In our 15 March initiation, Pawnbroking royalty, with strong, profitable growth, we highlighted that H&T’s core is pawnbroking and related retail services operations. As other small-sum, short-term lenders have withdrawn at a time of heightened demand, H&T’s well-capitalised, low-risk proposition has unique growth opportunities, which are expected to fuel strong earnings growth (2024E EPS 4.2x 2021 levels). We also note that the dividend is progressive (2024E yield 5.3%). H&T’s AGM trading statement on 10 May confirmed our positive expectations. In this note, we focus on the reduction in competition at a time of heightened demand and the low-risk nature of H&T’s pawnbroking business.
