Baillie Gifford US Growth Trust - Investing in the rapidly approaching future

The managers of Baillie Gifford US Growth Trust (USA), Gary Robinson and Kirsty Gibson, aim to invest in exceptional US businesses with the potential to grow substantially faster than the market and deliver exceptional returns over the long term. Businesses capable of such growth tend to operate at the cutting edge of technology-led change, and USA has exposure to companies focused on artificial intelligence, space travel and drone delivery. The fluctuating fortunes of growth stocks over the pas

Baillie Gifford US Growth Trust - Emerging from the eye of the storm?

Baillie Gifford US Growth Trust (USA) has seen its net asset value (NAV) significantly fall in 2022 as growth stocks have fallen out of favour with investors. In addition, USA’s share price has moved to a material discount to NAV for the first time since launch in March 2018. As a long-term fundamental investor, Baillie Gifford believes that the current investment opportunities in long-duration, high-growth stocks provide a tremendous opportunity for conviction investors, which could lay the fou

Baillie Gifford US Growth Trust - ‘Blue sky’ thinkers seeking exceptional returns

Baillie Gifford US Growth Trust (USA) aims to deliver long-term capital growth by identifying exceptional US businesses that have the potential to grow substantially faster than the market. Specifically, managers Gary Robinson and Kirsty Gibson target returns of 2.5x on investments over five years. They believe that such stocks are most likely to be found at the cutting edge of technology-led change, in areas such as machine learning, robotics and genetic sequencing. The managers invest in publi

FAANGs for the memories

Large-cap technology stocks have dominated global markets in recent years, especially in the US where the FAANGs (Facebook, Amazon, Apple, Netflix and Alphabet) have reigned supreme. Combined, the FAANGs and Microsoft currently make up 12% of global equity markets while also having been amongst the best-performing companies globally. Yet we think the future doesn’t look as bright for these giants, with a series of antitrust suits on the horizon and declining tailwinds from COVID-19 lockdowns. Th

Children of the Revolution

The COVID-19 pandemic is far from over, but with March coming to a close we have perhaps seen the end of the first act. Most of the developed world is in various degrees of ‘lockdown’; anxiously watching poorly reported – and often poorly understood – numbers for indications that their government’s strategy is working. Meanwhile equity markets saw one of their worst ever quarters in Q1 2020, as whole swathes of the economy were shut down by government diktat. The speed with which the situation d

Mind the gap

Recent years have seen companies opt to remain private for longer; due to their ability to access capital from alternative areas and to remain free of the increasingly burdensome requirements of being listed. The implosion of the Woodford Equity Income Fund as a result of liquidity problems has shone a negative light on open-ended funds holding stakes in private companies. However, the capacity to hold illiquid assets is one of the key characteristics of the investment trust structure. In this a

Nanny knows best: how regulation is influencing returns

The most terrifying words in the English language are, or were at least according to the late president of the United States Ronald Regan: "I'm from the government and I'm here to help." and for investors in global smaller companies, this could be prescient. Most investors into smaller caps are attracted by the prospect of exponential business growth. Young companies with innovative products are supposed to offer a disruptive threat to established companies, with huge potential markets to grow

USA! USA. USA?

2018 saw the first negative calendar year for the S&P 500 and the Dow Jones since 2008 and, despite a subsequent rally, sentiment remains divided between those who believe the US market has more room to run, and those who think the longest bull market in history will soon come screeching to a halt. Instinctively, it feels like a correction must be due and, indeed, a recent survey of Kepler Trust Intelligence readers showed the majority feel that there are choppy waters ahead. Among those who fel

Baillie Gifford US Growth Trust - Overview

Baillie Gifford US Growth (USA) launched in March of 2018, aiming to produce long-term capital growth through investing in US equities. Gary Robinson and Helen Xiong are at the helm of the portfolio, searching for exceptional growth companies, where their innovations are likely to offer significant contributions to society. The managers undertake rigorous bottom-up analysis to uncover information others might be missing, in particular looking for companies that exhibit high barriers to entry, a

The Trump effect

Two years after the shock election of Donald Trump and with the US mid-term elections approaching on 6 November, we thought it a good time to strip out all the noise and bluster and assess what the Trump administration has really meant for US markets and the trusts that invest in them. We can identify two key policy moves Trump has achieved as President: tax reforms and trade tariffs. Each has significant ramifications for certain sectors and trusts, some good and some bad. The long-term effects

Missing something?

Investors have become increasingly aware in recent years of the rich pickings which can be found among companies which are yet to see an IPO. Indeed, statistics show that the range of companies which have already listed on a stock exchange are less and less representative of all of the growth opportunities which exist in an economy. Investment trusts have been quick to respond to this trend, and an increasing number have come to market in recent years looking to invest into unquoted, private com

Bright young things

2017 was by all measures a very good year for investors. With an equity market in full cry, we saw the FTSE 100 reach all-time highs on the final trading day of the year, and the S&P 500 achieve its first ever ‘perfect’ calendar year with positive returns every month. Meanwhile, volatility was low, particularly in the US, and the VIX Index ‘fear gauge’ continued to reflect a singular calmness among investors.

Baillie Gifford US Growth Trust - Overview

The strategy employed for Baillie Gifford US Growth (ticker: USA) which launched at the end of March 2018, revolves around the notion that long-term wealth is best created through finding exceptional growth companies, and where those companies’ innovation is likely to offer significant contributions to society. The portfolio will be comprised of both listed and unlisted companies. This, the managers believe, gives the trust a unique edge over its peers, giving investors exposure to the most comp

Morning Note – 22 April 2024

Benefits of scale set to materialise

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.

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

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

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

LIBERUM: PensionBee: Strong start to the new financial year

LIBERUM: NewRiver: Q4 trading update: Continued operational momentum

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

Witan

Business as usual for WTAN’s executive team, while the board reviews investment management arrangements…

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.

LIBERUM: PayPoint: On track for £100m of EBITDA in FY 26