North American Income Trust

America is still showing signs of the ‘exceptionalism’ it covets, by being in better economic health than its developed peers, yet it is not all plain sailing for US equity investors, as Fran Radano, the manager of North American Income Trust (NAIT), points out. He believes that cracks are starting to show, but the market is yet to reflect this. Given that this is coupled with what Fran believes are exuberantly-high valuations in segments of the US market, he has rotated NAIT into more defensive

North American Income Trust

America may still be in better economic health than its developed peers, yet Fran Radano, the manager of North American Income Trust (NAIT), says that it is not all plain sailing for US equity investors. He believes that cracks are starting to show, but the market is yet to reflect this. Given that this is coupled with what Fran believes are exuberantly-high valuations in segments of the US market, he has rotated NAIT into more defensive stocks. In addition, he feels that NAIT’s value-bias could

North American Income Trust – As headwind turns tailwind

North American Income Trust (NAIT) adopted its income strategy in May 2012 and, for most of the nearly 11 years that this has been in place, there has been a headwind to value investing in the form of easy money policies. However, a marked uplift in inflation, bringing with it rises in interest rates, has seen the market re-embrace value stocks. This has been to NAIT’s benefit, pushing it up its peer group rankings over the last year, as most funds in the North America sector now have a growth b

North American Income Trust – As headwind turns tailwind

North American Income Trust (NAIT) adopted its income strategy in May 2012 and, for most of the nearly 11 years that this has been in place, it appears that there has been a headwind to value investing in the form of easy money policies. However, following a marked uplift in inflation, bringing with it rises in interest rates, the market looks to have re-embrace value stocks. This has been to NAIT’s benefit, pushing it up its peer group rankings over the last year, as most funds in the North Ame

North American Income Trust - Next generation dividend hero

After a few difficult years, the North American Income Trust (NAIT) has plenty to feel good about in 2022, according to its manager, Fran Radano. It has enjoyed a turnaround in relative performance as its value style of investing has come back in favour. Investors seem to have been rotating away from growth stocks on the back of inflation fears. Acknowledging these fears, Fran is confident that the trust can provide an income stream that should outpace US inflation. Meanwhile, the trust, which h

North American Income Trust - Next generation dividend hero

After a few difficult years, the North American Income Trust (NAIT) has plenty to feel good about in 2022. It has enjoyed a turnaround in performance as its value style of investing has come back in favour. Investors have been rotating away from growth stocks on the back of inflation fears. Acknowledging these fears, NAIT’s manager, Fran Radano, is confident that the trust can provide an income stream that should outpace US inflation. Meanwhile, the trust, which has been run in its current form

Healthy dividend increases

Unlike its AIC North America peers, North American Income Trust (NAIT) combines an income focus with having at least 90% of its assets invested in the US. After more than a year of uncertainty around dividends, things finally seem to be normalising, with some companies even increasing their dividends. Over the past year NAIT’s manager, Fran Radano, has found good value in stocks with slightly lower yields than would previously have been expected for a NAIT holding, but these companies offer grea

Healthy dividend increases

Unlike its AIC North America peers, North American Income Trust (NAIT) combines an income focus with having at least 90% of its assets invested in the US. After more than a year of uncertainty around dividends, things finally seem to be normalising, with some companies even increasing their dividends. Over the past year NAIT’s manager, Fran Radano, has found good value in stocks with slightly lower dividend yields than would previously have been expected for a NAIT holding, but these companies o

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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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: NewRiver: Q4 trading update: Continued operational momentum

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.

Witan

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

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