The Biotech Growth Trust - Onwards and upwards for performance recovery

The Biotech Growth Trust’s (BIOG’s) two co-managers, Geoff Hsu and Josh Golomb, at global healthcare specialist OrbiMed, believe that now could be an opportune time to consider the biotech sector as it is recovering from the longest and largest absolute and relative drawdown since 2006. The sector was negatively affected by sharply rising interest rates rather than a deterioration in industry fundamentals; indeed, the managers continue to refer to a ‘golden era’ of innovation within the biotech

The Biotech Growth Trust - Historic low sector valuations

The Biotech Growth Trust (BIOG) now has two co-managers, Geoff Hsu and Josh Golomb, at global healthcare specialist OrbiMed Capital. The trust has experienced a difficult period of relative performance due to the managers’ approach of focusing on emerging (smaller-cap) biotech stocks rather than large-cap biotech businesses, because of their higher growth prospects. This strategy has been out of favour in an uncertain macroeconomic environment. Hsu and Golomb highlight attractive valuations in t

The Biotech Growth Trust - Keeping the faith in smaller-cap biotech stocks

The Biotech Growth Trust (BIOG) has been managed by global healthcare specialist OrbiMed Capital since May 2005. During its tenure, the trust has outperformed its benchmark, the NASDAQ Biotechnology Index. OrbiMed favours the prospects for emerging (smaller-cap) biotech stocks rather than large-cap biotech businesses, as this is where the most industry innovation occurs. BIOG’s manager, Geoff Hsu, considers innovation to be the most important driver of the biotech sector’s long-term positive per

The Biotech Growth Trust - No style drift, sticking to long-term winning ways

The Biotech Growth Trust (BIOG) is managed by global healthcare specialist OrbiMed Capital. Despite a reversal in the trust’s relative performance following a very successful FY21 (ending 31 March 2021), manager Geoff Hsu is continuing to favour smaller-cap, emerging biotech stocks, as he says these companies are where the bulk of industry innovation occurs, and this is the primary driver of the biotech sector’s long-term positive performance. The manager believes that the latest drawdown in bio

The Biotech Growth Trust - Manager expects a reversal of recent results

The Biotech Growth Trust (BIOG) is managed by Geoff Hsu at healthcare specialist OrbiMed Capital, and benefits from OrbiMed’s presence in 11 offices across the globe. While the trust has had a weak period of absolute and relative performance over the last 12 months, the manager believes that the focus on emerging biotech (smaller-cap) and emerging market biotech stocks is the correct strategy; following this approach proved very successful for BIOG’s FY21 results. Investors are currently not foc

The Biotech Growth Trust - Performance setback may provide an opportunity

The Biotech Growth Trust (BIOG) is managed by Geoff Hsu of OrbiMed Capital, which is a specialist healthcare investor with 11 offices across the globe including in Hong Kong and Shanghai. The manager remains very positive on the outlook for the biotech sector primarily due to the current elevated level of industry innovation that he refers to as a ‘golden era’; the number of late-stage pipeline products increased by 50% between 2015 and 2020. He also believes that biotech stocks will be supporte

The Biotech Growth Trust - Favourable industry fundamentals

The Biotech Growth Trust (BIOG) generated another year of positive absolute and relative performance in 2020. Manager Geoff Hsu of global specialist healthcare investor OrbiMed Capital remains constructive on the outlook for biotech stocks, although he is mindful about the extended bull run in the US stock market. The manager is particularly encouraged by the high levels of biotech industry innovation; he believes that the favourable regulatory environment will continue and does not consider hea

The Biotech Growth Trust - Firing on all cylinders

The Biotech Growth Trust (BIOG) is managed by Geoff Hsu, who is able to draw on the considerable resources of specialist healthcare investor OrbiMed Capital. While biotech stocks have rallied strongly following the coronavirus-led stock market sell-off earlier in 2020, the manager believes they could have further to go. He is confident that a successful COVID-19 vaccine will be developed and positive fundamentals are supportive for the biotech sector’s future performance. Repositioning of BIOG’s

The Biotech Growth Trust - Positive outlook for 2020

The Biotech Growth Trust (BIOG) is managed by Geoff Hsu and Richard Klemm at OrbiMed Capital. They remain optimistic about the prospects for the sector in 2020 due to high levels of innovation and a relaxed regulatory environment, while a continuation in merger and acquisition (M&A) activity would also likely provide further support for biotech shares. The managers are very encouraged by the trust’s much-improved investment performance in recent months, noting they are being rewarded by the mark

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.

The Biotech Growth Trust - Bright start to 2019

The Biotech Growth Trust (BIOG) is managed by Geoff Hsu and Richard Klemm of OrbiMed Capital and aims to generate long-term capital growth from a diversified portfolio of global biotech equities. Investment performance has improved markedly in 2019, following a tough few years, and the managers retain their record of long-term outperformance versus the NASDAQ Biotechnology index. They remain very optimistic on the prospects for the global biotech sector, citing a favourable regulatory environmen

The Biotech Growth Trust - Industry backdrop remains favourable

The Biotech Growth Trust (BIOG) is managed by Geoff Hsu and Richard Klemm at OrbiMed Capital, one of the leading global healthcare asset managers. The year 2018 proved to be tough for the trust’s performance as biotech companies delivering negative news were heavily penalised, while those delivering good news went unrewarded. However, the managers are optimistic about BIOG’s prospects. They cite a rich industry innovation pipeline that includes a series of technologies with multi-billion-dollar

The Biotech Growth Trust - Reasons to be optimistic

The Biotech Growth Trust (BIOG) is managed by Geoff Hsu and Richard Klemm of OrbiMed Capital. They aim to generate long-term capital growth from a diversified portfolio of global biotech equities. The managers are very optimistic on the industry outlook, citing a more benign political environment, a high level of innovation, a favourable regulatory regime, and reasonable valuations. In addition, following US tax reform, they expect an acceleration in merger and acquisition activity, which has hi

The Biotech Growth Trust - Positive outlook for the biotech sector

The Biotech Growth Trust (BIOG) aims to generate long-term capital growth from a concentrated portfolio of global biotech companies. It is jointly managed by Richard Klemm and Geoff Hsu of OrbiMed Capital, who are positive on the outlook for the biotech industry due to a favourable regulatory backdrop, continued industry innovation, an anticipated uptick in M&A activity and reasonable company valuations. The trust is benchmarked against the NASDAQ Biotech index, which it has outperformed in NAV

Celebrating its 20th birthday

The Biotech Growth Trust (BIOG) was launched in 1997, aiming to generate long-term capital growth from a global portfolio of biotech stocks. Since 2005, the trust has been managed by OrbiMed Capital, the largest global specialist healthcare investor; over this period, BIOG has significantly outperformed its benchmark NASDAQ Biotech Index (sterling adjusted), despite less compelling short-term performance. The trust’s managers are bullish on the outlook for the biotech industry due to continued i

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

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

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.

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

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: PensionBee: Strong start to the new financial year

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

Witan

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

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

Hybridan Small Cap Feast - 22 April 2024

22nd April 2024 * A corporate client of Hybridan LLP ** Arranged by type of listing and date of announcement *** Alphabetically arranged **** Potential means Intention to Float (ITF) has been announced Dish of the day Admissions: Delistings: What’s baking in the oven? ** Potential**** Initial Public Offerings: Reverse Takeovers: 16 April 2024: Electric Guitar (ELEG.L) Concurrent with its Admission to trading on AIM, Electric Guitar is proposing to acquire the entire issued share capital of 3radi

Foxtons Group (FOXT LN) - 1Q24 IMS shows real momentum

Foxtons Group plc first quarter revenue rose 9% to £35.7m (1Q23: £32.9m) with growth delivered across all business segments. Trading is in line with management's expectations.