Semper Fortis Esports* recently announced its intention to IPO onto the Access Segment of the Aquis Stock Exchange Growth Market. Semper is a multi-operational Esports organisation focusing on gaming technology solutions, brand enhancement and high growth team infrastructures. The company plans to raise £2.5m to develop their three core areas of establishing an esports team, forming partnerships with brands for sponsorship and B2B consultancy services. The Board are highly experienced in sports and corporate deal making (Keith Harris, former Chairman of The Football League), technology and electronic gaming (Nolan Bushnell, founder of the pioneering company, Atari), esports and game tech (Kevin Soltani and Jassem Osseiran) and as FD Max Deeley. Target Admission Date of 26 April. Darktrace plc. Announcement of Intention to Publish a Registration Document and Potential IPO on the main market of the London Stock Exchange. Darktrace was founded in 2013 with a mission to fundamentally transform the ability of organisations to defend their most critical assets in the face of rising cyber threats. Darktrace is a world-leading provider of AI for the enterprise, with the first at-scale in-the-enterprise deployment of AI in cyber security Timing TBA musicMagpie is a leader in re-commerce in the UK and US in the circular economy of consumer technology (including smartphones, tablets, consoles and personal computers), books and disc media (including CDs, DVDs and video games). Expected 28 April. Offer details TBA Wickes to demerge from Travis Perkins and list on the Main Market. Expected 28 April. Advance Energy to complete an RTO on AIM indirectly acquiring up to 50% of Carnarvon Petroleum Timor which holds a 100 per cent. working interest and is the contractor under the Buffalo PSC, offshore Timor-Leste. Carnarvon Petroleum Timor is a subsidiary of ASX listed company, Carnarvon Petroleum Limited. The net proceeds of the Placing of approximately £20.01m (approximately US$27.51m) will be used to fund the Acquisition. Due 19 April. NFT Investments plc is an investment company that specialises in non-fungible tokens (NFT). Has applied for admission to the Access segment of the AQSE Growth Market. No funds being raised. Due 16 April. Thor Explorations (TSXV:THX) seeking a secondary listing on AIM. The Company is targeting Admission during Q2 21. Segun Lawson, President & CEO, stated: “Thor Explorations has advanced significantly, in both project development and capitalisation since the acquisition of Segilola in 2016. This year, the Company is well positioned to achieve two major milestones with the commencement of gold production at Segilola in Nigeria and a maiden resource at Douta in Senegal, as well as continuing to progress our highly prospective Nigerian exploration portfolio on the Ilesha Schist belt.” MAST Energy Developments (MED) is to IPO on the Standard List on 14th April under the ticker MAST. The company has raised £5m giving a market capitalisation on listing of c. £23m. MED is currently a 100% subsidiary company of AIM quoted, Kibo Energy*. MED was established to acquire and develop a portfolio of flexible power plants in the UK and become a multi-asset operator in the rapidly growing Reserve Power market. PensionBee has confirmed its intention to float on the High Growth Segment of the Main Market of LSE. The online pension provider had approximately 130,000 Active Customers and £1.5bn of assets under administration as at 28 February 2021. The Offer will comprise new Shares raising gross proceeds of approximately £55m and existing Shares to be sold by certain existing small minority shareholders of up to £5m. None of the founders, directors or members of senior management of PensionBee are selling any existing Shares. Expected in April. Imperial X (AQSE:IMPP) to join the Main Market (standard). It is also proposed that on Admission to the Official List, the Company will change its name to Cloudbreak Discovery Plc. With effect from Admission, Imperial X will hold equity positions and royalties in a variety of projects in the natural resources sector across multiple jurisdictions, primarily in the Americas and Africa. The Company is proposing to raise up to £1.5m by way of placing of new Ordinary Shares to support further prospect acquisitions. Current Mkt cap £4.7m Expected April. Proposed move to AIM from the main market (standard) by Emmerson (EML.L) to provide Emmerson with access to a market and environment which is more suited, in the Board's view, to the Company's current size and strategy ahead of pivotal period for the Company with the commencement of mine construction at the Khemisset Potash Project expected by end of 2021. Follows recent award of Mining Licence granting Emmerson exclusive right to develop and mine the potash deposit and £5.5m raise to fund ongoing project development work. Due 27 April.
Companies: VASTN RMM ARK SEEN CRC GFM CORO ALBA TUNG BOOM
The portfolio valuation LFL fell by just 1.8% in the 12 months to end March 2021, a robust performance given the pandemic backdrop throughout the whole period. As a result the unaudited NAV fell by less than 3% to 277p, the same level as in March 2019, and represents a significant outperformance in a year when office values fell by over 5% on average according to the CBRE Indices (and Regional REIT recently announced a 7% LFL valuation hit in its 2020 year). Circle's stable valuation helps to consolidate the outstanding track record of a near doubling in NAV in the 3 years to March 2019, and the sale of an office building in Milton Keynes in H2 at a 8% premium to book value helps to validate the conservativism of the external valuation. We estimate a 3% LFL valuation increase this year for Circle's reversionary portfolio, helped by economic recovery and (selective) rental growth, leading to a March 2022 NAV of 288p.
Companies: Circle Property Plc
Share valuation. The shares are trading on a 37% discount to our March 2021 NAV estimate of 280p. This is a much higher discount than other office focused companies such as Regional REIT (20% discount) and ignores the company's high quality reversionary portfolio and very strong track record – a 101% total return (NAV plus dividend) since IPO in Q1/16.
Circle's high-quality portfolio of regional offices, primarily invested in well located business parks in the South (Milton Keynes, Bristol and Maidenhead) has continued to perform well in H1/20-21. Rent collection has been robust since the onset of COVID, an average of 92.5% in respect of Q2/20 and Q3/20 reflecting the company's strong tenant base, while occupancy has been maintained at c92%. Importantly, the portfolio is highly reversionary with an attractive WALE of 8 years.
Edison Investment Research is terminating coverage on Diversified Gas & Oil (DGOC), Vermilion Energy (VET) and Circle Property (CRC). Please note you should no longer rely on any previous research or estimates for these companies. All forecasts should now be considered redundant.
There was an eclectic mix of property companies to feature in the top price movers for September. Top of the tree was private rented sector and residential development specialist Sigma Capital Group, with a 34.2% rise. The group launched a £1bn joint venture with EQT Real Estate, the real estate platform of global investment firm EQT, to deliver 3,000 private rental homes in Greater London. Micro-cap investor Panther Securities also hit double-digit gains, while Macau Property Opportunities saw an uplift in its share price after announcing debt refinancing and a disposal. CLS Holdings, the investor in offices in Germany, France and the UK, continued to see a recovery in its share price – which has risen 15.1% in the last three months. Off the back of solid results, Berlin residential landlord Phoenix Spree Deutschland saw its share price gain 7.2%. Schroder REIT’s share price rose 6.6% in the month as it embarked on a share buyback programme, while Irish commercial property investor Yew Grove REIT also saw positive shareholder reaction to amending its investment strategy to increase its target loan to value ratio to 40%.
Companies: SUPR DIGS CRC PSDL ASEI TPON RLE UKCM BREI BCPT RGL SIR SLI TOWN CAL
Wheaton precious Metals (TSE:WPM) - Proposed secondary listing on bringing one of the world’s largest precious metal streaming companies to the London Stock Exchange. Due Q 2020 AB Ignitis grupe—leading utility and renewable energy company in the Baltic region. Admission of its Shares to the Main Trading List of Nasdaq Vilnius and admission of its GDRs to the Official List of the FCA. Offer Price Range corresponds to a market capitalisation of approximately EUR1,691.7 - EUR2,105.2 million. Due 7 Oct. Calnex, an established provider of test and measurement solutions for the global telecommunications sector, will raise a total of £22.5 million (before expenses), comprising £6.0 million for the Company and £16.5 million for existing shareholders . Due 5 October 2020, under the ticker CLX. Based on the Placing Price, the market capitalisation of the Company will be £42.0 million on Admission. Various Eateries to float on AIM. Admission is expected to take place end of September/early October 2020. The Company intends to raise up to £25 million by way of a placing . Established platform business operating two core brands, Coppa Club & Tavolino, both positioned to benefit from the post-Covid environment. The Directors believe site availability, acquisition opportunities, reduced competition, availability of talent and changes in consumer behaviour provide opportunities to accelerate the Group's growth . Mode Global Holdings to join LSE (standard). Mode is a UK-based Fintech Group, building a modern financial services business to support an increasingly digitised economy and financial system, combining the best of banking, payments, investment, loyalty and digital assets. Targeting £7.5m raise. Guild Esports a UK-based owner and developer of esports teams, has announced its intention to seek a listing of its ordinary shares to the Standard Listing segment of the London Stock Exchange this autumn. its founding shareholders include David Beckham, former football player and captain of England, and now co-owner of new MLS team Inter Miami CF. HOME REIT intends to float to the Main Market raising up to £250m. The Company will seek to contribute to the alleviation of homelessness in the UK, whilst targeting inflation-protected income and capital returns, by investing in a diversified portfolio of assets across the UK which will be dedicated to providing accommodation to the homeless. Due Mid October Sativa Wellness Group—(Canadian Securities Exchange: STIL) renamed from Stillcanna Inc following the conditional acquisition of Sativa Group (AQSE:SATI) to list on the AQUIS Exchange. A fully integrated European seed to consumer CBD group with the pricing, products, and stability to meet the CBD market demand in the medium term. With world-class extraction and formulation experts, an agricultural team that has over 20 years’ experience farming hemp, along with laboratory testing capabilities, the group has established itself globally as a trusted source of high-grade, premium wholesale CBD brands and products. Umuthi Healthcare Solutions Plc, the technology led healthcare business focused on the distribution of pharmaceuticals and the provision of medical facilities in remote areas, seeking admission to the Standard Listing segment of the Official List Kibo Energy PLC, the multi-asset Africa focused energy company, is seeking admission for its 100% owned UK subsidiary Sloane Developments Ltd , which will be renamed Mast Energy Developments PLC (MED), to the Standard List of the London Stock Exchange plc . Targeted for Q4 2020. The MED business strategy is to acquire and develop a portfolio of flexible small-scale power generation assets, exploiting a growth niche market in the UK for Reserve Power generation to balance out the national grid at critical times.
Companies: MRL DBOX GDR CRC KRS BONH JSE ANIC ARK
Top decile total returns continue. Financial results. The March 2020 NAV increased by 3% to 285p, continuing the company's strong NAV record since flotation in 2016 (compound growth rate of 16% or total return CAGR of 18%). Adjusted PBT rose by 10% to £2.41m, benefiting from last August's purchase of Concorde Park in Maidenhead, partly offset by higher irrecoverable service charge costs. The final dividend of 2p gives a total of 5.3p, 16% lower than 2018/19, reflecting the Board's decision to maintain liquidity. Investment Portfolio. 99% of the £140m portfolio is invested in regional offices, with more than 50% by income and value in business parks close to Milton Keynes, Bristol and Maidenhead most notably. We believe that high quality, well located business parks are likely to outperform in terms of rental and capital values during the COVID pandemic as tenants focus on the combination of easier transport access and the well-being of their employees. Robust rent collection. The company has collected almost 90% of its rent roll in respect of H1/20-21, 91% in Q1 and 87% in Q2. This positive data reflects the quality of both its portfolio and its diverse tenant base. The portfolio has been individually selected, based on asset location and letting prospects, and the company's strategy is to minimise voids by letting at economic rents with minimal tenant incentives. Forecasts. H1/20-21 has been positive in terms of rent collection but we are withholding our PBT and DPS forecasts for now. Further positive rent collection following next Tuesday's Rent Quarter day will provide additional confidence for the current year. The statement refers to the target of reducing gearing by selling assets where significant value has been added – sales at close to Savills latest valuation will provide confidence in the robustness of the NAV. Share Valuation. The shares are trading on a 48% discount to NAV yielding 3.6%. Regional REIT and Palace Capital are peer companies which focus primarily on regional offices and both have reported NAV falls in their most recent results, yet trade on lower NAV discounts (but with higher yields and greater liquidity). Circle shares look undervalued, trading just below their IPO price despite a near doubling of NAV since early 2016.
Share Valuation. Since its IPO in Q1/16, Circle Property has produced a TSR of 101% in the 4-year period. Despite this impressive NAV and dividend record, the shares are back to just 5p above their IPO price. This seems unduly harsh and puts the shares on a 48% discount to the reported 290p EPRA NAV for March 2020 (representing a 5% increase in the year). In our view, the existing portfolio continues to offer strong income and capital growth prospects in the medium/longer-term. Other companies with high weightings to regional offices trade at much lower discounts to NAV – such as Regional REIT 35% and Palace Capital 45% - and yet RGL and PCA have reported both NAV falls and have some retail/leisure assets unlike Circle Property.
Share Valuation. The shares are trading on a 41% discount to the unaudited year end NAV of 290p with a near 4% yield assuming the final dividend is maintained. The company has generated a doubling of its TSR (NAV and dividend) but the shares are trading on a miserly rating vis a vis its track record and portfolio quality.
Interim results. Last month's trading update stated that the H1 NAV to September 2019 had risen by a nominal 1p to 278p but the H2 growth would be much stronger – and we have maintained our March 2020 estimate at 295p, a 6.5% increase in a year when commercial property values according to the mainstream property indices are under pressure and many REITs will report lower NAVs at year end. H1 adjusted PBT was £1.54m giving adjusted EPS of 5.8p (+22%, after a tax credit in H1) which comfortably covered the Interim dividend of 3.3p (+10%).
Research Tree provides access to ongoing research coverage, media content and regulatory news on Circle Property Plc. We currently have 25 research reports from 4 professional analysts.
Following a positive EGM statement on 16 March, today’s 1Q21 trading update highlights a record quarter for the number of active customers with a further 89k new customers at attractive ARPU and AUAC. This has resulted in revenues more than doubling QoQ to $203m, helped by lower customer trading losses, with EBITDA up six-fold to $121.7m. The performance is a testament to the strength of Plus500’s technology and has been achieved as the group continues to manage high platform volumes and further drives towards its goal to be a multi-asset fintech group from solely being focused on CFDs. We increase our FY21 and FY22 EPS by 7% to reflect the strong performance resulting in the shares trading on just 9.8x CY21 PE. We believe that the benefits of the group’s scalable proprietary technology and marketing algorithms are not reflected in the share price. Hence, we reiterate our BUY rating and increase our TP to 2090p from 1945p.
Companies: Plus500 Ltd.
Belvoir has reported a very strong set of results, ahead of pre-Covid expectations, driven by a resilient performance in the Property division and strong growth in Financial Services. The relatively low risk and capital light nature of the group’s franchise model and its ability to attract and motivate entrepreneurs in the sector continues to deliver strong returns. Cash flow remained strong, with net debt reducing to £3.7m from £6.9m, post a £2.1m acquisition and £1.9m dividend cost. With Government policies set to keep the housing sector moving until at least September 2021 and Belvoir’s long-term growth potential undiminished in a large, fragmented market, we have upgraded our FY 2021 EPS forecast by 11% and target price from 233p to 285p.
Companies: Belvoir Group PLC
A strategic update from NewRiver shows intent to reshape the business, leaving it well capitalised and fit for the future of physical retail. Management is exploring the divestment of Hawthorn via an IPO, currently c.25% of the group asset base. Successful execution will help reduce LTV to within management’s target range, helping relieve any covenant concerns. Together with further non-core disposals, this will leave NewRiver with capital to transform ‘regen’ assets to create long-term value. Covid has proven NewRiver’s Retail resilience, which comes through again in its operating metrics. The shares now trade on an unadjusted +2yr fwd NAV of 33%, a wider discount than Hammerson, which to us looks wrong given the very different growth outlooks.
Companies: NewRiver REIT plc
Semper Fortis Esports* recently announced its intention to IPO onto the Access Segment of the Aquis Stock Exchange Growth Market. Semper is a multi-operational Esports organisation focusing on gaming technology solutions, brand enhancement and high growth team infrastructures. The company plans to raise £2.5m to develop their three core areas of establishing an esports team, forming partnerships with brands for sponsorship and B2B consultancy services. The Board are highly experienced in sports and corporate deal making (Keith Harris, former Chairman of The Football League), technology and electronic gaming (Nolan Bushnell, founder of the pioneering company, Atari), esports and game tech (Kevin Soltani and Jassem Osseiran) and as FD Max Deeley. Target Admission Date of 26 April. Darktrace plc. Announcement of Intention to Publish a Registration Document and Potential IPO on the main market of the London Stock Exchange. Darktrace was founded in 2013 with a mission to fundamentally transform the ability of organisations to defend their most critical assets in the face of rising cyber threats. Darktrace is a world-leading provider of AI for the enterprise, with the first at-scale in-the-enterprise deployment of AI in cyber security Timing TBA musicMagpie is a leader in re-commerce in the UK and US in the circular economy of consumer technology (including smartphones, tablets, consoles and personal computers), books and disc media (including CDs, DVDs and video games). Expected 28 April. Offer details TBA Wickes to demerge from Travis Perkins and list on the Main Market. Expected 28 April. Advance Energy to complete an RTO on AIM indirectly acquiring up to 50% of Carnarvon Petroleum Timor which holds a 100 per cent. working interest and is the contractor under the Buffalo PSC, offshore Timor-Leste. Carnarvon Petroleum Timor is a subsidiary of ASX listed company, Carnarvon Petroleum Limited. The net proceeds of the Placing of approximately £20.01m (approximately US$27.51m) will be used to fund the Acquisition. Due 19 April. NFT Investments plc is an investment company that specialises in non-fungible tokens (NFT). Has applied for admission to the Access segment of the AQSE Growth Market. No funds being raised. Due 16 April. Thor Explorations (TSXV:THX) seeking a secondary listing on AIM. The Company is targeting Admission during Q2 21. Segun Lawson, President & CEO, stated: “Thor Explorations has advanced significantly, in both project development and capitalisation since the acquisition of Segilola in 2016. This year, the Company is well positioned to achieve two major milestones with the commencement of gold production at Segilola in Nigeria and a maiden resource at Douta in Senegal, as well as continuing to progress our highly prospective Nigerian exploration portfolio on the Ilesha Schist belt.” PensionBee has confirmed its intention to float on the High Growth Segment of the Main Market of LSE. The online pension provider had approximately 130,000 Active Customers and £1.5bn of assets under administration as at 28 February 2021. The Offer will comprise new Shares raising gross proceeds of approximately £55m and existing Shares to be sold by certain existing small minority shareholders of up to £5m. None of the founders, directors or members of senior management of PensionBee are selling any existing Shares. Expected in April. Imperial X (AQSE:IMPP) to join the Main Market (standard). It is also proposed that on Admission to the Official List, the Company will change its name to Cloudbreak Discovery Plc. With effect from Admission, Imperial X will hold equity positions and royalties in a variety of projects in the natural resources sector across multiple jurisdictions, primarily in the Americas and Africa. The Company is proposing to raise up to £1.5m by way of placing of new Ordinary Shares to support further prospect acquisitions. Current Mkt cap £4.7m Expected April. Proposed move to AIM from the main market (standard) by Emmerson (EML.L) to provide Emmerson with access to a market and environment which is more suited, in the Board's view, to the Company's current size and strategy ahead of pivotal period for the Company with the commencement of mine construction at the Khemisset Potash Project expected by end of 2021. Follows recent award of Mining Licence granting Emmerson exclusive right to develop and mine the potash deposit and £5.5m raise to fund ongoing project development work. Due 27 April.
Companies: KIBO ROCK VRCI K3C TOU ADT PCA ATYM IOM MJH
Since the FY2020 results announcement in December 2020, the UK has gone into a prolonged lockdown that has significantly reduced high street footfall, not to mention the international travel restrictions impacting Ramsdens FX business. Against this backdrop the group has delivered a resilient performance in 1H21. Despite most stores remaining open, the group expects to report only a small loss in the half helped by prudent cost control. Moreover, the group’s balance sheet remains strong with c.£15m of cash and an undrawn £10m credit facility. Given today’s update and continued uncertainty regarding international travel, we now expect FY2021E PBT of £1.0m (from £3.9m). We continue to believe in a strong recovery once restrictions are lifted and maintain our TP of 162p. However, given the recent share price performance we move to a HOLD rating.
Companies: Ramsdens Holdings PLC
Wickes to demerge from Travis Perkins and list on the Main Market. Expected 28 April. Advance Energy to complete an RTO on AIM indirectly acquiring up to 50% of Carnarvon Petroleum Timor which holds a 100 per cent. working interest and is the contractor under the Buffalo PSC, offshore Timor-Leste. Carnarvon Petroleum Timor is a subsidiary of ASX listed company, Carnarvon Petroleum Limited. The net proceeds of the Placing of approximately £20.01m (approximately US$27.51mm) will be used to fund the Acquisition. Due 19 April. NFT Investments plc is an investment company that specialises in non-fungible tokens (NFT). Has applied for admission to the Access segment of the AQSE Growth Market. No funds being raised. Due 16 April. Thor Explorations (TSXV:THX) seeking a secondary listing on AIM. The Company is targeting Admission during Q2 2021. Segun Lawson, President & CEO, stated: “Thor Explorations has advanced significantly, in both project development and capitalisation since the acquisition of Segilola in 2016. This year, the Company is well positioned to achieve two major milestones with the commencement of gold production at Segilola in Nigeria and a maiden resource at Douta in Senegal, as well as continuing to progress our highly prospective Nigerian exploration portfolio on the Ilesha Schist belt.” MAST Energy Developments (MED) is to IPO on the Standard List on 14th April 2021 under the ticker MAST. The company has raised £5m giving a market capitalisation on listing of c. £23m. MED is currently a 100% subsidiary company of AIM quoted, Kibo Energy*. MED was established to acquire and develop a portfolio of flexible power plants in the UK and become a multi-asset operator in the rapidly growing Reserve Power market. PensionBee has confirmed its intention to float on the High Growth Segment of the Main Market of LSE. The online pension provider had approximately 130,000 Active Customers and £1.5bn of assets under administration, in each case as at 28 February 2021. The Offer will comprise new Shares raising gross proceeds of approximately £55m and existing Shares to be sold by certain existing small minority shareholders of up to £5m. None of the founders, directors or members of senior management of PensionBee are selling any existing Shares. Expected in April. Imperial X (AQSE:IMPP) to join the Main Market (standard). It is also proposed that on Admission to the Official List, the Company will change its name to Cloudbreak Discovery Plc. With effect from Admission, Imperial X will hold equity positions and royalties in a variety of projects in the natural resources sector across multiple jurisdictions, primarily in the Americas and Africa. The Company is proposing to raise up to £1.5m by way of placing of new Ordinary Shares to support further prospect acquisitions. Current Mkt cap £4.7m Expected April 2021. Proposed move to AIM from the main market (standard) by Emmerson (EML.L) to provide Emmerson with access to a market and environment which is more suited, in the Board's view, to the Company's current size and strategy ahead of pivotal period for the Company with the commencement of mine construction at the Khemisset Potash Project expected by end of 2021. Follows recent award of Mining Licence granting Emmerson exclusive right to develop and mine the potash deposit and £5.5m raise to fund ongoing project development work. NextEnergy Renewables to launch an IPO on the Main Market. NREN is a differentiated renewables investment Company that aims to capture the most attractive private renewables and energy transition infrastructure investment opportunities globally. Targeting a £300m raise. NREN is targeting total returns of 9-11 per cent. per annum (net of all fees and expenses but including the Target Dividend and capital appreciation) . The Company's target dividend yield for the first full financial year to 31 December 2022 is 5.5 pence. Due Early March 2021. Digital 9 Infrastructure launch an initial public offering on the Specialist Fund Segment of the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange, by way of an initial placing and offer for subscription for a target issue £400m. Digital 9 Infrastructure plc is a newly established, externally managed investment trust. The Company will invest in a range of digital infrastructure assets which deliver a reliable, functioning internet. The IPO Prospectus is expected to be published in March 2021. Fix Price announces its intention to float on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange. Fix Price is one of the leading variety value retailers globally and the largest in Russia, with more than 4,200 stores. Fix Price has revenues of RUB 190.1bn, RUB 142.9bn and RUB 108.7bn for 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Adjusted EBITDA for the same years was RUB 36.8bn, RUB 27.2bn and RUB 14.2bn, respectively. The Offer would consist of an offering of GDRs by certain existing shareholders of the Company. Great Point Entertainment Income Trust PLC announced its prospectus has been approved by the FCA. Great Point Entertainment Income Trust PLC is a newly established, externally managed closed-ended investment company. The Company will provide project finance to content makers and commissioners in the global television and film production industry via senior loans secured against pre-sold intellectual property (IP) rights. GPEIT's investment objective is to provide Shareholders with dividend income and modest capital growth through exposure to media content finance.
Companies: GOOD FIH SRT NFC RFX ARCM ACRL EQLS ORPH VRS
Augmentum Fintech has sold its stake in Dext (fka Receiptbank) to private equity firm Hg for £10.5m, delivering a £3m gain on sale equating to a 30% IRR. This is Augmentum’s first exit. An additional €2m investment has been made into existing portfolio company Grover to support the continued roll out. The current Series B round implies a £3.2m uplift for Augmentum’s stake. Together, these gains represent c.4p/share in NAV terms. We see further value creation opportunity in Augmentum’s curated portfolio, capturing the digitalisation and structural evolution trends in the Financial Services space.
Companies: Augmentum Fintech
The UK market showed a continued recovery in the first quarter albeit the indices are still well short of their all-time peaks, unlike many of their international peers. The FTSE 100 has risen by 1,186 points (21.4%) since the end of October and the FTSE 250 by 4,304 points (25.0%). The comparable performance since the start of the year is less spectacular- the FTSE 100 has risen by 253 points (3.9%) and the FTSE 250 has risen by 1,070 points (5.0%). The factors behind the sustained rally are familiar. The belief that the roll-out of the vaccine and some relaxation of lockdown limitations will lead to a significant economic recovery, compared to the collapse seen in the first half of 2020, due to lockdowns. Indeed, the recent economic picture is becoming more optimistic than previous expectations. According to the ONS, the economy grew a little more than initially estimated in Q4 last year. This means GDP for 2020 as a whole contracted by 9.8%, revised up marginally but still the worst contraction on record. Markets, in general, have focused upon the potential scope and extent of the recovery. The sectors and stocks that have outperformed have been seen as ‘recovery’ plays with a rotation from stocks seen as ‘lockdown’ winners into those set to benefit from the ‘unlocking of society’ and/or exposed to the consumer. We expect 2021 will continue to be a “stock-picker’s” market. The sharp increase in the household savings ratio in Q4 highlights the scope for a recovery driven by expenditure. As further lockdown limitations are lifted, evidence of this growth will help to underpin the more optimistic outlook for Q2 and beyond.
Companies: AMYT ARBB BPC BAG BVC BEG BONH BLVN BRSD CML CWK CRPR EYE ECHO FDM FAR FA/ GPH GSF HUW INSE JDG KAPE KP2 MACF MPAC MNZS NESF NBI OTMP OBD PREM QFI RUA SCS SEN SOS SUR TON TOU TXP TGL TCN UEM VLS WYN
The latest UK Power Market Outlook from Bloomberg New Energy Finance shows low UK wholesale electricity prices over the next ten years, falling below £20/MWh by 2030. However, we expect actual price outturns to be higher due the circular impact of lower prices on new capacity investment. While prices may weaken, we think they are unlikely to match the BNEF forecasts. NextEnergy Solar Fund benefits from its non-amortising debt which gives the company a cash cushion with which to maintain dividends even in the face of weaker prices.
Companies: Nextenergy Solar Fund
While Regional REIT’s (RGL’s) uninterrupted quarterly FY20 DPS payments backed by consistently strong rent collection has been known for some time, the recent FY20 results confirmed full cover by EPRA earnings. RGL remains very positive about the prospects for high-quality regional offices with affordable rents and with its diversified portfolio of attractively yielding assets RGL will continue to maximise dividend distributions.
Companies: Regional REIT Ltd.
Q4 Trading Update
Companies: Palace Capital plc
Cenkos delivered a good performance in 2020, with revenue growth of over 20% and reduced fixed costs contributing to a rebound in profitability. The reformed executive committee is focusing on developing the existing strengths in corporate finance and broking while ensuring increased collaboration between teams. Timing of delivery of the transaction pipeline is always uncertain, but the focus on service delivery for clients should help generate long-term returns.
Companies: Cenkos Securities plc
PRSR added 427 completed homes to the portfolio in Q3, which now stands at 3,590 homes; reconfirming the positive update (19th March) provided at the Interims. In addition, contracted homes (1,536) supports full deployment on track for early cal’22, and a demand pipeline indicative of sustained demand. Rent collection remains strong. We make no change to our estimates – with this update in line with our assumptions. We see a sustained return profile from PRSR on rental growth driving capital values as well as dividend growth, in excess of the 5%+ yield which we forecast in FY23e – the first year of full stabilisation.
Companies: PRS REIT Plc
Semper Fortis Esports* recently announced its intention to IPO onto the Access Segment of the Aquis Stock Exchange Growth Market. Semper is a multi-operational Esports organisation focusing on gaming technology solutions, brand enhancement and high growth team infrastructures. The company plans to raise £2.5m to develop their three core areas of establishing an esports team, forming partnerships with brands for sponsorship and B2B consultancy services. The Board are highly experienced in sports and corporate deal making (Keith Harris, former Chairman of The Football League), technology and electronic gaming (Nolan Bushnell, founder of the pioneering company, Atari), esports and game tech (Kevin Soltani and Jassem Osseiran). Target Admission Date of 26 April 2021 Darktrace plc. Announcement of Intention to Publish a Registration Document and Potential IPO on the main market of the London Stock Exchange. Darktrace was founded in 2013 with a mission to fundamentally transform the ability of organisations to defend their most critical assets in the face of rising cyber threats. Darktrace is a world-leading provider of AI for the enterprise, with the first at-scale in-the-enterprise deployment of AI in cyber security Timing TBA musicMagpie is a leader in re-commerce in the UK and US in the circular economy of consumer technology (including smartphones, tablets, consoles and personal computers), books and disc media (including CDs, DVDs and video games). Expected 28 April.. Offer details TBA Wickes to demerge from Travis Perkins and list on the Main Market. Expected 28 April. Advance Energy to complete an RTO on AIM indirectly acquiring up to 50% of Carnarvon Petroleum Timor which holds a 100 per cent. working interest and is the contractor under the Buffalo PSC, offshore Timor-Leste. Carnarvon Petroleum Timor is a subsidiary of ASX listed company, Carnarvon Petroleum Limited. The net proceeds of the Placing of approximately £20.01m (approximately US$27.51mm) will be used to fund the Acquisition. Due 19 April. NFT Investments plc is an investment company that specialises in non-fungible tokens (NFT). Has applied for admission to the Access segment of the AQSE Growth Market. No funds being raised. Due 16 April. Thor Explorations (TSXV:THX) seeking a secondary listing on AIM. The Company is targeting Admission during Q2 2021. Segun Lawson, President & CEO, stated: “Thor Explorations has advanced significantly, in both project development and capitalisation since the acquisition of Segilola in 2016. This year, the Company is well positioned to achieve two major milestones with the commencement of gold production at Segilola in Nigeria and a maiden resource at Douta in Senegal, as well as continuing to progress our highly prospective Nigerian exploration portfolio on the Ilesha Schist belt.” MAST Energy Developments (MED) is to IPO on the Standard List on 14th April 2021 under the ticker MAST. The company has raised £5m giving a market capitalisation on listing of c. £23m. MED is currently a 100% subsidiary company of AIM quoted, Kibo Energy*. MED was established to acquire and develop a portfolio of flexible power plants in the UK and become a multi-asset operator in the rapidly growing Reserve Power market. PensionBee has confirmed its intention to float on the High Growth Segment of the Main Market of LSE. The online pension provider had approximately 130,000 Active Customers and £1.5bn of assets under administration, in each case as at 28 February 2021. The Offer will comprise new Shares raising gross proceeds of approximately £55m and existing Shares to be sold by certain existing small minority shareholders of up to £5m. None of the founders, directors or members of senior management of PensionBee are selling any existing Shares. Expected in April. Imperial X (AQSE:IMPP) to join the Main Market (standard). It is also proposed that on Admission to the Official List, the Company will change its name to Cloudbreak Discovery Plc. With effect from Admission, Imperial X will hold equity positions and royalties in a variety of projects in the natural resources sector across multiple jurisdictions, primarily in the Americas and Africa. The Company is proposing to raise up to £1.5m by way of placing of new Ordinary Shares to support further prospect acquisitions. Current Mkt cap £4.7m Expected April 2021. Proposed move to AIM from the main market (standard) by Emmerson (EML.L) to provide Emmerson with access to a market and environment which is more suited, in the Board's view, to the Company's current size and strategy ahead of pivotal period for the Company with the commencement of mine construction at the Khemisset Potash Project expected by end of 2021. Follows recent award of Mining Licence granting Emmerson exclusive right to develop and mine the potash deposit and £5.5m raise to fund ongoing project development work. NextEnergy Renewables to launch an IPO on the Main Market. NREN is a differentiated renewables investment Company that aims to capture the most attractive private renewables and energy transition infrastructure investment opportunities globally. Targeting a £300m raise. NREN is targeting total returns of 9-11 per cent. per annum (net of all fees and expenses but including the Target Dividend and capital appreciation) . The Company's target dividend yield for the first full financial year to 31 December 2022 is 5.5 pence. Due Early March 2021. Digital 9 Infrastructure launch an initial public offering on the Specialist Fund Segment of the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange, by way of an initial placing and offer for subscription for a target issue £400m. Digital 9 Infrastructure plc is a newly established, externally managed investment trust. The Company will invest in a range of digital infrastructure assets which deliver a reliable, functioning internet. The IPO Prospectus is expected to be published in March 2021. Fix Price announces its intention to float on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange. Fix Price is one of the leading variety value retailers globally and the largest in Russia, with more than 4,200 stores. Fix Price has revenues of RUB 190.1bn, RUB 142.9bn and RUB 108.7bn for 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Adjusted EBITDA for the same years was RUB 36.8bn, RUB 27.2bn and RUB 14.2bn, respectively. The Offer would consist of an offering of GDRs by certain existing shareholders of the Company. Great Point Entertainment Income Trust PLC announced its prospectus has been approved by the FCA. Great Point Entertainment Income Trust PLC is a newly established, externally managed closed-ended investment company. The Company will provide project finance to content makers and commissioners in the global television and film production industry via senior loans secured against pre-sold intellectual property (IP) rights. GPEIT's investment objective is to provide Shareholders with dividend income and modest capital growth through exposure to media content finance.
Companies: ADME ELIX DEV PPC TXP THR ATM FFWD C4XD IOG
When finnCap issued a very positive trading update in early March, it noted that it retained a good pipeline with deals still to close in the remaining weeks of its financial year to the end of March 2021. The post-close update confirms that the Group did, indeed, secure further revenue following stronger performances than expected across all its businesses. It states that Total Income will be around £47.3m – well ahead of the previous view of ‘in excess of £43m’ and an 83% increase on the prior year. The M&A team maintained its strong financial Q4 performance while equity and debt activity continued to flourish. Reflecting the higher anticipated outturn, we upgrade our revenue and EBITDA estimates for FY 2021E by 9% and 11% respectively. CEO Sam Smith confirms that the Group’s Q1 2022E pipeline is ‘healthy’ and we see finnCap enter its new financial year with a set of businesses that are performing strongly, backed by a robust balance sheet.
Companies: finnCap Group plc
