Report
Paul Bryant

Forecasts up on jump in performance fees

AUM grew £0.43bn or 2.2% over Q3 of FY24 (01 Oct 23 - 31 Dec 23) to £19.56bn and is now slightly above our previous £19.40bn forecast for the 31 Mar 24 FY-end. Investment performance was exceptionally strong in the quarter, contributing +£1.51bn or +7.9% of opening AUM. This was despite a currency headwind which would have depressed GBP AUM levels of USD holdings (GBP/USD +4% over Q3 from 1.22 to 1.27).

Performance fee profits (net of staff allocations) jumped from the previous marked-to-market £1.3m, to £9.6m. As most PF’s crystallise at the end of December, this increase is now secured and not merely a mark-to-market estimate. FY24 forecasts have been upgraded accordingly.

Our fundamental valuation rises to 600p per share (32% above the current share price) as a result of the increased FY24 forecasts, and a fall in 10Y-gilt-yields (the risk-free rate used in our DCF valuation). This gap between fundamental value and share price is supported by our view that both Polar’s PER (12.3) and that of the sector (13.1) have the potential for a re-rating.
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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