukraine and high inflation rates, from which many IICs and REIFs are partially ‒ if not wholly ‒ protected, contin

The Hardman & Co Monthly: August 2023

Feature article: UK interest rates and “risk-free” gilts at their peak? Infrastructure stocks struggle Executive summary Infrastructure/Renewable Energy Funds ► The share price performances of the nine Infrastructure Investment Companies (IICs) and of the 22 Renewable Energy Infrastructure Funds (REIFs) have been dire over the past year. Undoubtedly, the sharp rise in interest rates has presented the sector with serious challenges, especially since the yield on “risk-free” 10-year gilts has r

Triple Point Energy Transition - FY23 results show fully covered 9% yield

Triple Point Energy Transition’s (TENT’s) cash dividend cover ratio was 1.1x (1.2x excluding one-off listing expenses) for FY23, up from 0.14x a year ago when the portfolio was not fully deployed. TENT’s relatively strong dividend yield (9%) and high discount to NAV (32%) have been difficult to explain and have become more anomalous now the dividend is clearly covered by ongoing cash flows. TENT’s 1.1x dividend coverage was ahead of our estimate of 1.0x and our forecasts are now under review. NA

Triple Point Energy Transition - Pitching TENT – a diversified energy transition story

Triple Point Energy Transition (TENT) invests in a portfolio of energy transition technologies aimed at reducing CO2 emissions in power Fgeneration, storage and consumption. We view dividends as fully covered by cash flow in FY23 and forecast that dividend cover will reach 1.2x by FY25. NAV return for the 9M to December 2022 was 7.8% and we see scope for growth in NAV/share given TENT is still rolling out its portfolio of cash-generative assets, all else being equal. Its existing investments inc

Hardman & Co Insight: Higher interest rates overshadow IIC/REIF prospects

Hardman & Co Research’s focus is 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 rising interest rates.

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

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.

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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

LIBERUM: The Liberum Leisure Digest: NLW increase - pricing power is key

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

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.

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

Top of the Pops

We reveal the winners of our investment trust ratings for 2024... Our ratings seek to reward closed-ended funds which deliver attractive and persistent performance characteristics in three categories which we think match up to broad goals investors usually have: long-term growth, income and growth, and high current income. This includes strong performance versus a fund’s underlying market, as well as attractive risk characteristics which we think suggests they could continue to be premium optio

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