Report

UK plc ‘going for a song’

Being a shareholder in a company that receives a juicy takeover offer is a marvellous feeling. Something that many fortunate investors have experienced over the past 3 years. Thanks to a spate of M&A bids by deep pocketed overseas buyers - partly triggered by the June 2016 Brexit result, which sent the £ tumbling and adversely affected the FTSE.

Consequently today, given this trend is unlikely to end anytime soon, we’ve highlighted 30 possible acquisition ideas in the attached research paper. Spilt equally between large and smallcap stocks – covering a broad selection of industries.

What’s more we believe most of these businesses are underpinned by strong fundamentals and substantial upside in the event of predatory interest.

According to Factset Mergerstat/BVR, the average bid premium paid for such deals between 2004-14 was 30% - with the figure trending upwards since the global financial crisis. Happy investing.
Underlyings
Blancco Technology Group

Blancco Technology Group provides data erasure software. Co.'s segments are: Erasure, which enables customers to erase and repurpose IT devices with certified software; and Diagnostics, which provides diagnostics of smartphones and tablets, as well as new diagnostics tools. The erasure division focuses on development and delivery of solutions, includes: Blancco, a provider of data erasure software; SafeIT, which involved in cloud and networked data erasure; and Tabernus, which provides software erasure products. The diagnostics division consists of the Mobile Diagnostics business, comprising Xcaliber Technologies, a smartphone diagnostics software business and its SmartChk solution.

Eleco

Elecosoft is a provider of integrated software applications and related services to international architectural, engineering and construction marketplaces and property management industries. Co. develops its specialist software through its own development teams in Sweden, Germany and the UK. Co. services its customers directly in its primary markets of Sweden, Germany, Benelux, the U.S and the U.K and indirectly to its non-core markets through a network of channel partners.

Gattaca

Gattaca is an engineering and technology recruitment solutions company. Co. operates in the STEM markets (science, technology, engineering and maths), all sectors with skills shortages. Co. has three reporting segments, Engineering, Technology and International. Co.'s brands are Matchtech, an engineering recruitment specialist; Networkers, a technology recruitment specialist; Cappo, Provanis, Barclay Meade, a professional services brand, recruiting finance, procurement, sales and HR professionals., and Alderwood, which is involved in placing trainers and assessors with training providers throughout the U.K. and the Middle East.

Kromek Group

Kromek Group is a developer of radiation detectors based on cadmium zinc telluride, providing detection and characterization capabilities within the medical imaging, nuclear detection and security screening markets. Co. designs, develops and produces x-ray and gamma-ray imaging and radiation detection products.

Northbridge Industrial Services

Northbridge Industrial Services is engaged in the sales and hire of industrial equipment on a global basis for use in applications in the oil and gas, shipping, construction, and power and utility sectors. Co. has two main reportable segments: Crestchic loadbanks and transformers, which is involved in the manufacture, hire and sale of loadbanks and transformers; and Tasman oil tools and loadcells, which is involved in the hire and sale of oil tools and loadcells.

Rosslyn Data Technologies

Rosslyn Data Technologies is engaged in the development and provision of data analytics software. Co. develops and commercializes its customer-centric cloud data platform, RAPid. RAPid extracts, integrates and synchronizes data from sources. RAPid then transforms and enriches this data, providing the user with tools to build charts, tables and apps in order to visualize the information and deliver insight. This is all performed over a secure cloud connection, giving access from mobile, laptop or tablet.

Provider
Equity Development
Equity Development

​Equity Development enables companies to become better understood and supported by investors. Since our launch in 1996 we have consistently focused on helping our clients improve their communication and relationships with both existing and potential shareholders. Our clients have come from a wide variety of sectors and domiciles, are both private and quoted and range in size from micro-cap to $multi-billions. We offer free access to company research notes written by experienced analysts. These notes include detailed forecasts, financial models and a fair value. We host regular Private Investor Forums at which investors have the opportunity to hear company directors present, and to ask questions. These are free to attend. We broadcast live Webinars with company management that include active Q&A. We also make the recordings available online. We arrange face to face meetings between private investors and company management. We are active users of Twitter, commenting daily on company news, share price moves, Directors’ Dealings, Equity Development Research Notes & Events.

Analysts
Paul Hill

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