Report
Paul Bryant

AUM and forecasts up, stellar returns, positive flows

AUM jumped £2.3bn (+12%) over Q4 of FY24 to £21.9bn on 31 Mar 24, which is 12% above our previous forecast of £19.5bn, and +14% y-o-y growth (AUM 31 Mar 23: £19.2bn). In turn, our FY24 revenue forecast increases from £188.4m to £191.6m (+5% y-o-y, FY23: £182.9m).

PBT rose from £50.1m to £52.1m (+15% y-o-y, FY23: £45.2m) and basic EPS from 38.3p to 39.8p (+8% y-o-y, FY23: 36.8p). The EPS revision translates to a forward PER of just 11.5x

Investment performance was the booster for AUM in Q4, adding +£2.3bn or +12%, but for us probably most pleasing update was a return to positive, albeit modest, net flows in the quarter of +£56m. Moreover, Polar reported strong net flows in March (+£228m).

For the sector, there are signs of an improving outlook for UK and European equity and active management fund flows. For Polar Capital we think that its PER has clear potential for a re-rating and our fundamental valuation increases to 650p/share (42% above the current share price).
Underlying
Polar Capital Holdings

Polar Capital Holdings is an investment management company providing professional and institutional investors a range of geographical and sector funds. Co. manages 25 funds and four managed accounts across a range of long only and alternative products. Co. has one class of business, being the provision of investment management and advisory services. As of Mar 31 2017, Co. had total assets under management of £9.27 billion.

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 Bryant

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