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.

LSL Property Services (LSL LN) - Trading ahead of expectations

LSL Property Services (LSL LN) - Positive 4Q23 and on track in 2024

Following a positive 4Q23, full year results for 2023 are in line with the Board’s expectations (ahead of Zeus forecasts).

LSL Property Services (LSL LN) - Interims confirm progress

In the first half of 2023, LSL Property Services made major steps to create a high margin, high cash conversion, platform that will “perform more consistently through market cycles”. Interims restate observations made in its August update.

LSL Property Services (LSL LN) - 1H update & 2H headwinds

LSL has released a pre-close update which reveals 1H operating profit was “broadly in line” but recent changes in mortgage approvals prompts management to lower guidance for the year

LSL Property Services (LSL LN) - Simplified financial model

LSL has recently announced the conversion of 183 estate agency branches to franchises: 143 agreed; 40 at advanced stage. Including the 120 franchise branches it currently operates, LSL will be one of the largest estate agency franchisors in the UK, with a network of over 300 branches. This simplifies LSL’s structure and financial model to a capital-lite, high margin service platform.

LSL Property Services (LSL LN) - Good Shape

LSL’s 2022 results meet guidance set last November and show increasing market share across its divisions. This year, in a slow market, LSL simplified its structure: selling its D2C brokerages to its JV Pivotal Growth and its London Agent, Marsh & Parsons, to Dexters. With £40m of net cash and substantial proceeds from disposals, we expect LSL to focus on building out its Financial Service Network

LSL Property Services (LSL LN) -Mixed trading update

LSL’s trading update shows its diversification strategy is working: increased market share and good growth in Financial Services and Surveying for the first 10 months, however the last 2 months of 2023 have been disrupted by political uncertainty and increased mortgage rates. We cut our EBIT forecast by 14%.

LSL Property Services (LSL LN) - Pipeline: slower but not older

LSL’s interims reveal increased market share and productivity in Financial Services and Surveying, but slow down in conversion of exchanges into completions has raised the pipeline 26% yoy to £26.7m (Dec 21: £20.7m; June 21: £21.2m), skewing revenue and profit into 2H and probably into 2023.

LSL Property Services (LSL LN) - AGM trading update

LSL’s performance in 2022 YTD shows the benefits of its Financial Services growth strategy and significant progress in its Surveying Division. The impact of housing market cycles will have a reducing impact. As previously reported, the split of H1:H2 profit in 2022 will have a more typical profile (i.e. skewed to H2), after a record H1 2021.

LSL Property Services LSL LN) - 2021 record profits

What’s new: Full year results confirms 2021 was LSL Property Services’ most profitable year. Improved profitability in its Surveying division and strong drivers of growth in Financial Services suggest group profits should be maintained in 2022.

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

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

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

LIBERUM: PensionBee: Strong start to the new financial year

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: 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

LIBERUM: Speedy Hire: Weakness in FY 24 but recovery in FY 25