Report
Richard Williamson

Mercia Asset Management - Huge stride towards an evergreen model

In parallel with its H120 interim results, Mercia has announced the acquisition of NVM’s VCT business for up to £25m in cash and equity, funded by a £30m placing at 25p per share (a 22% discount). Subject to shareholder approval, the acquisition increases AUM to £760m and moves Mercia towards being the UK’s number one regional investor. The deal expands Mercia’s shareholder register, further dilutes existing major shareholders and means Mercia should be profitable before fair value adjustments, closer to its target of an evergreen model (c £1bn AUM). In its H120 results, Mercia’s direct investment portfolio increased to £102.0m, with £11.1m of cash invested in 16 companies and a fair value uplift of £3.2m. Mercia has £17.8m of unrestricted balance sheet cash (pre-placing) and the shares continue to trade at a significant discount to NAV.
Underlying
Mercia Asset Management

Mercia Technologies is an investment group focused on the creation/identification, funding and scaling of technology businesses from the U.K. regions. Co. directly invests across four sectors: Software & the Internet, which consists of cyber security, software as a service analytical tool, Adtech and artificial intelligence; Digital & Digital Entertainment, which consists of virtual reality, augmented reality, mixed reality and serious games; Electronics, Materials & Manufacturing/Engineering, which consists of energy and communications, value electronics, and manufacturing applications; and Life Sciences & Biosciences, which consists of diagnostics, digital health and medical devices.

Provider
Edison Investment Research
Edison Investment Research

Edison is an investment research and advisory company, with offices in North America, Europe, the Middle East and AsiaPac. The heart of Edison is our world renowned equity research platform and deep multi-sector expertise. At Edison Investment Research, our research is widely read by international investors, advisors and stakeholders. Edison Advisors leverages our core research platform to provide differentiated services including investor relations and strategic consulting.

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Analysts
Richard Williamson

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