Half-year Report

Patria Private Equity Trust PLC
24 June 2024
 

24 June 2024

 

Patria Private Equity Trust plc

Legal Entity Identifier (LEI): 2138004MK7VPTZ99EV13

 

HALF YEARLY REPORT FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

Six months ended

Year ended

Six months ended


31 March 2024

30 September 2023

31 March 2023

Net Asset Value Total Return*+

2.0%

5.4%

3.0%

Share Price Total Return*+

22.9%

11.7%

2.3%

FTSE All - Share Index Total Return

6.9%

13.8%

12.3%





 

As at

As at

As at


31 March 2024

30 September 2023

31 March 2023

Net Asset Value

£1,203.7m

£1,195.6m

£1,181.4m

Share Price

535.0p

442.0p

412.0p

Expense Ratio*+

1.06%

1.06%

1.05%

* Considered to be an Alternative Performance Measure. 
+ A Key Performance Indicator by which the performance of the Manager is measured by the Board.

 

HIGHLIGHTS TO 31 MARCH 2024

 

·      Performance - NAV total return ('NAV TR') for the six months to 31 March 2024 was 2.0%. The valuation of the underlying portfolio increased by 4.4% during the period in underlying currency terms.

 

·      Investment Activity - Three new primary fund commitments (£63.9 million), four new direct investments (£25.7 million), three follow-on investments in existing direct investments (£9.7 million) and one fund secondary investment (£8.8 million) during the period, totalling £108.2 million (31 March 2023: £140.8 million).

 

·      Direct Investments - The direct investment portfolio has now reached a portfolio of 30 separate underlying companies and 22% of portfolio NAV (30 September 2023: 26 separate underlying companies and 19% of portfolio NAV).

 

·      Cashflows - The portfolio generated distributions of £61.0 million (31 March 2023: £83.6 million) and had total drawdowns of £86.9 million (31 March 2023: £104.4 million).

 

·      Outstanding Commitments - Outstanding commitments at the period-end amounted to £663.8 million (30 September 2023: £652.0 million). The overcommitment ratio of 35.9% (30 September 2023: 35.2%) was at the lower end of the Company's target range (30-75%).

 

·      Balance Sheet & Liquidity - Cash and cash equivalents of £27.4 million (30 September 2023: £9.4 million) and £163.3 million remaining undrawn of its £300.0 million revolving credit facility (30 September 2023: £197.7 million), totalling £190.7 million of available resources.

 

 

 

Patria Private Equity Trust plc ('PPET') is an investment trust with a premium listing on the London Stock Exchange.

 

PPET provides investors with exposure to leading private equity funds and private companies, mainly in Europe. It invests in private equity funds by making primary commitments and secondary purchases, and it makes direct investments into private companies. Its investment objective is to achieve long-term total returns for investors and its policy is to maintain a broadly diversified portfolio by country, industry sector, maturity and number of underlying investments.

 

Patria Capital Partners LLP, a wholly owned subsidiary of Patria Investments Limited, is PPET's alternative investment fund manager ('AIFM') and Manager (the 'Investment Manager' or the 'Manager').

 

Introduction Patria Investments Limited.

Patria Investments Limited ('Patria'), which acquired the Company's Manager in April 2024, is a leading alternative investment firm with over 35 years of specialised experience in key resilient sectors.  Patria has been listed on the NASDAQ index since 2021. Its unique approach combines its knowledge of investment leaders, sector experts and companies' managers, with on-the-ground local experience. With over U$40 billion pro forma assets under management and a global presence, it provides attractive and consistent returns in long-term investment opportunities, while creating sustainable value for the regions where it operates.

 

CHAIR'S STATEMENT

 

Introduction

I am delighted to present the Half-Yearly Report for Patria Private Equity Trust plc ('PPET' or 'the Company'), for the six months to 31 March 2024 (the 'Period').

 

Whilst the past six months have continued to be relatively subdued in terms of private equity market activity, carrying on from where we left off at the end of the last financial year, I was delighted to see PPET's strong share price performance. During the Period, PPET delivered a share price total return of 22.9%, assuming dividend reinvestment. I believe that the buyback programme introduced by the Board in January 2024 has helped to support the improved performance of the share price up to 31 March 2024.

 

PPET has also continued to perform resiliently from an investment point of view, demonstrating the effectiveness of its investment strategy and the quality of its underlying portfolio of growing, cash generative, mid-market private companies.

 

Manager and Name Change

In October 2023, abrdn plc ('abrdn') announced the sale of its European-headquartered Private Equity business, which included the Company's investment manager, then called abrdn Capital Partners LLP and now called Patria Capital Partners LLP, to an indirect subsidiary of Patria Investments Limited ('Patria'), a global alternative asset manager listed on the NASDAQ index.

 

The Board undertook extensive due diligence on the proposed transaction with abrdn, Patria and PPET's Manager, to fully understand the impact of the sale, and what it meant for PPET's shareholders.

 

After several months of detailed work and the completion of the due diligence exercise, I am delighted that the Board was able to consent to the transaction by waiving the 'Manager Change of Control' provisions set out in PPET's Investment Management Agreement. During our work, the Board received assurances from Patria and the Manager that there will be: (i) no change to the management and administration services which are provided to PPET; (ii) no change to PPET's investment management process; and (iii) no change to the personnel managing PPET.

 

Importantly, we also received comfort that the transaction will be cost neutral for PPET - there are not expected to be additional costs to shareholders because of it.

 

The sale completed at the end of April 2024, at which point the Company changed its name from abrdn Private Equity Opportunities Trust plc to Patria Private Equity Trust plc.

 

I know I speak for the entire Board when I say that we are excited to continue to work with PPET's management team and begin working with the wider team at Patria. I believe this transaction will prove to be in the best interests of PPET shareholders, with a re-energised management team backed by a supportive, private markets-specialist in Patria. We have included further information on Patria and its capabilities in the interim accounts.

 

Share Price and Investment Performance

During the Period, PPET's share price total return was 22.9% and the share price discount to NAV at 31 March 2024 narrowed to 31.8% (30 September 2023: 43.2%), with the discount ranging between 26.8% and 45.4%.  The share price total return outperformed the total return from the FTSE All-Share Index, PPET's comparator index, of 6.9%. PPET's share price total return has now outperformed the FTSE All-Share Index over 1, 3, 5 and 10 years, and since the inception of the Company in 2001.

 

As mentioned earlier, the Board announced a buyback programme in January 2024. As at 31 March 2024, PPET had bought back 385,491 of its ordinary shares into treasury, equating to an aggregate investment of £2.0m. The programme, which is being funded by a portion of the proceeds from the partial sale of PPET's direct investment in Action, was instigated by the Board to take advantage of PPET's share price discount and provide a compelling investment for PPET shareholders. However, the programme has also had the added impact of contributing to the short-term demand for PPET shares and consequently helping to drive share price performance during the period.

 

Turning to the performance of PPET's investment portfolio, PPET has delivered resilient NAV performance during the Period, with a NAV per share total return of 2.0% and net assets at £1,203.7 million. The sharp rise in interest rates in 2022 and 2023 caused uncertainty in the private equity market, with buyers and sellers differing in price expectations and dealmaking activity falling from the record highs seen in 2021 and H1 2022. In that context, PPET's strong performance is testament to PPET's investment strategy, which has remained consistently focused on partnering with a focused cohort of high-quality private equity firms, predominately in the European mid-market.

 

PPET's underlying portfolio of private companies consists of businesses that are often amongst the market leaders in resilient, less cyclical sub-sectors and, importantly, the vast majority are growing, profitable and cash generative. For example, the top 50 portfolio companies by value in PPET, which equate to 38.2% of NAV, experienced average earning growth over the last twelve-months ('LTM') of 22.4% at 31 March 2024.

 

Further detail on the performance of the underlying portfolio of investments during the period can be found in the Investment Manager's Review.

 

Commitments, Investments and Distributions

PPET continues to employ a consistent, long-term approach to new investment activity and capture exposure to the latest vintages of private equity investments, whilst also being prudent and considering the current market conditions. During the Period, PPET made new commitments totalling £108.2 million (31 March 2023: £140.8 million). Specifically, PPET made three new primary fund commitments (£63.9 million), four new direct investments into private companies (£25.7 million), three follow-on investments in existing direct investments (£9.7 million) and committed to one secondary investment (£8.8 million).

 

Direct investments have continued to grow as a proportion of the portfolio, reaching a portfolio of 30 separate underlying companies and 22% of portfolio NAV (30 September 2023: 26 separate underlying companies and 19% of portfolio NAV). Direct investments often do not attract any underlying fees (whereas private equity funds do) and therefore they have the potential to act as a tailwind to PPET's performance.

 

PPET overcommits to funds to ensure the most efficient use of its resources, optimise returns and to obtain exposure to the best managers in the mid-market, an approach employed since inception. Outstanding commitments at the Period-end amounted to £663.8 million (30 September 2023: £652.0 million) and are expected to be largely drawn over the next five years. The value of outstanding commitments in excess of liquid resources as a percentage of portfolio value (referred to as the 'over-commitment ratio') was 35.9% at 31 March 2024 (30 September 2023: 35.2%), at the lower end of the Manager's long-term target range of 30%-75%.

 

PPET received £61.0 million of distributions from investments during the Period (31 March 2023: £83.6 million), a decrease on prior year and a consequence of lower private equity market activity, particularly in relation to exits. The realised return from the distributions equated to 2.3 times cost (31 March 2023: 2.6 times). Total drawdowns during the Period fell to £86.9 million (31 March 2023: £104.4 million). Whilst drawdowns were higher than amounts received as distributions, it is worth noting that £27.7 million of drawdowns related to new direct investments and fund secondaries (31 March 2023: £20.6 million), where deployment is directly under the Manager's control and discretion.

 

Liquidity and Bank Facility

From a balance sheet point of view, PPET remains in a comfortable position, with cash and cash equivalents of £27.4 million (30 September 2023: £9.4 million) and £163.3 million remaining undrawn of its £300.0 million revolving credit facility ('RCF') as at 31 March 2024 (30 September 2023: £197.7 million).

 

Whilst the Company has been more reliant upon its credit facility during the last six months, this was a conscious move to further fund and expand its direct investment book. The direct investment portfolio was introduced in 2019, is still maturing and to date has required upfront cash investment. As it reaches a more mature state, it will become a generator of cash as exits are realised. The Manager believes there will be a number of exits from the direct investment portfolio over the next 12-24 months, which will provide PPET with the opportunity to reduce amounts drawn on the RCF should it be deemed appropriate to do so.

 

The RCF matures in December 2025, and the Board continues to monitor the size and terms of PPET's debt facility.

 

Dividends

PPET has paid an enhanced quarterly dividend since 2016, and the Board remains committed to maintaining the value of the dividend in real terms. The dividend is effectively a regular return of capital to shareholders at NAV and I am acutely aware that this is an important feature of PPET for many of its shareholders.

 

PPET intends to make a total dividend for the year to 30 September 2024 of 16.8 pence per share, representing an increase of 5.0% on the 16.0 pence per share paid for the year to 30 September 2023. PPET has already paid one quarterly dividend of 4.2 pence per share so far this year and the Board has announced a second interim dividend of 4.2 pence per share which will be paid on 26 July 2024 to shareholders on the register on 21 June 2024.

 

Other Corporate Changes

As I mentioned earlier, PPET changed its name at the end of April. At that time, our company secretarial contract was novated from abrdn Holdings Limited to GPMS Corporate Secretary Limited, an indirect subsidiary of Patria. We also, temporarily, changed registered office to that of our legal advisers, Dickson Minto, at 16 Charlotte Square, Edinburgh, EH2 4DF. We plan to align our registered office with Patria once it has established its permanent Edinburgh office later this year.

 

Industry Activity

The Board monitors industry activity and, in particular, has closely followed the debate on cost disclosures. The Board fully supports changes to the current regulatory regime and believes that PPET is penalised by current regulation. The inclusion of costs embedded in our underlying investee funds in the overall PPET costs is misleading to investors. PPET's costs appear to be prohibitively high which has led to some platforms, most notably the Fidelity platform, blocking new investors into PPET shares. The Board has sought to engage with Fidelity on its rationale for the blocking and no answers have been forthcoming which is extremely disappointing. The Board takes this very seriously and is engaged with the wider investment trust industry to continue to put pressure on the government and regulators to address the situation. However, in light of the forthcoming UK General Election, the Board is concerned that any progress made to date, could be subject to delay.

 

The Board is also aware of industry concerns around valuation, and the expected FCA Valuation Review. The Board engages with the Manager on valuation processes and procedures regularly. The Board believes the rigorous valuation processes employed by the Manager, and scrutinised by the Board, ensures that the PPET published NAV figure is accurate and reflective of the fair value of the underlying portfolio.

 

Outlook

Market conditions remain challenging with continued levels of uncertainty and risk. That said, the Board and the Manager remain optimistic about the remainder of the year given the improving signs of sentiment, especially the value creation activities of Funds to generate both deal opportunities and distributions. It is evident that Funds are having to think more clearly about margin expansion to help drive more exits and to create the value-add necessary to access the estimated $1.2 billion of dry powder funding that will help drive more exits. Further, greater clarity on interest rates in both in Europe and US will improve credit conditions, and allow buyers and sellers to price assets with greater certainty to further support investor confidence. Our portfolio holds good quality companies, and overall, the Board and the Manager believe that PPET is well-positioned to benefit from improving market conditions alongside the hands-on portfolio management and value creation activities of Funds.

 

As mentioned, PPET's investment objective has been consistent over the last two decades, being centred on partnering with a carefully selected group of leading private equity managers, principally in the European midmarket. I do not foresee a material change to that going forward, albeit I expect PPET's focus within the mid-market will continue to evolve more towards the lower end, i.e. companies with an enterprise value at entry of between €100m and €500m. We believe that there is an abundance of attractive private companies in this segment, with clear value creation opportunities and less reliance on leverage and IPOs to generate returns.

 

It also remains my expectation that direct investments will continue to grow as a proportion of the PPET portfolio, even with the expectation of liquidity coming from that part of the portfolio over the coming year. This increase in exposure should further capture the benefits of their underlying lower costs compared to Funds. Furthermore, the secondary market in private equity is becoming larger and more strategically important with every passing year, and I expect PPET's Manager to continue be active there, both on the buy and sell-side.

 

Lastly, the Board will continue to monitor the evolution of the PPET share price and, in the event of further sizeable distributions from the portfolio, may look to extend the current buyback programme. As mentioned, I am encouraged by the Manager's transition to Patria, and the value that it can potentially bring to PPET. The Board and I are looking forward to actively working with both the Manager and the broader Patria team to drive further value for PPET shareholders.

 

Alan Devine

Chair,

21 June 2024

 

 

INTERIM MANAGEMENT REPORT AND DIRECTORS' RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT

PRINCIPAL RISKS & UNCERTAINITIES

 

The Board has an ongoing process for identifying, evaluating and managing the principal risks, emerging risks and uncertainties of the Company.

 

The principal risks faced by the Company relate to the Company's investment activities and are set out in the Strategic Report contained within the Annual Report for the year ended 30 September 2023 (the "2023 Annual Report").

 

They comprise the following risk categories:

 

•     Market

•     Over-commitment

•     Investment selection

•     Climate

•     Liquidity

•     Credit

•     Operational

 

The Board continues to closely monitor the political and economic uncertainties which could affect the global economy and financial markets, particularly ongoing interest rate risk in both Europe and the US, and the impact of the forthcoming UK General Election and US Presidential Election, and French Parliamentary Election. The Board is also monitoring the potential for an increase in operational risk following the change of control of the Company's Manager.

 

These factors are addressed in the risk categories set out above and further details on how they are managed and mitigated are provided in the 2023 Annual Report. The Board will continue to assess these risks on an ongoing basis.

 

In all other respects, the Company's principal risks, emerging risks and uncertainties have not changed materially since the date of the 2023 Annual Report.

 

 

GOING CONCERN

In accordance with the Financial Reporting Council's Guidance on Risk Management, Internal Control and Related Financial and Business Reporting, the Directors have undertaken a rigorous review of the Company's ability to continue as a going concern as a basis for preparing the financial statements.

 

The Board has taken into account; the £300.0 million committed, syndicated revolving credit facility which matures in December 2025; the future cash flow projections, including the impact of stress testing on the portfolio, the ongoing expenses forecasts for the financial year, and the Company's net resources available for investment. The Directors are also mindful of the principal and emerging risks and uncertainties, as disclosed.

 

Having reviewed these matters, the Directors believe that the Company has adequate financial resources to continue its operational existence for the foreseeable future and for at least 12 months from the date of this Half-Yearly Report. Accordingly, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the Half-Yearly Report.

 

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

As noted in the Chair's Statement, the change of control of the Manager, subsequent to 31 March 2024, has resulted in changes to the Company's related party transactions. Details of the Company's parent undertaking and related party transactions are set out in note 13 to the Financial Statements.

 

DIRECTORS' RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT

The Directors are responsible for preparing the Half-Yearly Report, in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. The Directors confirm that, to the best of their knowledge:

 

•     The condensed set of financial statements has been prepared in accordance with Financial Reporting Standard 104 (Interim Financial Reporting) and gives a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit or loss of the Company;

 

•     The Interim Management Report, together with the Chair's Statement and Investment Manager's Report, includes a fair review of the information required by DTR 4.2.7R of the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules, being an indication of important events that have occurred during the first six months of the financial year and their impact on the condensed set of financial statements, and a description of the principal risks and uncertainties for the remaining six months of the year; and

 

•     The financial statements include a fair review of the information required by DTR 4.28R of the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules, being related party transactions that have taken place in the first six months of the financial year and that have materially affected the financial position or performance of the Company during that period, and any changes in the related party transactions described in the last Annual Report that could do so.

 

The Half-Yearly Financial Report was approved by the Board and the above Directors' Responsibility Statement was signed on its behalf by the Chair.

 

For Patria Private Equity Trust plc

Alan Devine

Chair

21 June 2024

 

 

INVESTMENT STRATEGY

PPET's investment objective is to achieve long-term total returns through holding a diversified portfolio of private equity funds and direct investments into private companies alongside private equity managers ('co-investments'), a majority of which will have a European focus.

 

INVESTMENT POLICY

The Company: (i) commits to private equity funds on a primary basis; (ii) acquires private equity fund interests in the secondary market; and (iii) makes direct investments into private companies via co-investments and single-asset secondaries. Its policy is to maintain a broadly diversified portfolio by country, industry sector, maturity and number of underlying investments.

 

The objective is for the portfolio to comprise around 50 'active' private equity fund investments; this excludes funds that have recently been raised, but have not yet started investing, and funds that are close to or being wound up. The Company may also invest up to 25% of its assets in direct investments into private companies, via co-investments and single asset secondaries alongside private equity managers.

 

The Company may also hold direct private equity investments or quoted securities as a result of distributions in specie from its portfolio of fund investments. The Company's policy is normally to dispose of such assets where they are held on an unrestricted basis.

 

To maximise the proportion of invested assets, the Company follows an over-commitment strategy by making commitments which exceed its uninvested capital. In making such commitments, the Manager, together with the Board, will take into account the uninvested capital, the value and timing of expected and projected cashflows to and from the portfolio and, from time to time, may use borrowings to meet drawdowns. The Board has agreed that the over-commitment ratio should sit within the range of 30% to 75% over the long-term.

 

The Company's maximum borrowing capacity, defined in its articles of association, is an amount equal to the aggregate of the amount paid up on the issued share capital of the Company and the amount standing to the credit of the reserves of the Company. However, it is expected that borrowings would not normally exceed 30% of the Company's net assets at the time of drawdown.

 

The Company's non-sterling currency exposure is principally to the euro and US dollar. The Company does not seek to hedge this exposure into sterling, although any borrowings in euros and other currencies in which the Company is invested would have such a hedging effect.

 

Cash held pending investment is invested in short-dated government bonds, money-market instruments, bank deposits or other similar investments. Cash held pending investment may also be invested in other listed investment companies or trusts. The Company will not invest more than 15% of its total assets in such listed equities.

 

The investment limits described above are all measured at the time of investment.

 

 

PORTFOLIO CONSTRUCTION AND APPROACH

Investments made by PPET are typically with or alongside private equity firms with whom the Manager has an established relationship of more than ten years.

 

As at 31 March 2024, PPET directly held 83 separate fund investments (30 September 2023: 80) comprising primary and secondary fund interests, as well as 30 separate direct investments (30 September 2023: 26).

 

Through its portfolio of directly held investments, the Company indirectly has exposure to a diverse range of underlying portfolio companies, as well as additional underlying fund of fund and co-investment interests. At 31 March 2024, PPET's underlying portfolio included exposure to 714 separate underlying portfolio companies (30 September 2023: 720).

 

PPET predominantly invests in European mid-market companies. Around 74% (30 September 2023: 75%) of the total value of underlying portfolio company exposure1 is invested in European domiciled operating companies and the Board expects this to remain the case over the longer term, with a weighting towards North-Western Europe. This has been PPET's geographic focus since its inception in 2001 and where it has a strong, long-term track record.

 

However, PPET also selectively seeks exposure to North American mid-market companies, as a means to access emerging growth or investment trends that cannot be fully captured by investing in Europe alone.

 

PPET has a well-balanced portfolio in terms of non-cyclical and cyclical exposure. Currently the largest single sector exposure, Information Technology, represents 22% of the total value of underlying portfolio company exposure1 (30 September 2023: 22%) and it is expected that no single sector will be more than 30% of the portfolio over the longer term. Over time, the Manager anticipates a continuation of the recent shift toward sectors that are experiencing long-term growth (such as Technology and Healthcare) at the expense of more cyclical sectors, such as Industrial and Consumer Discretionary.

 

Environmental, Social and Governance ('ESG') is a strategic priority for the Board and the Manager. PPET aims to be an active, long-term responsible investor and ESG is a fundamental component of PPET's investment process. Further detail on the Manager's approach to ESG can be found in the Annual Report to 30 September 2023.

 

1 Excludes underlying fund and co-investments indirectly held through the Company portfolio.

 

 

INTRODUCTION TO THE MANAGER - HOW WE INVEST

In order to achieve the investment objective, maintain a balanced portfolio and take advantage of opportunities as they arise, PPET invests in three types of private equity investment:

 

1.   Primary Funds

PPET commits to investing in a new private equity fund. The committed capital will generally be drawn over a three- to five year period as investments in underlying private companies are made. Proceeds are then returned to PPET when the underlying companies are sold, typically over a four- to five-year holding period.

 

Primary investment has been the core focus of PPET's investment objective since its inception in 2001. Primary investments can provide PPET with:

 

•     consistent exposure to leading private equity managers;

•     underlying portfolio diversification;

•     a steady, predictable cash flow profile; and

•     help drive PPET's dealflow in secondaries and direct investments.

 

2.   Fund Secondaries

PPET acquires a single fund interest or a portfolio of fund interests from another investor, with the prior approval of the private equity managers of the target funds. PPET pays the seller a cash amount for the interests and takes on any outstanding commitments to the target funds.

 

Typically this would occur at a point where the target fund (or funds) has already invested the majority of its capital and so the Manager is able to evaluate the quality of the underlying portfolio of companies prior to investment. The price paid in this type of transaction will reflect the age profile of the funds, the quality of the managers and the quality of the underlying portfolios, therefore can often be at a premium or discount to NAV. Fund secondaries allow the Manager to gain exposure to funds of new or existing managers a later stage in a fund's life.

 

Secondaries typically have a shorter investment duration than a primary investment. Fund secondaries are opportunistic in nature and their availability is dependent on multiple market and deal-specific factors.

 

3.   Direct Investments

PPET makes direct investments into private companies alongside other private equity managers, either through a co-investment or a single asset secondary transaction. Co-investment was introduced to the investment objective in 2019.

 

PPET's strategy is to only directly invest alongside private equity managers with which Patria Private Equity has made a primary fund investment. The Manager is seeking to build a diversified portfolio of around 30 to 35 direct investments in order to mitigate concentration risk.

 

 

INVESTMENT MANAGER'S REVIEW

 

Performance

The Manager is delighted by PPET's strong performance during the period, in what remains a challenging market. The key driver of that performance has been underlying earnings growth and, in that respect, it is worth reiterating that the vast majority of PPET's underlying portfolio of private companies are growing, profitable and, importantly, cash generative. Many of these businesses are niche market leaders providing mission critical services and in less cyclical sectors such as Technology, Healthcare, Consumer Staples and Business Services.

 

The NAV Total Return ('NAV TR') for the six months ended 31 March 2024 was 2.0% versus 6.9% for the FTSE All-Share Index. The valuation of the portfolio at 31 March 2024 increased 4.4% over the period on a constant currency basis, partially offset by a 1.9% decrease attributable to FX on the portfolio, principally due to the appreciation of pound sterling compared to US dollar and the Euro. The increase in value of the portfolio on a per share basis was 20.3p. This was principally made up of unrealised and realised gains and income of 36p, partially offset by FX, dividends and costs associated with management fee, administrative and financing of 30.5p.

 

The unrealised gains in the period are attributable to the strong performance of the underlying portfolio, which continues to perform well operationally. Looking at the top 50 underlying portfolio companies, which are the main value drivers and equate to 38.2% of the portfolio, the average revenue and EBITDA growth was 12.4% and 22.4% respectively in the twelve months to 31 March 2024. That has helped drive the resilient valuation performance in the portfolio. Focusing on the same cohort of top companies, the median valuation multiple was14.4x EBITDA at 31 March 2024, compared with 14.0x at 30 September 2023. We are especially pleased about progress in PPET's co-investment portfolio, which has seen a constant currency valuation uplift of 8.9% during the six months to 31 March 2024.

 

Realised gains were derived from full or partial sales of underlying portfolio companies during the six-month period, which were at an average uplift of 27.3% to the unrealised value two quarters prior (31 March 2023: 15.1%). The headline realised return from the portfolio exits equated to 2.3 times cost, which we consider a strong performance in what was a challenging backdrop for private equity managers to conduct successful exit processes.

 

NAV Performance

Pence per share

NAV as at 1 October 2023

777.7

Net realised gains and income from portfolio

+22.7

Net unrealised gains at constant FX on portfolio

+13.4

Net unrealised FX losses on portfolio

-15.7

Dividends paid

-8.0

Management fee, administration and finance costs

-6.8

Accretion from share buy-back scheme

+0.7

Net income for other assets

1.0

NAV as at 31 March 2024

784.9

 

Top companies

% of portfolio

Median valuation multiple

Media leverage multiple

Average LTM Revenue growth

Average LTM EBITDA growth

10

13.6%

14.7x

4.2x

14.9%

23.4%

30

28.9%

14.9x

4.8x

12.5%

20.2%

50

38.2%

14.4x

3.9x

12.4%

22.4%

 

 

Drawdowns

 

Amount - £million

EDG (Co-investment)

7.0

IK Partnership II

6.3

IK IX Luxco 15 S.a.r.l. (Co-investment)

5.2

Procemsa (Co-investment)

4.5

Altor V

4.4

Nordic Capital Evolution Fund

4.2

One Peak Co-invest III LP (Co-investment)

4.2

Chanelle Pharma (Co-investment)

3.4

IK IX

2.9

Advent X

2.9

Other

41.9

 

£86.9 million was drawn down during the period (31 March 2023: £104.4 million), primarily for investment into existing and new underlying portfolio companies. £57.1 million of this figure related to primary fund drawdowns (31 March 2023: £83.8 million), with the remainder related to direct investments and fund secondaries, which is fully under the control of the Manager and as planned. Direct investment and fund secondaries are covered in detail later in the review.

 

Fund drawdowns have fallen materially compared to prior year due to the lower level of private equity M&A activity in recent months. Drawdowns during the period were mainly used to fund new investments, with notably large drawdowns relating to the following underlying portfolio companies:

 

·      Valoria Capital (IK Partnership Fund II) - French independent financial advisor with over €4.0bn AuM;

·      Medica Group (IK Fund IX) - UK healthcare services provider focused on teleradiology and imaging services;

·      Arterex (Investindustrial Growth III) - Medical device contract manufacturing platform;

·      Autocirc (Nordic Evolution Fund I) - Recycled automotive spare parts;

·      FLSmidth (Altor Fund V) - Services and equipment for mining and cement industries.

 

Private equity funds usually have credit facilities to finance new investments initially before drawing the capital from investors. We estimate that PPET had around £93.6 million held on these underlying fund credit facilities at 31 March 2024 (30 September 2023: £79.5 million), and we expect that this will be largely drawn over the next 12 months.

 

Distributions

 

Amount - £million

IK VIII

12.9

Investindustrial Growth

6.0

Advent International Global Private Equity VIII

5.3

CVC VII

5.0

Exponent III

4.1

Other

27.7



£61.0 million of distributions were received from funds during the year (31 March 2023: £83.6 million). This decrease in distributions was expected by the Manager and is a direct consequence of the lower levels of private equity M&A activity during the period.

 

Exit activity continues to be driven by market appetite for high quality private companies in resilient sectors, which often have the potential to expand inorganically through add-on acquisitions. These resilient businesses continue to attract interest from both trade and financial buyers.

 

Initial Public Offering ('IPO') activity in the portfolio remained relatively low, albeit there was at least some activity during the period, following no activity in 2023. Douglas (a beauty products retailer) and RENK Group (a manufacturer of gearboxes) both successfully listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange during the early part of 2024.

 

The largest distributions during the period related to the following underlying portfolio companies, with the relevant funds stated in brackets:

 

·      Nomios (IK Fund VIII) - a European provider of cybersecurity and secure networking services;

·      Aspia (IK Fund VIII) - a provider of accounting, payroll and skilled advisory services in Sweden;

·      Messer Industries (CVC VII) - a leading European supplier of industrial gases used across multiple industries;

·      Procemsa (Investindustrial Growth Fund I) - pharmaceutical CDMO provider of food supplements and vitamins;

·      Meadow Foods (Exponent Fund III) - UK B2B provider of dairy foods and related ingredients

 

Commitments

PPET made new commitments totalling £108.2 million during the period (31 March 2023: £140.8 million), with three new primary fund commitments (£63.9 million), four new direct investments (£25.7 million), three follow-on investments in existing direct investments (£9.7 million) and one secondary investment (£8.8 million) during the period. Outstanding commitments at the period-end amounted to £663.8 million (31 March 2023: £699.7 million).

 

The value of outstanding commitments in excess of liquid resources as a percentage of portfolio value (referred to as the 'over-commitment ratio') was 35.9% at 31 March 2024 (31 March 2023: 37.6%). This is broadly in line with the figure twelve months prior and is at the lower end of our long-term target range of 30%-75%. We estimate that £91.9 million of the reported outstanding commitments are unlikely to be drawn down (31 March 2023: £72.0 million), due to the nature of private equity investing, with private equity funds not always being fully drawn.

 

Outstanding Commitments

 

As at

Outstanding Commitments

Outstanding commitments in excess of undrawn loan facility and case resources as a % of portfolio NAV (£million)

30 September 2020

30.9%

471.4

30 September 2021

32.5%

557.1

30 September 2022

42.8%

678.9

30 September 2023

35.2%

652.0

31 March 2024

35.9%

663.8

 

Outstanding Commitment Movement between 1 October 2023 and 31 March 2024

 

£million

Outstanding commitments as at 1 October 2023

652.0

Fund investment drawdowns

-59.3

Co-investment and secondary funding

-27.7

New commitments

+108.2

Recallable distributions

+3.1

Foreign exchange impact

-12.5

Outstanding commitments as at 31 March 2024

663.8

 

Balance Sheet and Liquidity

The balance sheet remains in a strong position with cash and cash equivalents at 31 March 2024 of £27.4 million (30 September 2023: £9.4) and £163.3 million remaining undrawn of its £300.0 million revolving credit facility (30 September 2023: £197.7 million), totalling £190.7 million of available resources.

 

As discussed earlier by the Chair, PPET has drawn more of its credit facility during the last six months. This decision was taken by the Manager in order for PPET to further expand its direct investment book, during a period of lower distributions from fund investments. We believe that there will be a number of exits from the direct investment portfolio over the next 12-24 months, which would result in the reduction of amounts drawn on the RCF should it be deemed appropriate to do so.

 

Investment Activity

 

Primary Funds

£63.9 million was committed to three new primary funds during the first six months of the year (31 March 2023: £121.3 million into five new primary funds). As a reminder, PPET's primary fund strategy is to partner with private equity firms, principally in the Europe, that have genuine sector expertise and operational value creation capabilities with a core mid-market buyout orientation, i.e. focusing on businesses with an enterprise value between €100.0 million and €1.0 billion at entry. The firms that PPET has partnered with during the period fulfil this criteria and all comprise established relationships that the Manager has developed over many years, often decades.

 

Investment

 

£m

Description

IK Fund X


26.1

Focused primarily on lower middle market businesses in Northern Continental Europe across Business Services, Consumer/Food, Healthcare and Industrials.

Bowmark Fund VII


25.0

Focused on mid-market businesses in the UK software and services sectors.

Altor Climate Transition Fund I


12.8

Focused on investments across Northern Europe that will help to decarbonise industries with a traditionally heavy carbon footprint.

Case study - Primary Funds - Bowmark Capital

Bowmark is a leading lower mid-market private equity firm in the UK, with a proven strategy and long track record in highly attractive sectors.

 

Investment:  Bowmark Capital Partners VII

Fund size: £907m

PPET comment: £25m

Commitment year: 2024

Geographic focus: UK

Target company size: Mid-market

Sectors: Data and Insight, Managed IT Services, Software and Tech-Enabled Business Services

Investment strategy: Growth Buyout

Overview

•       Bowmark is an established, high-quality UK GP and a brand name in the market. It was originally founded in 1997 as Sagitta Private Equity, part of the Sagitta Group, but was renamed Bowmark following a management buyout completed by Kevin Grassby and Charles Ind in 2004.

•       Bowmark targets investments in high quality, market leading businesses with the opportunity for transformational growth, driven by structural rather than cyclical trends. These companies are typically technology or tech-enabled B2B services companies, often with disruptive business models in traditional markets, and have high recurring revenue, strong sales and earnings growth, and strong cash generation.

•       Bowmark partners with high quality management teams to accelerate growth, with the aim of doubling earnings during its ownership to generate attractive, and consistent, returns.

PPET's Exposure

•       PPET's commitment to Bowmark VII is its first with Bowmark, as part of the Trust's strategic evolution to target a number of high quality, lower mid-market managers.

•       The Patria Private Equity team has known Bowmark for two decades and been an investor in Bowmark since 2004.

 

Direct investments

During the six-month period, PPET invested and committed £34.4 million four new direct investments and three follow-on investments in existing direct investments (31 March 2023: £14.9 million into two new co-investments and two follow-on investments).

 

The level of deployment into new direct investments has increased in the period to 31 March 2024 compared to prior year. This has been due to the Manager seeing a greater number of high-quality direct investment leads compared to prior year.

 

As a reminder, co-investments (which comprise the majority of the direct investment portfolio, along with single-asset secondaries) were introduced to PPET's investment objective in 2019 and bring a number of advantages, most notably greater control over portfolio construction and lower associated costs (and therefore higher return potential). Over the longer term the Manager expects direct investments to equate to around 25-30% of the portfolio.

 

At 31 March 2024 there were 30 direct investments in PPET's portfolio, equating to 22% of portfolio NAV. The direct investment portfolio is slowly maturing, with an average investment age of 2.1 years at 31 March 2024, and we are delighted with its performance so far, with only one investment held below cost and several direct investments ahead of their initial investment case. We believe that there are a number of candidates for exit over the next 12-24 months, which will return material cash back to PPET.

 

Investment

 

£m

Description

European Digital Group


8.9

Business services provider focused on digital transformation. Investment alongside Latour Capital. See case study.

Procemsa


7.3

Italian-headquartered vitamins and food supplements Contact Development and Manufacturing Organisation ('CDMO'). Investment alongside Investindustrial.

Goodlife


5.2

Manufacturer of frozen snacks in Europe, with a diversified business mix across Retail, Out-of-Home and Industry. Investment alongside IK Partners.

Follow-on investment into Visma


4.7

Provider of cloud-based, mission critical business software. Investment alongside Hg.

Channelle Pharma


4.3

Manufacturer of generic animal and human health products headquartered in Ireland. Investment alongside Exponent.

Follow-on investment into an undisclosed company


4.2

European-headquartered technology business in the healthcare sector, the details of which are undisclosed due to confidentiality restrictions.

Follow-on investment into an undisclosed company


0.8

US-headquartered consumer business, the details of which remain

undisclosed due to confidentiality restrictions.

 

Case Study - Co-investment - European Digital Group

EDG (European Digital Group) is an integrated B2B services provider in the digital transformation and digital marketing segments based in France.

Lead Manager: Latour Capital/Montefiore

PPET's investment: €10.5m

Investment year: 2024

Geographic focus: France

Size at entry: Mid-market (<€1bn EV)

Sector: Business services

Company Overview

•       EDG is the largest French digitally native, integrated Business Services provider in the digital transformation and digital marketing segments.

•       EDG helps businesses transform digitally. It is an end to end, one stop shop for its clients with 5 complementary business units: Data and AI, Technology and Cybersecurity, Performance Marketing, Digital Content and Growth Enablers.

•       95% of the firm's revenue is generated in France from a diversified client base with no dependence on any one sector.

•       The platform has had an impressive M&A journey to date completing 23 acquisitions, which all benefit from cost and cross sell synergies once integrated into the wider EDG platform, enhancing growth at a subsidiary level.

•       The group is led by a well-respected, serial entrepreneur and the team comprises 1,500 staff. All subsidiary managers are investors in EDG and incentivised at their subsidiary level.

 

The Opportunity

•       Operates in a resilient, highly fragmented market where growth is driven by continuing digitalisation of companies and the continued shortage of tech talent.

•       Differentiated market positioning as a digital native local specialist with an end to end offering and clear value proposition at competitive pricing, particularly for the small and mid-sized enterprise, an area underserved by global players.

•       Impressive growth since inception, materially outperforming the market with acquired businesses growing well above historic rates due to the benefits of being part of the group.

•       Diversified business model which leverages a 'snowball effect' as it scales to deliver strong synergies which has been supplemented by M&A with over 20 acquisitions to date.

•       Clear value creation plan with multiple levers including further initiatives to drive organic growth in each business unit as well as through synergies, M&A and potential new product launches.

•       Highly rated founder and management team with an entrepreneurial approach, able to unlock attractive acquisition targets and drive best in class talent retention rates in a highly competitive market.

•       Attractive timing to acquire a resilient asset alongside two high quality sponsors (Latour and Montefiore) with in-depth knowledge of the business.

 

 

Fund Secondaries

PPET committed £8.8 million into a new secondary investment during the period (31 March 2023: £4.6 million into one new secondary investment), which was funded in April 2024.

 

Investment

 

£m

Description

Clean Biologics


8.8

Contract Testing Development and Manufacturing (CDTMO) business. See Case Study

 

Case Study - Fund Secondaries- Clean Biologics

Clean Biologics is a leading European Contract Testing, Development and Manufacturing (CTDMO) business.

Lead Manager: ArchiMed

PPET's investment: €10.4m

Investment year: 2024

Geographic focus: France/North America

Size at entry: Lower mid-market (<€500m EV)

Sector: Healthcare

Company Overview

•       Clean Biologics is a Contract Testing Development and Manufacturing (CDTMO) business providing industry-compliant services for pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical companies, specialising in the safety and production of biopharmaceuticals for clinical trials.

•       The Group was formed following ArchiMed's acquisition of Clean Cells in 2018, a QC testing business, and the subsequent acquisitions of Biodextris and Naobios, which expanded the business' core competencies and bolstered its CDMO capabilities.

•       Clean Biologics was held in ArchiMed's second fund, MED II, and, over the hold period of 5 years, it significantly outperformed its original business plan. During this time, the business tripled its revenue and EBITDA. Through engagement with their MedTalent network and discussions with trade buyers, ArchiMed identified a number of further value creation opportunities for the business and elected to roll the business into a continuation vehicle.

 

The Opportunity

•       Clearly defined strategy focused around changing the organisational structure of the business. Through engagement with a number of trade buyers, ArchiMed concluded that exit optionality and value would be maximised by splitting Clean Biologics into two distinct businesses focused on drug quality control testing and CDMO services, respectively.

•       Large market (c. $5.4bn) experiencing favourable commercial and regulatory tailwinds for structural growth (13% CAGR expected) driven by increased biopharma spending on clinical trials and R&D and increased regulatory scrutiny supporting QC testing.

•       Clean Biologics is a scarce asset with Clean Cells being one of the few reaming independent QC testing providers having differentiated scientific capabilities (in traditional as well as Next Generation Sequencing based QC testing services) and Biodextris having differentiated expertise in production of niche therapeutic proteins.

•       Attractive investment timing, benefiting from recent capex and improving market sentiment/forward pipeline visibility. The investment coincided with early shoots of recovery in global biopharma spending on clinical trials, after a challenging period, with the companies positioned to benefit from the historical investment in significant capacity expansion (3-4x) of facilities.

•       Opportunity to back ArchiMed, a high conviction manager, on a transaction in their sector sweet spot where they have significant experience, track record of returns and strong trade buyer relationships.

 

Portfolio Construction

The underlying portfolio consists of 714 private companies (30 September 2023: 720), largely within the European midmarket and spread across different countries, sectors and vintages. At 31 March 2024, 12 (30 September 2023: 12) companies equated to more than 1% of portfolio NAV based on underlying portfolio company exposure, with the largest single exposure being PPET's investment in Action, equating to 2.0%.

 

Geographic

The portfolio is well diversified, which means that there isn't a reliance on one private equity manager, company, geographic region, sector or vintage to drive performance. At 31 March 2024, 74% of underlying private companies were headquartered in Europe. PPET's underlying portfolio remains largely oriented to Northwestern Europe, with only 10% (30 September 2023: 10%) of underlying portfolio company exposure in Southern Europe and Eastern Europe. PPET is well diversified by region across Northwestern Europe, with the Nordics being the highest exposure at 15% (30 September 2023: 14%).

 

North America equates to 24% (30 September 2023: 24%) of the total, with exposure to the region obtained through European private equity managers that have expanded their operations into North America and US-headquartered lower mid-market private equity managers that PPET partners with for specific sector exposure (e.g. Great Hill Partners in Technology, American Industrial Partners in Industrials, Windrose in Healthcare and Seidler in Consumer).

 

Geography of the Underlying Portfolio as at 31 March 2024

 

 

Exposure %

North America

24

Nordics

15

United Kingdom

15

France

13

Germany

12

Benelux

7

Spain

4

Italy

3

Switzerland

2

Other ex-Europe

2

 

1 Based on the latest available information from underlying managers. Figures represent percentage of total value of underlying portfolio company exposure. Geographic exposure is defined as the geographic region where underlying portfolio companies are headquartered.

 

Sector Exposure1

At 31 March 2024, Technology and Healthcare represented a combined 41% of the underlying portfolio company exposure 30 September 2023: 41%. When combined with Consumer Staples, these more stable, less cyclical sectors equate to over half of PPET's underlying portfolio at 51% (30 September 2023: 51%). It is worth noting that PPET generally invests in Technology businesses that are profitable and Business-to-Business ('B2B') focused and therefore has relatively low exposure to higher growth, unprofitable technology businesses where the consumer is the customer.

 

The other half of the portfolio is exposed to more cyclical sectors, notably Industrials, Consumer Discretionary and Financials. That said, there are sub-sectors within these areas that provide growth opportunities, such as Fintech, Business Services and industrial sub-sectors related to the 'green transition'. These businesses often have a valuable product or an essential service offering with a strong digital component. Some examples within our top 20 underlying portfolio companies by value include European Camping Group, CFC Underwriting (cyber security insurance MGA), Trioplast (sustainable manufacturer of polyethylene film) and Planet (provider of payments solutions for hospitality and retail).

 

 

% Exposure as at

Sector

 

31 March 2024

Information Technology


22

Healthcare


19

Industrial


19

Consumer discretionary


14

Consumer staples


10

Financials


9

Materials


4

Energy


1

Utilities


1

Telecommunication services


1

 

1 Based on the latest available information from underlying managers. Figures represent percentage of total value of underlying portfolio company exposure.

 

Maturity Analysis1,2

The Manager does not try to time the market with respect to PPET, instead aiming for consistent exposure across recent vintage years. Therefore, there is an even split of portfolio companies at the underlying level that are approaching maturity (held for more than four years) and companies typically still in the value creation phase (held for less than 4 years). With 50% being in vintages of four years or more 30 September 2023: 49%, this should underpin exit activity and distributions once private equity market activity increases again.

 

Holding Period

%

1 year

9

2 years

18

3 years

23

4 years

12

5 years

13

>5 years

25

 

1 Based on the latest available information from underlying managers. Figures represent percentage of total value of underlying portfolio company exposure.

2 The holding period is the length of time that an underlying portfolio company has been held since its initial investment date by the Company.

 

 

Outlook

The acquisition by Patria has brought renewed energy and certainty to PPET's investment management team, but importantly will not result in any change in PPET's investment strategy. Therefore, our focus remains principally on the European mid-market, and we continue to partner with a small group of leading private equity managers, that we believe are differentiated, specialist and can bring significant value to the businesses they invest in.

 

In line with the current strategic plan, we will continue to look to increase the proportion of direct investments in the PPET portfolio, alongside our core managers, which will reduce the underlying fees PPET pays and should provide a further enhancement in performance. The secondary market remains highly relevant to our approach, both from a buying and selling perspective. We are currently seeing better pricing for high quality assets in the secondary market and we may look to opportunistically realise some older, non-core positions to provide additional firepower for new investments.

 

Private equity market sentiment appears to have improved in 2024 compared to 2023, but we haven't yet seen this translate into a material pick-up in signed transactions and, importantly, exits. We have seen some notable deals being announced in the European market over 2024 (e.g. Alter Domus, Audiotonix, Dorna, Eres Group) and several more rumoured. Furthermore, we have seen European PE-backed IPOs return in the form of Douglas, Renk and Galderma, in addition to the listing of CVC, a leading private equity firm, in Amsterdam.

 

The existing portfolio continues to perform resiliently and remains well positioned for a pick-up in activity levels. Any uptick should result in an increase in distributions to PPET and should be a tailwind to NAV growth, given PE assets tend to trade at an uplift to their last bottom-up valuation.

 

That said, we continue to believe that PPET's balance sheet is in a good place and can withstand a prolonged period of lower activity should financial markets remain subdued.

 

 

Alan Gauld,

Lead Investment Manager

For Patria Capital Partners LLP

21 June 2024

 

TEN LARGEST INVESTMENTS

at 31 March 2024

 

1


CVC Capital Partners


Undertakes medium and large sized buyout transactions across a range of industries and geographies
















Fund Size: €16.4bn
Strategy: Mid to large buyouts
EV of investments: €500m-€5bn
Geography: Europe and North America
Website: www.cvc.com


CVC Capital Partners VII

31/03/24

30/09/23



Value (£'000)

42,531

44,945



Cost (£'000)

24,598

24,898

3.4% of NAV

(30 September 2023: 3.8%)



Commitment (€'000)

35,000

35,000



Amount Funded

100.1%

97.2%



Income (£'000)*

2

1,945












2


Nordic Capital


Invests in medium- to large-sized buyout deals in Northern Europe, through five dedicated sector teams, with the ability to invest in healthcare on a global basis.
















Fund size: €4.3bn
Strategy: Mid to large buyouts
EV of investments: €200m-€800m
Geography: Northern Europe (Global in Healthcare)
Website: www.nordiccapital.com


Nordic Capital Fund IX

31/03/24

30/09/23



Value (£'000)

38,565

37,762



Cost (£'000)

23,403

23,403

3.1% of NAV (30 September 2023: 3.2%)



Commitment (€'000)

30,000

30,000



Amount Funded

106.8%

100.0%



Income (£'000)*

-

-












3


Altor


Focuses on investing in and developing medium-sized companies with a Nordic origin that offer potential for value creation through revenue growth, margin expansion, improved capital management and strategic re-positioning.
















Fund Size: €2.1bn
Strategy: Mid-market buyouts
EV of investments: €50m-€500m
Geography: Northern Europe
Website: www.altor.com


Altor Fund IV

31/03/24

30/09/23



Value (£'000)

37,476

34,954



Cost (£'000)

30,405

29,206

3.0% of NAV (30 September 2023: 2.9%)



Commitment (€'000)

55,000

55,000



Amount Funded

78.7%

76.0%



Income (£'000)*

300

-












4


Structured Solutions IV Primary Holdings


A diversified secondary transaction comprising large cap buyout funds in Europe and the US.
















Fund Size: $125m
Strategy: Various
EV of investments: $500m-$5bn
Geography: Europe and North America
Website: n/a


Structured Solutions IV Primary Holdings

31/03/24

30/09/23



Value (£'000)

35,908

36,687



Cost (£'000)

30,760

31,066

2.9% of NAV (30 September 2023: 3.1%)



Commitment (€'000)

62,500

62,500



Amount Funded

72.6%

72.0%



Income (£'000)*

-

886












5


Bridgepoint


 

A leading mid-market focused private equity firm targeting buyout investments in European companies with strong market positions and earnings growth potential across six core sectors.
















Fund Size: €5.8bn
Strategy: Mid-market buyouts
EV of investments: €200m - €1bn
Geography: Europe

Website: www.bridgepoint.eu


Bridgepoint Europe VI

31/03/24

30/09/23



Value (£'000)

34,873

34,488



Cost (£'000)

23,614

23,707

2.8% of NAV (30 September 2023: 2.9%)



Commitment ($'000)

30,000

30,000



Amount Funded

95.9%

94.4%



Income (£'000)

-

222












6


Advent International


Invests in attractive niches within Business and Financial Services, Healthcare, Industrial, Retail and Technology sectors.
















Fund Size: €13.0bn
Strategy: Mid to large buyouts
EV of investments: $200m-$3bn
Geography: Global with a focus on Europe and North America
Website: www.adventinternational.com


Advent International Global Private Equity VIII

31/03/24

30/09/23



Value (£'000)

33,886

45,051



Cost (£'000)

26,091

27,671

2.7% of NAV (30 September 2023: 3.8%)



Commitment (€'000)

45,000

45,000



Amount Funded

100.0%

100.0%



Income (£'000)*

-

-












7


Altor


Focuses on investing in and developing medium-sized companies often with a Nordic origin and sustainability angle, that offer potential for value creation through revenue growth, margin expansion, improved capital management and strategic re-positioning.
















Fund Size: €2.6bn

Strategy: Mid-market buyouts

EV of investments: €150-€1bn

Geography: Northern Europe

Website: www.altor.com


Altor Fund V

31/03/24

30/09/23



Value (£'000)

32,092

26,706



Cost (£'000)

27,478

23,069

2.6% of NAV (30 September 2023: 2.2%)



Commitment (€'000)

43,000

43,000



Amount Funded

65.2%

53.4%



Income (£'000)*

55

238












8


PAI


Targets upper mid-market businesses in Western Europe, with a particular focus on continental Europe. Typically invests in market leaders across Food and Consumer Goods, Healthcare, Business Services, and Industrials sectors
















Fund Size: €5.1bn
Strategy: Upper Mid-market buyouts
EV of investments: €300m - €1.2bn
Geography: Western Europe

Website: www.paipartners.com


PAI Europe VII

31/03/24

30/09/23



Value (£'000)

30,099

29,681



Cost (£'000)

23,054

22,789

2.4% of NAV (30 September 2023: 2.5%)



Commitment ($'000)

30,000

30,000



Amount Funded

87.6%

86.5%



Income (£'000)

-

-












9


Advent International


Targets high growth, international expansion and strategic restructuring opportunities in five core sectors: Business and Financial Services; Healthcare; Industrial and Energy; Retail, Consumer and Leisure; and Technology.
















Fund Size: $17.5bn
Strategy: Mid to large buyouts
EV of investments: $200m-$3bn
Geography: Primarily Europe and North America
Website: www.adventinternational.com


Advent International Global Private Equity IX

31/03/24

30/09/23



Value (£'000)

28,670

27,262



Cost (£'000)

19,794

19,794

2.3% of NAV (30 September 2023: 2.3%)



Commitment (€'000)

25,000

25,000



Amount Funded

94.1%

94.1%



Income (£'000)*

-

-












10


Action


Since its establishment in 1993, Benelux-based Action has grown into the leading non-food discount retailer in the region with more than 2,300 stores and close to

80,000 employees.
















Fund Size: €2.5bn
Strategy: Consumer staples

Year of investment: 2020

Private Equity Manager: 3i group plc

Investment: co-investment

Geography: Europe and North America

Website: www.action.nl


3i 2020 Co-investment 1 SCSp

31/03/24

30/09/24



Value (£'000)

27,733

26,160



Cost (£'000)

6,380

6,380

2.2% of NAV (30 September 2023: 2.2%)



Commitment ($'000)

7,939

7,939



Amount Funded

100.0%

100.0%



Income (£'000)*

2,211

-













Notes:











* Performance information has been prepared by PPET and has not been approved by the General Partners of the funds or any of their Associates. Income figures are for the six months to 31 March 2024 and 31 March 2023 respectively.

 

The Company's position in Action is held through 3i 2020 Co-investment 1 SCSp (formerly known as 3i Venice SCSp, a special purpose vehicle managed by 3i as co-investment lead.

 

 

INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO

at 31 March 2024

 

Vintage

Investment

Number of investments

Outstanding commitments
£'000*

Cost
£'000

Valuation
£'0001

Net multiple2

% of NAV

2017

CVC Capital Partners VII

31

1,665

24,598

42,531

1.9x

3.5

2018

Nordic Capital Fund IX

13

7,681

23,403

38,565

1.7x

3.2

2014

Altor Fund IV

16

10,047

30,405

37,476

1.8x

3.1

2021

Structured Solutions IV Primary Holdings*

53

13,559

30,760

35,908

1.3x

3.0

2018

Bridgepoint Europe VI

17

1,060

23,614

134,873

1.5x

2.9

2016

Advent International Global Private Equity VIII

27

0

26,091

33,886

1.9x

2.8

2019

Altor Fund V

36

9,530

27,478

32,092

1.3x

2.7

2018

PAI Europe VII

18

4,976

23,054

30,099

1.5x

2.5

2019

Advent International Global Private Equity IX

37

1,273

19,794

28,670

1.5x

2.4

2020

3i 2020 Co-investment 1 SCSp3

1

0

6,380

27,733

4.7x

2.3

2015

Exponent Private Equity Partners III, LP.

10

3,052

19,591

26,203

1.9x

2.2

2019

Triton Fund V*

19

9,731

16,122

25,749

1.5x

2.1

2017

HgCapital 8

8

2,442

6,253

25,597

2.9x

2.1

2016

Sixth Cinven Fund

14

2,520

15,554

24,822

1.9x

2.1

2020

IK IX

14

877

20,584

24,260

1.2x

2.0

2021

IK Partnership II

5

597

21,083

24,260

1.2x

2.0

2020

Cinven 7

17

2,023

19,469

23,403

1.3x

1.9

2020

Nordic Capital X

16

3,790

17,753

23,403

1.3x

1.9

2016

IK Fund VIII

16

2,091

13,113

23,320

1.9x

1.9

2014

CVC VI

22

1,635

14,187

22,905

2.2x

1.9

2020

Investindustrial VII

12

7,043

14,988

22,591

1.5x

1.9

2019

MSouth Equity Partners IV

13

1,407

15,598

22,073

1.4x

1.8

2020

Vitruvian IV

28

2,519

18,747

22,020

1.2x

1.8

2019

American Industrial Partners VII

15

2,930

14,771

20,472

1.5x

1.7

2020

Capiton VI

10

6,522

10,589

18,641

1.8x

1.5

2020

MPI-COI-NAMSA SLP3

1

1,856

5,573

18,439

2.8x

1.5

2021

Arbor Co-Investment LP3

1

0  

8,374

17,011

2.0x

1.4

2014

Permira V

8

719

8,467

16,125

3.5x

1.3

2013

TowerBrook Investors IV

18

10,230

12,233

15,901

2.2x

1.3

2014

PAI Europe VI

12

1,581

9,310

15,857

1.9x

1.3

2022

Uvesco Co-invest3

1

2,178

6,268

15,122

2.2x

1.3

2015

Bridgepoint Europe V

9

2,483

12,123

14,571

2.0x

1.2

2021

Capiton VI Wundex Co-Investment3

1

3,150

5,378

14,526

2.7x

1.2

2021

ECG Co-invest SLP*,3

1

- 3

6,920

14,479

2.1x

1.2

2021

Excellere Partners Fund IV

4

15,225

12,684

14,303

1.1x

1.2

2020

Hg Genesis 9

12

3,086

9,773

13,586

1.3x

1.1

2015

Equistone Partners Europe Fund V

10

1,639

16,842

13,363

1.6x

1.1

2020

Seidler Equity Partners VII L.P.

7

1,075

13,048

13,284

1.1x

1.1

2020

PAI Mid-Market I

7

10,134

11,280

13,281

1.2x

1.1

2019

PAI Strategic Partnerships SCSp

2

119

6,659

13,251

2.0x

1.1

2020

Hg Saturn 2

7

3,012

8,947

13,113

1.4x

1.1

2021

Advent Technology II-A

11

14,587

10,648

13,018

1.2x

1.1

2020

Triton Smaller Mid-Cap Fund II*

8

10,190

11,163

12,969

1.2x

1.1

2013

Nordic Capital VIII

22

2,753

17,719

11,928

1.5x

1.0

2021

MI NGE S.L.P.3

1

825

8,153

11,450

1.4x

1.0

2022

Advent International Global Private Equity X

13

15,006

10,840

11,389

1.1x

0.9

2021

Hg Isaac Co-Invest LP3

1

40

7,571

11,180

1.5x

0.9

2019

Great Hill Partners VII

18

328

8,213

11,130

1.5x

0.9

2020

Hg Mercury 3

11

3,133

7,489

10,850

1.4x

0.9

2021

MPI-COI-PROLLENIUM SLP3

1

1,395

7,147

10,563

1.5x

0.9

2019

Vitruvian I CF LP

8

7,782

7,227

10,186

1.3x

0.8

2021

Eurazeo Payment Luxembourg Fund SCSp3

1

1,074

7,798

10,008

1.3x

0.8

2021

Nordic Capital Evolution Fund

8

16,872

8,899

10,007

1.1x

0.8

2017

Onex Partners IV LP

7

568

10,228

9,775

1.4x

0.8

2022

Hg Saturn 3

2

18,665

9,161

9,548

1.0x

0.8

2021

IK Co-invest Questel3

1

0  

8,658

9,366

1.1x

0.8

2023

One Peak Co-invest III LP3

1

0  

9,434

9,257

1.0x

0.8

2020

Vitruvian III

26

1,020

5,112

8,845

2.2x

0.7

2016

Astorg VI

5

1,570

205

8,776

1.7x

0.7

2021

VIP SIV I LP3

1

3,330

5,670

8,562

1.5x

0.7

2023

Maguar Continuation Fund I GmbH & Co. KG3

1

930

6,767

8,209

1.2x

0.7

2021

WindRose Health Investors Fund VI

6

9,052

7,222

8,145

1.1x

0.7

2020

Hg Vardos Co-invest L.P.3

1

0  

4,244

8,021

1.9x

0.7

2021

CDL Coinvestment SPV3

1

0  

5,294

7,666

1.4x

0.6

2021

Hg Riley Co-Invest LP3

1

0  

6,836

7,382

1.1x

0.6

2021

Bengal Co-Invest SCSp3

1

2,436

6,198

7,304

1.2x

0.6

2021

MPI-COI-SUAN SLP3

1

37

6,402

7,210

1.1x

0.6

2024

Latour Co-Invest EDG3

1

2,022

6,963

6,946

1.0x

0.6

2021

Latour Co-invest Funecap*,3

1

0  

4,287

6,801

1.4x

0.6

2018

Investindustrial Growth

3

5,831

9,559

6,700

2.3x

0.6

2021

Permira Growth Opportunities II

11

19,093

9,594

6,693

0.7x

0.6

2023

Procemsa Build-Up SCSp3

1

2,760

4,530

6,470

1.4x

0.5

2023

IK IX Luxco 15 S.a.r.l.3

1

0  

5,247

6,254

1.2x

0.5

2019

Alphaone International S.à.r.l.3

1

1,693

3,522

6,091

1.7x

0.5

2021

bd-capital Partners Chase3

1

0 

4,291

6,028

1.4x

0.5

2023

Capiton Quantum GmbH & Co

2

720

3,857

5,642

1.5x

0.5

2015

Nordic Capital VII

8

1,513

10,486

5,297

1.4x

0.4

2022

Leviathan Holdings, L.P.3

1

0 

4,866

5,281

1.1x

0.4

2022

Hg Genesis 10

2

20,853

4,835

5,072

1.0x

0.4

2021

Nordic Capital WH1 Beta, L.P.3

1

387

3,308

4,299

1.2x

0.4

2022

Nordic Capital Fund XI

6

20,669

4,979

4,244

0.9x

0.4

2012

Equistone Partners Europe Fund IV

6

485

8,762

4,000

2.1x

0.3

2021

ASI Omega Holdco Limited3

1

17

4,259

3,977

0.9x

0.3

2022

ArchiMed - Med Platform 2

3

21,248

4,298

3,879

0.9x

0.3

2022

Investindustrial Growth III

2

21,795

3,905

3,554

0.9x

0.3

2024

Exponent Herriot Co-Investment Partners, LP3

1

830

3,444

3,441

1.0x

0.3

2021

ArchiMed III

5

9,128

3,756

3,340

0.9x

0.3

2023

Latour Co-invest Funecap II*,3

1

0 

2,952

2,856

1.0x

0.2

2022

AV Invest B3*,3

1

211

4,887

2,842

0.6x

0.2

2015

Capiton V

9

161

7,324

2,810

0.8x

0.2

2022

One Peak Growth III

6

9,667

3,201

2,739

0.9x

0.2

2021

Great Hill Equity Partners VIII

5

12,302

3,585

2,733

0.8x

0.2

2022

Altor Fund VI

6

23,510

2,129

2,595

1.2x

0.2

2023

ECG 2 Co-Invest S.L.P.*,3

1

513

2,132

2,493

1.2x

0.2

2012

Advent International Global Private Equity VII

18

811

4,957

2,187

2.1x

0.2

2001

CVC III*

1

412

4,110

1,894

2.7x

0.2

2012

IK Fund VII

6

1,707

5,871

1,842

2.0x

0.2

2013

Bridgepoint Europe IV

4

773

2,900

1,676

1.6x

0.1

2011

Montagu IV

4

657

4,771

1,452

1.8x

0.1

2022

PAI Europe VIII

7

23,676

1,955

1,415

0.7x

0.1

2022

American Industrial Partners V

6

32

1,327

1,356

1.4x

0.1

2023

Vitruvian V

2

23,755

1,876

1,241

0.7x

0.1

2008

CVC V*

1

426

4,310

852

2.4x

0.1

2019

Gilde Buy-Out Fund IV

1

0  

2,262

497

1.2x

0.0

2006

3i Eurofund V

0

0  

9,282

369

2.7x

0.0

2023

Montefiore Investment VI

1

16,571

515

175

0.3x

0.0

2007

Industri Kapital 2007 Fund

0

1,483

5,545

93

1.4x

0.0

2023

Montefiore Expansion I

0

8,285

258

92

0.0x

0.0

2023

Latour Capital IV

1

24,933

715

62

0.1x

0.0

2024

Altor ACT I (No. 1) AB

0

12,597

215

35

0.2x

0.0

2023

Hg Mercury 4

1

25,341

288

-  

0.0x

0.0

2023

Seidler Equity Partners VIII, L.P.

0

15,594

247

-  

0.0x

0.0

2023

IK X Fund

0

25,625

-  

-  

n/a

0.0

2024

Bowmark Capital Partners VII, L.P.

0

25,000

-  

-  

n/a

0.0

2024

MED BIO FPCI

0

8,883

-  

-  

n/a

0.0

2024

Hg Vega Co-Invest L.P.3

0

4,749

-  

-  

n/a

0.0










Total investments5

867

663,768

1,018,518

1,319,063

 

109.0


Non-portfolio assets less liabilities

 

 

 

(115,352)

 

(9.0)


Total shareholders' funds

 

 

 

1,203,711

 

100.0









 

1. All funds are valued by the manager of the relevant fund or co-investment as at 31 March 2024, with the exception of those funds suffixed with an * which were valued as at 31 December 2023 or initial funding amount paid.

2. The net multiple has been calculated by the Manager in sterling on the basis of the total realised and unrealised return for the interest held in each fund and co‑investments. These figures have not been reviewed or approved by the relevant fund or its manager.

3. Co-investment position.

4. New commitment for which an underlying company has yet to be acquired.

5. The 867 underlying investments represent holdings in 714 separate underlying private companies, 44 underlying fund investments and 9 underlying co-investments.

 

 

CONDENSED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (UNAUDITED)

 

For the six months ended 31 March 2024

 

 

 

For the six months ended 31 March 2024

For the six months ended 31 March 2023


Notes

Revenue

Capital

Total

Revenue

Capital

Total



£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

Total capital gains on investments


-

27,134

27,134

-

37,688

37,688

Currency gains / (losses)


-

1,241

1,241

-

(396)

(396)

Income

4

5,001

-

5,001

6,357

-

6,357

Investment management fee

5

(286)

(5,424)

(5,710)

(278)

(5,291)

(5,569)

Administrative expenses


(641)

-

(641)

(568)

-

(568)

Profit before finance costs and taxation


4,074

22,951

27,025

5,511

32,001

37,512

Finance costs


(218)

(3,800)

(4,018)

(136)

(2,411)

(2,547)

Profit before taxation


3,856

19,151

23,007

5,375

29,590

34,965

Taxation

7

(707)

31

(676)

(911)

373

(538)

Profit after taxation


3,149

19,182

22,331


4,464

29,963

Earnings per share - basic and diluted

7

2.05p

12.51p

14.56p


2.90p

19.49p









The Total columns of this statement represents the profit and loss account of the Company.

There are no items of other comprehensive income, therefore this statement is the single statement of comprehensive income of the Company.

All revenue and capital items in the above statement are derived from continuing operations.

No operations were acquired or discontinued in the period.

 

 

CONDENSED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION (UNAUDITED)

As at 31 March 2024

 

 

 

As at

As at

 


31 March 2024

30 September 2023


Notes

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

Non-current assets

 

 

 

 


Investments

8

 

1,319,063


1,261,995




1,319,063

 

1,261,995

Current assets



 

 


Receivables


156


30,117


Cash and cash equivalents


27,444


9,436


Total current assets


27,600

 

39,553


 

 

 

 

 

 

Creditors: amounts falling due within one year


 




Payables


(7,432)


(5,022)


Revolving credit facility

10

(135,520)

 

(100,883)


Net current liabilities

 

 

(115,352)

 

(66,352)

 

 

 

 

 


Total assets less current liabilities

 

 

1,203,711


1,195,643







Capital and reserves






Called-up share capital



307


307

Share premium account



86,485


86,485

Special reserve



51,503


51,503

Capital redemption reserve



94


94

Capital reserves

 

 

1,065,322

 

1,057,254

Revenue reserve

 

 

-

 

-

Total shareholders' funds


 

1,203,711


1,195,643

 



 

 

 

Net asset value per equity share

9


784.9p

 

777.7p

 



 

 

 

 



 

 

 













The Financial Statements of Patria Private Equity Opportunities Trust plc (formerly known as abrdn Private Equity Opportunities Trust plc), registered number SC216638 were approved and authorised for issue by the Board of Directors on 21 June 2024 and were signed on its behalf by Alan Devine, Chair.                                                                                      

                                                                                               


 

CONDENSED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY (UNAUDITED)

 

For the six months ended 31 March 2024

 

 

Called-up

 

Share

 

 

Capital

 

 

 



share

premium

Special

redemption

Capital

Revenue

 



 capital

 account

reserve

 reserve

reserves

 reserve

 Total

 

Notes

 £'000

 £'000

 £'000

 £'000

 £'000

 £'000

 £'000

Balance at 1 October 2023

 

307

86,485

51,503

94

1,057,254

-

1,195,643

Profit after taxation


-

-

-

-

19,182

3,149

22,331

Dividends paid

6

-

-

-

-

(9,150)

(3,149)

(12,299)

Repurchase of shares into treasury


-

-

-

-

(1,964)

-

(1,964)

Balance at 31 March 2024


307

86,485

51,503

94

1,065,322

-

1,203,711

 

 








For the six months ended 31 March 2023







 

 

Called-up

 

Share

 

 

Capital

 

 

 

 

 

 share

premium

Special

redemption

Capital

Revenue

 

 

 

capital

account

reserve

reserve

reserves

reserve

Total

 

Notes

 £'000

 £'000

 £'000

 £'000

 £'000

 £'000

 £'000

Balance at 1 October 2022

 

307

86,485

51,503

94

1,019,663

-

1,158,052

Profit after taxation


-

-

-

-

29,963

4,464

34,427

Dividends paid

6

-

-

-

-

(6,605)

(4,464)

(11,069)

Balance at 31 March 2023


307

86,485

51,503

94

1,043,021

-

1,181,410


 

CONDENSED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)

 






For the six months

For the six months



ended 31 March 2024

ended 31 March 2023


Notes

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

Cashflows from operating activities

 

 

 



Profit before taxation



23,007


34,965

Adjusted for:



 



Finance costs



4,018


2,547

Gains on disposal of investments

8


(30,876)


(39,321)

Revaluation of investments



3,653


1,430

Unrealised currency (gains) / losses on non-investments



(932)


396

Decrease / (increase) in debtors



234


(51)

Increase in creditors



2,412


193

Tax deducted from non-UK income



(676)


(538)

Net cash inflow / (outflow) from operating activities

 

 

840

 

(379)

 

 

 

 



Investing activities

 

 

 



Purchase of investments

8

(86,940)


(100,594)


Purchase of secondary investments


-


(3,857)


Distributions of capital proceeds received by investments

8

57,095


78,064


Net distributions receivable from investments


-


249


Receipt of proceeds from disposal of investments


30,040

 

-


Net cash outflow from investing activities

 

 

195


(26,138)

 

 

 

 



Financing activities

 

 

 



Revolving credit facility - amounts drawn

 

53,215

 

30,813


Revolving credit facility - amounts repaid

 

(17,729)

 

-


Interest paid and arrangement fees

 

(4,000)

 

(3,273)


Ordinary dividends paid

6

(12,299)


(11,069)


Repurchase of shares into treasury

9

(1,964)

-

-

-

Net cash inflow from financing activities


 

17,223


16,471

 

 

 

 



Net increase / (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

 

18,258


(10,046)







Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period



9,436


30,341

Currency gains / (losses) on cash and cash equivalents

 

 

(250)

 

(396)

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period

 

 

27,444


19,899

 

 





 

 

 

 



Cash and cash equivalents consist of:






Cash

 

 

27,444

 

19,899

Cash and cash equivalents


 

27,444


19,899







Included in profit before taxation is dividends received from investments of £3,733,000 (2023: £3,139,000), interest received from investments of £918,000 (2023: £2,937,000) and interest received from cash balances.


 

 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

 

1  Financial Information 

The financial information for the year ended 30 September 2023 within the report is considered non-statutory as defined in sections 434-436 of the Companies Act 2006. The financial information for the six months ended 31 March 2024 and 31 March 2023 has not been audited. The financial information for the year ended 30 September 2023 has been extracted from the published accounts that have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies and on which the report of the auditor was unqualified under section 498 of the Companies Act 2006.                                     


2. Basis of preparation and going concern

The condensed financial statements for the six months ended 31 March 2024 have been prepared in accordance with Financial Reporting Standard 104 (Interim Financial Reporting) and with the Statement of Recommended Practice for 'Financial Statements of Investment Trust Companies and Venture Capital Trusts'.             

                               

The condensed financial statements for the six months ended 31 March 2024 have been prepared using the same accounting policies as the preceding annual financial statements. This is available at www.patriaprivateequitytrust.com or on request from the Company Secretary.

 

The Board have made an assessment of the Company's ability to continue as a going concern and are satisfied that the Company has the resources to continue in business for a period of at least 12 months from the date of these condensed financial statements. In preparing these condensed financial statements, the Board have considered:

 

·      the remaining undrawn balance of the £300.0 million committed, syndicated revolving credit facility with a maturity date in December 2025;

·      the level of cash balances. The Manager regularly monitors the Company's cash position to ensure sufficient cash is held to meet liabilities as they fall due;

·      the future cash flow projections (including the level of expected realisation proceeds, the expected future profile of investment commitments and the terms of the revolving credit facility); and

·      the Company's cash flows during the period.

 

Based on a review of the above, the Directors are satisfied that the Company has, and will maintain, sufficient resources to continue to meet its liabilities as they fall due for at least 12 months from the date of approval of the condensed financial statements. Accordingly, the condensed financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis.

 


3.  Exchange rates

Rates of exchange to sterling were:




As at 31 March 2024

As at 30 September 2023

Euro

1.1708

1.1528

US Dollar

1.2633

1.2206

Canadian Dollar

1.7108

1.6502

 

 


Six months ended

Six months ended



31 March 2024

31 March 2023

4.

Income

£'000

£'000


Income from investments

3,734

3,139


Interest from investments

918

2,937


Interest from cash balances

349

281


Total income

5,001

6,357


 

 


Six months ended 31 March 2024

Six months ended 31 March 2023



Revenue

Capital

Total

Revenue

Capital

Total

5

Investment management fees

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000



 

 

 





Investment management fee

286

5,424

5,710

278

5,291

5,569










The Manager of the Company is Patria Capital Partners LLP (formerly known as abrdn Capital Partners LLP). In order to comply with the Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive, the Company appointed Patria Capital Partners LLP as its Alternative Investment Fund Manager from 1 July 2014.          










The investment management fee payable to the Manager is 0.95% per annum of the NAV of the Company. The investment management fee is allocated 95% to the realised capital reserve - gains/(losses) on disposal and 5% to the revenue account. The management agreement between the Company and the Manager is terminable by either party on twelve months written notice.




Investment management fees due to the Manager as at 31 March 2024 amounted to £6,448,000 (30 September 2023: £3,943,000).



 

6  Dividend on ordinary shares

For the financial period ending 31 March 2024, the first interim dividend of 4.20p per ordinary share was paid on 26 April 2024 (2023: dividend of 4.0p was paid on 21 April 2023). A second interim dividend of 4.20p per share is due to be paid on 26 July 2024 (2023: dividend of 4.0p was paid on 28 July 2023).

 

In respect of the year ended 30 September 2023, the third interim dividend of 4.0p per ordinary share was paid on 27 October 2023 (2022: dividend of 3.6p per ordinary share paid on 28 October 2022). The fourth interim dividend of 4.0p per ordinary share was then paid on 26 January 2024 (2023: dividend of 3.6p per ordinary share paid on 27 January 2023).

 

 

 

Six months ended

Six months ended



31 March 2024

31 March 2023

7

Earnings per share - basic and diluted

p

£'000

p

£'000


The net return per ordinary share is based on the following figures:






Revenue net return

2.05

 3,149

2.90

4,464


Capital net return

12.51

19,182

19.49

29,963


Total net return

14.56

22,331

34,427








Weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue:


153,746,294


153,746,294








There are no diluting elements to the earnings per share calculation in the six months ended 31 March 2024 (2023: none).

 

 

8

Investments

Six months

ended 31 March 2024

Unquoted Investments

Year ended

30 September 2023 Unquoted Investments

 

 

£'000

£'000

 

Fair value through profit or loss:

 

 


Opening market value

1,261,995 

1,192,380 


Opening investment holding gains

(304,198)

(346,062)


Opening book cost

957,797 

846,318 





 

Movements in the period/year:

 

 


Additions at cost

86,940 

189,446


Secondary purchases

-

3,857


Distribution of capital proceeds

(57,095)

(141,555)


Secondary sales

-

(52,995)



987,642 

845,071 


Gains on disposal of underlying investments

30,876 

112,726


Closing book cost

1,018,518 

957,797 


Closing investment holding gains

300,545 

304,198 


Closing market value

1,319,063 

1,261,995 






The total capital gain on investments of £27,134,000 (2023: £37,688,000) per the Condensed Statement of Comprehensive Income for the six months ended 31 March 2024 also includes transaction costs of £114,000 (2023: £204,000).

 

 

9

Net asset value per equity share

As at 31 March 2024

As at 31 March 2023

 

Basic and diluted:

 

 


Ordinary shareholders' funds

£1,203,710,699

£1,195,643,000


Number of ordinary shares in issue

 153,746,294

 153,746,294


Number of shares excluding those held in treasury

 153,360,803

 153,746,294


Net asset value per ordinary share

784.9p

777.7p






The net asset value per ordinary share and the ordinary shareholders' funds are calculated in accordance with the Company's articles of association.


There are no diluting elements to the net asset value per equity share calculation in the six months ended 31 March 2024 (2023: none).

The Company repurchased 385,491 (2023: none) of its own ordinary shares during the six months ended 31 March 2024 which are held in treasury.

 

 

 

10

Revolving credit facility

As at 31 March 2024

As at 30 September 2023

 

 

£'000

£'000

 

Revolving credit facility

135,520

100,883 






At 31 March 2024, the Company had a £300.0 million committed, multicurrency syndicated revolving credit facility, of which £136.7 million (30 September 2023: £102.4 million) had been drawn down. The faciltiy is provided by The Royal Bank of Scotland International Limited, Société Générale and State Street Bank International GmbH. The facility expires in December 2025.


The interest rate on the facility is calculated as the defined reference rate of the currency drawn plus 1.625% rising to 2.0% depending on the level of utlisation, whilst the commitment fee rate payable on non-utilisation is between 0.7% and 0.8% per annum based on the level of facility utilisation.


Inclusive of the revolving credit facility balance is £1,135,000 of unamortised revolving credit facility fees which partially offsets the total amount of the facility balance drawn as at 31 March 2024 (2023: £1,475,000).

 

 

11

Commitments and contingent liabilities

As at 31 March 2024

As at 30 September 2023

 

 

£'000

£'000

 

Outstanding calls on investments

663,768 

651,991 






This represents commitments made to fund and co-investment interests remaining undrawn.

 

 

12. Fair Value hierarchy

FRS 104 requires an entity to classify fair value measurements using a fair value hierarchy that reflects the significance of the inputs used in making the measurements. The fair value hierarchy has the following classifications:

 

•       Level 1: The unadjusted quoted price in an active market for identical assets or liabilities that the entity can access at the measurement date.

•       Level 2: Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable (i.e., developed using market data) for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly.

•       Level 3: Inputs are unobservable (i.e., for which market data is unavailable) for the asset or liability.

 

The Company's financial assets and liabilities, measured at fair value in the Condensed Statement of Financial Position, are grouped into the following fair value hierarchy at 31 March 2024:

 

 

Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss

Level 1

£'000

Level 2

£'000

Level 3

£'000

Total

£'000


Unquoted investments

-

-

1,319,063

1,319,063


Net fair value

-

-

1,319,063

1,319,063








As at 30 September 2023::


 



 

Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss

Level 1

£'000

Level 2

£'000

Level 3

£'000

Total

£'000


Unquoted investments

-

-

1,261,995

1,261,995


Net fair value

-

-

1,261,995

1,261,995

 

Unquoted Investments

Unquoted investments are stated at the directors' estimate of fair value and follow the recommendations of the EVCA and the BVCA (European Private Equity & Venture Capital Association and British Private Equity & Venture Capital Association). The estimate of fair value is normally the latest valuation placed on an investment by its manager as at the Condensed Statement of Financial Position date. The valuation policies used by the manager in undertaking that valuation will generally be in line with the joint publication from the EVCA and the BVCA, 'International Private Equity and Venture Capital Valuation guidelines'. Fair value can be calculated by the manager of the investment in a number of ways. In general, the managers with whom the Company invests adopt a valuation approach which applies an appropriate comparable listed company multiple to a private company's earnings or by reference to recent transactions. Where formal valuations are not completed as at the Condensed Statement of Financial Position date, the last available valuation from the manager is adjusted for any subsequent cash flows occurring between the valuation date and the Condensed Statement of Financial Position date. The Company's Manager may further adjust such valuations to reflect any changes in circumstances from the last manager's formal valuation date to arrive at the estimate of fair value.

 

13. Parent undertaking and related party transactions

The ultimate parent undertaking of the Company is Phoenix Group Holdings. The results of the Company are incorporated into the group financial statements of Phoenix Group Holdings, which will be available to download from the website www.thephoenixgroup.com.

 

Phoenix Life Limited ('PLL', which is 100% owned by Phoenix Group Holdings), and the Company have entered into a relationship agreement which provides that, for so long as PLL and its Associates exercise, or control the exercise, of 30% or more of the voting rights of the Company, PLL and its Associates, will not seek to enter into any transaction or arrangement with the Company which is not conducted at arm's length and on normal commercial terms, take any action that would have the effect of preventing the Company from carrying on an independent business as its main activity or from complying with its obligations under the Listing Rules or propose or procure the proposal of any shareholder resolution which is intended or appears to be intended to circumvent the proper application of the Listing Rules. During the year ended 31 March 2024, PLL received dividends from the Company totalling £6,590,000

(31 March 2023: £5,931,000).

 

During the period ended 31 March 2024 the Manager charged management fees totalling £5,710,000 (31 March 2023: £5,569,000) to the Company in the normal course of business. The balance of management fees outstanding at 31 March 2024 was £6,448,000 (30 September 2023: £3,943,000).

 

abrdn Investment Management Limited, which shared the same ultimate parent as the Manager during the period ended 31 March 2024, received fees for the provision of promotional activities of £30,000 (31 March 2023: £29,000) during the period. The balance of promotional fees outstanding at 31 March 2024 was £Nil (30 September 2023: £89,000)

 

abrdn Holdings Limited, which shared the same ultimate parent as the Manager during the period ended 31 March 2024, received fees for the provision of Company Secretarial services of £42,000 (31 March 2023: £36,000) during the period. The balance of secretarial fees outstanding at 31 March 2024 was £21,000 (30 September 2023: payable of £89,000).

 

No other related party transactions were undertaken during the six months ended 31 March 2024.

 

Further to the public announcement on 23 October 2023, abrdn plc as the former ultimate beneficial owner of the Manager completed the sale of its European Private Equity business to Nasdaq-listed Patria Investments on 29 April 2024. The announcement of and subsequent sale of the Manager of the Company has no impact on the Interim Financial Statements.

 

Following the sale transaction, abrdn Holdings Limited will no longer provide Company Secretarial services to the Company. These services, with effect from 29 April 2024, are provided by GPMS Corporate Secretary Limited, which shares the same ultimate parent as the Manager.

 

 

 

ALTERNATIVE PERFORMANCE MEASURES

Alternative performance measures ("APMs") are numerical measures of the Company's current, historical or future performance, financial position or cash flows, other than financial measures defined or specified in the applicable financial framework. The Company's applicable financial framework includes FRS 102 and the Association of Investment Companies ("AIC") SORP.

 

In selecting these APMs, the Directors considered the key objectives and expectations of typical investors in an investment trust such as PPET.

 

Annualised NAV Total Return

Annualised NAV Total Return is calculated as the return of the Net Asset Value ("NAV") per share compounded on a quarterly basis, based on reported NAV per share from inception to 30 September 2023. NAV Total Return is inclusive of all dividends received since inception and assumes all dividends are reinvested at the time they are received and generate the same return as NAV per share during each reporting period. Assuming dividends are not reinvested results in a annualised NAV total return of 10.4% since inception.

 

Discount

The amount by which the market price per share is lower than the net asset value ("NAV") per share of an investment trust. The discount is normally expressed as a percentage of the NAV per share.

 

 

 

As at

31 March
2024

As at

30 September
2023

Share price (p)

a

535.0

442.0

Net Asset Value per share (p)

b

784.9

777.7

Discount (%)

c = (b-a) / b

31.8

43.2

 

Dividend yield

The total dividend per Ordinary share in respect of the financial year divided by the share price, expressed as a percentage, calculated at the year end date of the Company.

 

 

As at 30 September 2023

As at 30 September 2022

Dividend per share (p)

a

16.0

14.1

Share price (p)

b

442.0

410.0

Dividend yield (%)

c=(a/b)

3.6

3.5

NAV total return

NAV TR shows how the NAV has performed over a period of time in percentage terms, taking into account both capital returns and dividends paid to shareholders. This involves reinvesting the net dividend into the NAV at the end of the quarter in which the shares go ex-dividend. Returns are calculated to each quarter end in the year and then the total return for the year is derived from the product of these individual returns.

 

 

NAV (p)

NAV per share (p) as at 30 September 2023

a

777.7

NAV per share (p) as at 31 March 2024

b

784.9

Price Movement

c=(b/a)-1

0.9%

Dividend Reinvestment 1

d

1.1%

NAV Total return

e=c+d

2.0%

1 NAV total return assumes investing the dividend in the NAV of the Company on the date on which that dividend goes ex-dividend.

 

Ongoing charges ratio/ expense ratio

The ongoing charges ratio is calculated as management fees and all other recurring operating expenses that are payable by the Company, excluding the costs of purchasing and selling investments, performance fees, finance costs, taxation, non-recurring costs, and the costs of any share buyback transactions, expressed as a percentage of the average NAV during the period. The ratio also includes an allocation of the look-through expenses of the Company's underlying investments, excluding performance-related fees.

The ongoing charges ratio has been calculated in accordance with the applicable guidance issued by the AIC.

 

Six months ended

31 March 2024

£'000

Year ended

30 September 2023

£'000

Investment management fee

a

5,710

11,213

Administrative expenses

b

641

1,234

Ongoing charges *

c=a+b

12,701

12,447

Average net assets

d

1,199,971

1,175,937

Expense ratio

e=c/d

1.06%

1.06%

Look-through expenses +

f

1.78%

1.78%

Ongoing charges ratio

g=e+f

2.84%

2.84%

* The interim ongoing charges figure above is calculated using actual costs and charges to 31 March 2024 annualised for the full financial year.

 

+ The look-through expenses represent an allocation of the management fees and other expenses charged by the underlying investments held in the portfolio of the Company. Performance related fees, such as carried interest, are excluded from this figure. This is calculated over a five year historic average, and is recalculated on an annual basis based on the previous calendar year.

 

Over-commitment ratio

Outstanding commitments less cash and cash equivalents and the value of undrawn loan facilities divided by portfolio NAV.

 

Six months ended

31 March 2024
£000s

Year ended
30 September 2023
£000s

Undrawn Commitments

a

663,768

651,991

Less undrawn loan facility

b

(163,336)

(197,720)

Less resources available for investment

c

(27,444)

(9,436)

Net outstanding commitments

d=a-b-c

472,988

444,805

Portfolio NAV

e

1,319,063

1,261,995

Over-commitment ratio

f=d/e

35.9%

35.2%

 

Share price total return

The theoretical return derived from reinvesting each dividend in additional shares in the Company on the day that the share price goes ex-dividend.

Date

 


Share price

Share price (p) as at 30 September 2023

a

442.0

Share price (p) as at 31 March 2024

b

535.0

Price Movement (%)

c=(b/a)-1

21.0%

Dividend Reinvestment (%) 1

d

1.9%

NAV Total return (%)

e=c+d

22.9%

1  Share price total return assumes reinvesting the dividend in the share price of the Company on the date on which that dividend goes ex-dividend.

 

 

For Patria Private Equity Trust plc

GPMS Corporate Secretary Limited, Company Secretary

 

For further information, please contact:

Patria Private Equity Trust plc


Alan Devine (Chair)

 

via SEC Newgate

 

The Manager & Company Secretary


Alan Gauld (Lead Investment Manager)

Amber Sarafilovic (Marketing & IR)

Paul Evitt (Company Secretary)

 

via SEC Newgate

via SEC Newgate

via SEC Newgate

SEC Newgate


Sally Walton

 

+44 (0)20 3757 6872

ppet@secnewgate.co.uk

 

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