Erris Resources PLC—a mineral exploration and development company currently focused on two geographic areas. Offer TBC, expected 21 December 2017 CIP Merchant Capital—Closed ended investment Company. Sector focus oil & gas, healthcare, pharma, and real estate. Raising £55m. Due 21 Dec Panthera Resources— The Company was established to act as a holding company for Indo Gold Limited, an unlisted Australian registered company. The Company aims to explore and develop gold assets in India and West Africa. No raise. Expected 21 Dec Sumo Group—one of the UK's largest independent developers of AAA-rated video games providing both turnkey and codevelopment solutions, including initial concept and pre-production. Raising £38.45m and vendor sale of £39,7m. Mkt cap £145m. Bushveld Minerals—RTO of Bushveld Vametco and therefore 78.8% of Strategic Minerals Corporation, the intermediate holding company that owns a 75 per cent. interest in the Vametco Vanadium Mine. Eqtec—Company with access to a proprietary advanced gasification technology used in industrial size power plants to convert waste into synthetic gas to generate electricity. Raising £1.6m. Mkt Cap £8.7m. Due 21 Dec. Volex VLX.L—The global provider of cable assemblies is proposing to move from the main market to AIM on 19 January. £75m market cap. FYMar18E rev £241.5m and £7.19m PBT. OnTheMarket—Intention to float on AIM to raise c.£50m which will be used to fund the growth of the OnTheMarket.com portal, already the third biggest UK residential property portal provider. Expected valuation £200m to £250m.
Companies: BOK TPF IQE SOLG REDX FEN 426 AMYT
Despite the strong rise in the valuation of Taliesin Property Fund (TPF) we believe that the investment case remains attractive. Demand for Berlin real estate remains extremely robust. With regulatory approval in place for almost all the units to be split into their freehold apartments, the current NAV still has upside potential given the price of freehold apartments in Berlin and the distribution of TPF’s property portfolio. Additional catalysts at the portfolio level include developing the roof space and rent increases as vacant apartments are renovated. Given the transaction costs of acquiring properties in Berlin we believe TPF is likely to be an attractive acquisition candidate. We continue to recommend that investors buy TPF.
Companies: Taliesin Property Fund
Taliesin Property Fund (TPF) has announced that based on the interim valuation report carried out by JLL, the value of the Group's property portfolio increased to €359.7 million as at 30 June 2017. Adjusting for property sales in the first half of 2017, this represents an increase of 14.1% on the Group's year end 2016 valuation and equates to a value of €3,070 per square metre (€2,700 as at 31 December 2016). We estimate that this raises the adjusted NAV per share to above €43.96, after factoring in performance fees. We also note that the value per square metre is still significantly lower than the average value TPF has been able to achieve in recent privatisation sales. We continue to recommend that investors buy TPF.
For the year-ending December 2015, the adjusted NAV of the Taliesin Property Fund (TPF) rose to €31.44 per share. As at 31 December 2015, the value of the portfolio increased to €267.7 million, an increase of 27.9% after adjusting for property disposals and capital expenditure. The per square metre rate (psqm) stands at €2,240. It also announced that its first privatisation project, on Warschauer Strasse, had been almost completely sold at average prices of €3,750 psqm. It successfully refinanced its maturing loans in 2015 at lower interest rates and higher principal amounts and the loan to value at the year- end stood at 45.9%. We continue to recommend that investors buy TPF.
After a turbulent January, market participants are understandably cautious. We discuss some of the key macro themes that we think are likely to be pertinent for investors for the rest of 2016. Our central thesis is that the equity market is still underestimating two key risks: the return of inflation in developed markets and the risk of a further slowdown in emerging markets. Obviously, these two outcomes have significant implications for the global equity markets in general and specific markets in particular. We speak to several fund managers about their views on global markets and the risk/reward trade-off for their funds. Despite the volatile start to 2016, we remain relatively optimistic about the outlook for select equity markets.
Macros: Commodities - EnergyIndices and MarketsEmerging Markets
Taliesin Property Fund (TPF) announced a revaluation of its property portfolio by the company’s property valuers, Jones Lang LaSalle. As at 31 December 2015, the value of the portfolio increased to €267.7 million versus €212 million as at 31 December 2014. It also announced that 21 of the 25 residential units in its first privatisation project had been sold. As at 31 December 2015, the company estimated an NAV of over €30 per share. We have emphasized the attractiveness of the portfolio and the fund despite the company trading at a significant premium. We continue to like Berlin residential property, despite the current market turmoil and recommend that investors buy TPF at current levels.
Research Tree provides access to ongoing research coverage, media content and regulatory news on Taliesin Property Fund. We currently have 6 research reports from 2 professional analysts.
Although 2020 will probably go down in history as one of the most challenging years experienced during our lifetime, it will also likely be chronicled as one of the best years for the recognition and appreciation of science. As we entered 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic was in its infancy. However, it rapidly evolved through the exponential rise in infections and mortality globally. Much has been achieved during the past 12 months in the fight against COVID-19, but, as we enter 2021, there are considerable concerns about the emergence of a mutant version of the virus and the second wave that we are now facing.
Companies: AVO ARBB ARIX BBGI CLIG DNL FLTA ICGT OCI PCA PIN PHP RECI STX SCE TRX SHED VTA YEW
What’s new: Ahead of the publication of the Group’s interims results for the six months to 31 December 2020, CLIG has released a detailed trading update which reveals: Group consolidated FuM of US$11.0 billion (£8.0 billion), which is twice the FuM of US$5.5 billion (£4.4 billion) at the Group’s year end on 30 June 2020; The merger with Karpus Management Inc ("KMI") added c US$3.6 billion from 1 October 2020; Investment performance across CLIG’s investment strategies was “strong”, following “significant discount narrowing” and “good NAV performance”; Rebalancing of client portfolios resulted in US$ 290 million of net outflows.
Companies: City of London Investment Group PLC
Record’s assets under management (AUME) reached over $70bn for the first time at the end of December, reflecting a combination of net flows and market, foreign exchange and scaling moves in Q321. The pattern of flows has increased the diversity of revenues while the benefits of initiatives to increase the breadth of product offering are yet to come; the launch of the Currency Impact Fund is due soon and a pipeline of other potential products is in development, supported by technology investment.
Companies: Record plc
Personal Group's trading update indicates delivery of a solid FY20E result, an outcome better than expected earlier in the COVID-19 pandemic, reflective of the group's robust recurring revenues. Strategic progress has been made in the year with new client wins, greater diversification and Sage Employee Benefits (SEB) now moving to a paid-for model. The short-term outlook for FY21 is uncertain, given reduced new Insurance sales this year, however we view this as a temporary headwind resulting from lockdown restrictions, which will be lifted in time. With evidence of traction across the group, we remain positive, but current uncertainty (lockdowns, claims etc) means we maintain an U/R recommendation.
Companies: Personal Group Holdings Plc
Secure Trust Bank’s (STB) pre-close update confirms the upbeat trends evident in its Q3 update in November. The strong lending rebound continued into Q4, loan repayment holidays are at low levels, and the balance sheet has remained robust and liquid. STB reiterated that its FY20 PBT would be well ahead of £9.7m (we forecast £13.0m). However, the new COVID-19 restrictions introduced in December 2020 have affected consumer loan demand into 2021, as well as the Motor Finance business. Management expects to be better placed to disclose its outlook for FY21 when STB’s FY20 results are released on 25 March. Our forecasts (FY21 PBT £31.6m, ROE 9.1%) and fair value (1,756p per share) remain unchanged.
Companies: Secure Trust Bank Plc
Finals (9mths to Sep-20) are in line with expectations. Recurring fee income from 3rd party AuM (incl. PRSR) ensured solid profitability. The balance sheet is well resourced with £26m to develop seed assets. With a positive outlook following the launch of the £1bn JV with EQT, we see accelerating returns over the medium term. PRSR is also on track to materially complete the initial 5,200 portfolio this year. Sigma trades below our 200p+/share intrinsic valuation – which attributes no value to AuM growth, which is a strategic priority.
Companies: Sigma Capital Group plc
Sirius Real Estate has been a stand-out performer within the UK listed commercial real estate sector over the last three years, delivering a total shareholder return of 107%. The shares also offer a valuable portfolio diversifier for investors, with a geographic focus on Germany, and a focus on pro
Companies: Sirius Real Estate Limited
Vietnam Enterprise Investments (VEIL) is the largest and longest-established Vietnamese equities closed-end fund. The last quarter of 2019 and most of 2020 marked a period of portfolio repositioning for the fund. The team sold 14 holdings, and bought two, making the portfolio more focused (28 stocks at end 2020 versus 41 at end Q319) but better balanced by market cap as well as domestic and international business exposure. Over H220 the performance has picked up, with NAV total return of 28% versus 24% for the VN Index, after marginally lagging the benchmark over the past three years. The trust is well positioned for longer-term investors looking for an exposure to the fast-growing Vietnamese economy via a relatively large and liquid listed equities vehicle.
Companies: Vietnam Enterprise Investments
Volta Finance (VTA) posted a 5.7% decrease in NAV in 2020, recovering from the initial 32.4% drop in March. This was mainly supported by CLO equity tranches posting solid monthly returns in November and December 2020 at +11.0% and 9.7%, respectively. Volta had anticipated a downturn for some time and repositioned its portfolio into CLO equity over the last two years. During the early-2020 market turmoil, Volta’s manager focused on securing liquidity by fully deleveraging the portfolio and implementing cost-cutting initiatives. In December, Volta introduced a dividend policy to pay 8% of its NAV (in line with historical yields), which currently implies a prospective 9.2% yield on the share price.
Companies: Volta Finance
Finsbury Growth & Income Trust (FGT) is celebrating its 20th anniversary under the management of Nick Train. While underperforming in recent months, the trust is ahead of the broad UK market over the last one, three, five and 10 years. Stock market volatility in 2020 afforded the manager an opportunity to add another new name to the fund, credit bureau Experian, which he considers a rare example of a globally significant UK company that is benefiting from the optimisation of its vast database. Train is sticking to his tried-and-tested process that incorporates three rules of thumb: ‘if a company’s products taste good, buy the shares; the world will never be bored of being informed or entertained; and the pros are always too cautious about the stock market’.
Companies: Finsbury Growth & Income Trust
Further media reports that Dr Martens, the British Boot brand is planning an IPO on the LSE. It is currently owned by PE group, Permira who is expected to sell down its stake at the IPO. March 2020 YE the group had revenues of £672m and EBITDA of £184m. Deal size TBC. Upon Admission to AIM, Nightcap will acquire The London Cocktail Club Limited (the "London Cocktail Club"), which is an award winning independent operator of ten individually themed cocktail bars in nine London locations and one location in Bristol. Offer TBC Due mid Jan. HSS Hire Group, HSS.L transfer from Main to Aim. Mkt Cap c. £70m. Recently raised £52.6m. Leading supplier of tool and equipment for hire in the United Kingdom and Ireland and has provided equipment hire services in the United Kingdom for more than 60 years, primarily focusing on the B2B market. Due 14 Jan. VH Global Sustainable Energy Opportunities plc, a closed-ended investment Company focused on making sustainable energy infrastructure investments, today announces intends to launch an initial public offering of shares on the Official List (Premium) of the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange. Due by Early Feb.
Companies: SAG DXRX CALL BBSN ASTO DNL FIPP IIG GROW TCN
Pacific Horizon (PHI) generated a very impressive uplift in its NAV over the course of 2020. This reflects its focus on growth, and technology and biotech stocks in particular. These performed well as we attempted to adjust to life under the pandemic, thereby accelerating a number of structural trends. PHI provided an NAV total return of 86.1%, which eclipsed the return on the MSCI AC Asia Pacific ex Japan of 21.2%, the broader MSCI AC World of 12.7% and the average of its Asia Pacific sector peer group of 25.3%. PHI is the top-performing trust in this sector by a significant margin. Despite this stellar growth, PHI’s manager is not resting on his laurels. Emerging Asia still remains a high-growth and underresearched region, and he continues to focus on those themes he expects to do well over the next five years. For example, EV continues to be a significant theme and the manager has been increasing exposure to the commodities needed to deliver a greener future, but which the world is structurally short of, following long-term underinvestment.
Companies: Pacific Horizon Investment Trust
Martin Currie Global Portfolio Trust’s (MNP’s) manager Zehrid Osmani reports that his ongoing focus on long-term structural, sustainable business models was beneficial for the fund’s performance during the coronavirus-led market sell-off in Q120, with portfolio companies undertaking measures to protect their brand equity. He is encouraged by a general increase in investor awareness of environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues, an area of research that Martin Currie has focused on for several years, as he believes that ESG improvements can lead to higher total returns for shareholders. MNP’s performance has improved since the appointment of Osmani in October 2018, and its NAV is now ahead of its benchmark over the last one, three, five and 10 years.
Companies: Martin Currie Global Portfolio Trust
AVI Global Trust (AGT) offers a genuinely different investment approach to those of competing trusts in the AIC’s global sector. It also has a good track record of beating its performance benchmark, the MSCI All Countries World ex the United States Index, with dividends reinvested and translated back into pounds. Some well-timed trades and a willingness to look through the current COVID-19 disruption affecting some businesses have helped drive strong performance from AGT over the past few months. The trust’s shares are on an attractive discount, 10.3% at close of business on 22 January 2021, and it is itself invested in a portfolio of high-quality family holding companies, closed-end funds and cash/asset-rich Japanese securities, which collectively trade at a weighted average discount of 30.1% (as at 18 January 2021) to the value of their underlying assets. The manager sees numerous catalysts to unlock value from AGT’s portfolio over 2021.
Companies: Avi Global Trust
Redde Northgate has come through the COVID crisis in very good shape so far. We expect minimal impact on the former Northgate business from “lockdown 2.0”, a strong recovery in profits and a re-rating as normality returns and Redde reverts to mean. We could see further useful earnings upside from acquisitions such as Nationwide and revenue synergies not yet included. The Group is transforming itself into a mobility business which is higher returning, more diversified and has sustainable compounding growth prospects.
Companies: Redde Northgate PLC
