LIBERUM: Strategic Equity Capital* - Best buy for UK small cap exposure

LIBERUM: Alternatives Daily BPCR | SEC | MPO

Strategic Equity Capital - Time to look forward

In a vote held on 23 March 2022, Strategic Equity Capital’s (SEC) shareholders have overwhelmingly approved proposals to address the trust’s discount and provide liquidity to those shareholders that need it. We believe that the focus should now switch to the trust’s much-improved track record under manager Ken Wotton at Gresham House Asset Management (GHAM). SEC’s investment approach emphasises qualities such as balance sheet strength, free cashflow and structural growth. As we explore in this

LIBERUM: Strategic Equity Capital* - Small-cap growth with distinct strategy

Headed in the right direction

At the end of September 2020, Ken Wotton became the lead manager of Strategic Equity Capital (SEC) and, during the ten months since, SEC has provided NAV and share price returns that are significantly ahead of the MSCI UK Smaller Companies and even the broader MSCI UK Index (see pages 16 and 17). Despite this, and a comprehensive discount reduction plan (see pages 3 and 4), which now includes contingent tender offers in both 2022 and 2024, the discount has reduced but is still material.

Headed in the right direction

At the end of September 2020, Ken Wotton became the lead manager of Strategic Equity Capital (SEC) and, during the ten months since, SEC has provided NAV and share price returns that are significantly ahead of the MSCI UK Smaller Companies and even the broader MSCI UK Index (see pages 17 and 18). Despite this, and a comprehensive plan to reduce the discount (see pages 4 and 5), which now includes potential tender offers in both 2022 and 2024 (subject to certain triggers – see page 4), the discou

Back to its roots

Since May 2020, Strategic Equity Capital (SEC) has been managed by the public equity team at Gresham House Asset Management. The head of that team, Ken Wotton, became lead-manager of the trust in September, working alongside Adam Khanbhai. The chair of SEC’s investment committee is now Tony Dalwood, SEC’s lead manager when it was launched in 2005 and Gresham House Plc’s chief executive. Under its new leadership, SEC is gradually refocusing its portfolio on smaller companies where it can take mor

Back to its roots

Since May 2020, Strategic Equity Capital (SEC) has been managed by the public equity team at Gresham House Asset Management. The head of that team, Ken Wotton, became lead-manager of the trust in September, working alongside Adam Khanbhai. The chair of SEC’s investment committee is now Tony Dalwood, SEC’s lead manager when it was launched in 2005 and Gresham House Plc’s CEO. Under its new leadership, SEC is gradually refocusing its portfolio on smaller companies where it can take more material s

Focused on fundamentals

Just a couple of months ago, Strategic Equity Capital (SEC)’s net asset value (NAV) and share price were at all-time highs. However, since then, the covid-19- related sell-off in markets has led to a flight to safety. NAVs of smaller companies funds have fallen and discounts have widened. Against this backdrop, SEC has proved relatively resilient, however.

Focused on fundamentals

Just a couple of months ago, Strategic Equity Capital (SEC)’s NAV and share price were at an all-time high. However, since then the covid-19-related sell-off in markets has led to a flight to safety, to the detriment of smaller companies funds’ NAVs, and a widening of discounts. SEC has proved relatively resilient, however.

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.

Discounted opportunity

Jeff Harris and Adam Khanbhai have been managing Strategic Equity Capital’s (SEC’s) portfolio jointly since February 2017. Since this time, NAV growth has been solid (a total return of 14.3%, which is broadly in line with the MSCI UK Small Cap Index’s return of 14.1%) but SEC has strongly outperformed during the last year, returning 2.3%, while the index fell 5.8%. Despite this, its discount has remained stubbornly wide.

Discounted opportunity?

Jeff Harris and Adam Khanbhai have been managing Strategic Equity Capital’s (SEC’s) portfolio jointly since February 2017. Since this time, NAV growth has been solid (a total return of 14.3%, which is broadly in line with the MSCI UK Small Cap Index’s return of 14.1%) but SEC has strongly outperformed during the last year, returning 2.3%, while the index fell 5.8%. Despite this, SEC’s discount to NAV has remained stubbornly wide.

Morning Note – 22 April 2024

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