Kepler Trust Intelligence:New Research-Replacement

RNS Number : 0076O

ICG Enterprise Trust PLC

24 January 2019

 

ICG Enterprise Trust: New research        

24/01/2019     

·     Differentiated access to an asset class that continues to outperform

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Market volatility, concerns around a trade war and worries over a slowing global economy have led to falls in markets during the latter half of 2018. Market sentiment has clearly changed since the summer. In the world of investment trusts this has led to discounts widening. The listed private equity sector has shared in this, but no-where has this de-rating been more heavily felt than in the fund of fund sub-sector. Discounts have widened considerably this year, but most especially from the position in May 2018. 

In the case of ICG Enterprise, the discount has widened from 9% in May 2018 to 21% at the end of December 2018 - yet the portfolio continues to perform and fundamentals of the drivers of ICG Enterprise's returns remain unchanged. With an approach that has produced strong returns through the cycle, we take a closer look at the trust which moved to appoint ICG as manager three years ago.

The investment team believe the trust's strategy provides shareholders with the "best of both worlds" in terms of having a relatively concentrated investment portfolio, with the diversification benefits of a third-party funds portfolio.

The managers' choice of ICG as a home nearly three years ago is relevant at the current stage in the economic cycle. ICG's flagship funds are aiming for private equity type returns, but with lower volatility. The team aims to increase what they term "high conviction" investments - co-investments and ICG originated deals - where they (or the wider ICG investment team) has made the investment decision to invest in the underlying company.

Indeed, the team have increased their deployment rate into co-investments to c. 2.5% of NAV per investment (versus c.1% whilst at Graphite). We expect the top 30 holdings to increase to perhaps 55-60% of NAV (currently 47%). Over the past 12 months 39% of all capital deployed has been invested in and alongside ICG as the team take advantage of the proprietary deal flow the trust now benefits from.

Given the backdrop of the past year or so, the team believe that a highly selective approach is key and remain cautious. As such, and across the portfolio and the recent investments, three themes dominate. The team have been investing in companies which in their view exhibit defensive growth (recurring revenue, quality earnings, barriers to entry), structural downside protection (including investing in the debt and equity of deals), and relative value(where deal dynamics has facilitated investment at very attractive valuations).

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