LIBERUM: Strategic Equity Capital* - Best buy for UK small cap exposure

LIBERUM: Alternatives Daily BPCR | SEC | MPO

Strategic Equity Capital - Time to look forward

In a vote held on 23 March 2022, Strategic Equity Capital’s (SEC) shareholders have overwhelmingly approved proposals to address the trust’s discount and provide liquidity to those shareholders that need it. We believe that the focus should now switch to the trust’s much-improved track record under manager Ken Wotton at Gresham House Asset Management (GHAM). SEC’s investment approach emphasises qualities such as balance sheet strength, free cashflow and structural growth. As we explore in this

LIBERUM: Strategic Equity Capital* - Small-cap growth with distinct strategy

Headed in the right direction

At the end of September 2020, Ken Wotton became the lead manager of Strategic Equity Capital (SEC) and, during the ten months since, SEC has provided NAV and share price returns that are significantly ahead of the MSCI UK Smaller Companies and even the broader MSCI UK Index (see pages 16 and 17). Despite this, and a comprehensive discount reduction plan (see pages 3 and 4), which now includes contingent tender offers in both 2022 and 2024, the discount has reduced but is still material.

Headed in the right direction

At the end of September 2020, Ken Wotton became the lead manager of Strategic Equity Capital (SEC) and, during the ten months since, SEC has provided NAV and share price returns that are significantly ahead of the MSCI UK Smaller Companies and even the broader MSCI UK Index (see pages 17 and 18). Despite this, and a comprehensive plan to reduce the discount (see pages 4 and 5), which now includes potential tender offers in both 2022 and 2024 (subject to certain triggers – see page 4), the discou

Back to its roots

Since May 2020, Strategic Equity Capital (SEC) has been managed by the public equity team at Gresham House Asset Management. The head of that team, Ken Wotton, became lead-manager of the trust in September, working alongside Adam Khanbhai. The chair of SEC’s investment committee is now Tony Dalwood, SEC’s lead manager when it was launched in 2005 and Gresham House Plc’s chief executive. Under its new leadership, SEC is gradually refocusing its portfolio on smaller companies where it can take mor

Back to its roots

Since May 2020, Strategic Equity Capital (SEC) has been managed by the public equity team at Gresham House Asset Management. The head of that team, Ken Wotton, became lead-manager of the trust in September, working alongside Adam Khanbhai. The chair of SEC’s investment committee is now Tony Dalwood, SEC’s lead manager when it was launched in 2005 and Gresham House Plc’s CEO. Under its new leadership, SEC is gradually refocusing its portfolio on smaller companies where it can take more material s

Focused on fundamentals

Just a couple of months ago, Strategic Equity Capital (SEC)’s net asset value (NAV) and share price were at all-time highs. However, since then, the covid-19- related sell-off in markets has led to a flight to safety. NAVs of smaller companies funds have fallen and discounts have widened. Against this backdrop, SEC has proved relatively resilient, however.

Focused on fundamentals

Just a couple of months ago, Strategic Equity Capital (SEC)’s NAV and share price were at an all-time high. However, since then the covid-19-related sell-off in markets has led to a flight to safety, to the detriment of smaller companies funds’ NAVs, and a widening of discounts. SEC has proved relatively resilient, however.

Third Quarter of 2019

There was palpable shift in sentiment over the third quarter with the cautionary undertone perhaps best reflected by gold’s resurgence. Ongoing trade jockeying between the US and China did not help the mood and neither did the Argentine debt default in August. At the real economy level, manufacturing output has been trending lower across some of the major global economies.

Discounted opportunity

Jeff Harris and Adam Khanbhai have been managing Strategic Equity Capital’s (SEC’s) portfolio jointly since February 2017. Since this time, NAV growth has been solid (a total return of 14.3%, which is broadly in line with the MSCI UK Small Cap Index’s return of 14.1%) but SEC has strongly outperformed during the last year, returning 2.3%, while the index fell 5.8%. Despite this, its discount has remained stubbornly wide.

Discounted opportunity?

Jeff Harris and Adam Khanbhai have been managing Strategic Equity Capital’s (SEC’s) portfolio jointly since February 2017. Since this time, NAV growth has been solid (a total return of 14.3%, which is broadly in line with the MSCI UK Small Cap Index’s return of 14.1%) but SEC has strongly outperformed during the last year, returning 2.3%, while the index fell 5.8%. Despite this, SEC’s discount to NAV has remained stubbornly wide.

Uncertain outlook comes as no surprise

We take a positive view of Legal & General’s FY 22 results. Despite the tough environment, the Group managed to outperform expectations – something which was hardly a given for such a large asset manager. With L&G being widely exposed to the UK economy, it might be a call one does not want to make but the firm’s business remains one of spreads – as long as a default does not occur. We remain positive but concede that L&G embeds more risk than we had assumed.

Hybridan Small Cap Feast - 21 Feb 23

21 February 2023 @HybridanLLP Status of this Note and Disclaimer This document has been issued to you by Hybridan LLP for information purposes only and should not be construed in any circumstances as an offer to sell or solicitation of any offer to buy any security or other financial instrument, nor shall it, or the fact of its distribution, form the basis of, or be relied upon in connection with, any contract relating to such action. This document has no regard for the specific investment objec

Ambitious winds of change

M&G’s FY 22 results were strong. It was also the opportunity for new CEO Andrea Rossi to depict clearly his strategy for the upcoming months. While the impetus is clear and the objectives are ambitious, we rather believe in a structural improvement of the business (driven by the higher rates environment) than a commercial one.

Hybridan Small Cap Feast - 06 Mar 23

6 March 2023 @HybridanLLP Status of this Note and Disclaimer This document has been issued to you by Hybridan LLP for information purposes only and should not be construed in any circumstances as an offer to sell or solicitation of any offer to buy any security or other financial instrument, nor shall it, or the fact of its distribution, form the basis of, or be relied upon in connection with, any contract relating to such action. This document has no regard for the specific investment objective

LIBERUM: Alpha Group International* - Highly attractive global growth opportunity

Hybridan Small Cap Feast - 14 Mar 23

14 March 2023 @HybridanLLP Status of this Note and Disclaimer This document has been issued to you by Hybridan LLP for information purposes only and should not be construed in any circumstances as an offer to sell or solicitation of any offer to buy any security or other financial instrument, nor shall it, or the fact of its distribution, form the basis of, or be relied upon in connection with, any contract relating to such action. This document has no regard for the specific investment objectiv

Critical Metals Plc - Initiating Coverage - 20th March 2023

Critical Metals is a British company that has acquired a 70% interest in a producing Molulu copper mine in the Katanga region of the DRC. The focus of the company is in the natural resources sector in Africa focused on the strategic or critical metals as defined by the United States Government Survey list in Open-File Report 2018-1021 and the Critical Raw Minerals as defined by the European Commission. The main catalysts for 2023 will be the announcement of the first sales of copper ore. This i

LIBERUM: Pollen Street * - Clear fundraising momentum

NAHL Group - Finals

NAHL generated growth in both its Personal Injury (PI) and Critical Care divisions, the former despite a continuation of subdued market conditions – hence market share gains. Results were in line with our forecasts but with a significant reduction in net debt which is especially welcome in the current high interest rate environment. Group strategy remains intact and in PI that means building the embedded value of future cash flows in NAL while flexing enquiry placements to maximise cash generati

Positive update - EPS upgraded by 5% p.a.

H&T (initiation of coverage): Pawnbroking royalty, with strong, profitable growth

Founded in 1897, H&T is the UK’s leading pawnbroker, with 269 stores, and it has gained a strong pawnbroking market share in recent years. While it is growing ancillary gold buying and forex products, its core is pawnbroking and related retail services. As other small-sum, short-term lenders have withdrawn, H&T’s well-capitalised, low-risk proposition has unique growth opportunities, with the pledge book up over 50% in 2022. The lessening of legitimate competition at a time of heightened demand

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

Interims in line, undervalued high quality income stream

Income quality stands out here: lfl rental growth continues, occupancy is full and rental collection is strong. The asset class is demonstrating the ability to perform in challenging conditions, reflecting the structural undersupply of high quality PRS homes in the UK. Pre-announced, EPRA NAV was largely unchanged at 117p in H1 with no yield compression and all rental earnings distributed. We make no changes to forecasts at this stage. We see an attractive total return with the shares trading at

HgCapital Trust - Improving its commitment coverage ratio

HgCapital Trust (HGT) posted a 5.4% NAV total return (TR) in FY22, mostly assisted by continued good earnings momentum (revenue and EBITDA across the top 20 holdings increased in 2022 by 30% and 25%, respectively) and the average 28% uplift to end-2021 carrying value achieved on exits. This was only partly offset by lower multiples and higher net debt across HGT’s portfolio (with net debt to last 12-month EBITDA for the top 20 holdings at 8.0x at end-2022). HGT’s recent balance sheet measures st

Sanctioned by an over-optimistic market

The group was heavily sanctioned for having failed to beat the market’s expectations, posting contrarian net interest margin attrition and warning of limited interest rate tailwinds ahead.