Report
Paul Bryant

Q3 AUM +5%, forecasts up on performance fee jump

AUM grew £1.1bn or 4.9% over Q3 of FY25 (Oct 24 - Dec 24) to £23.8bn. This was on the back of a strong investment performance, contributing +£1.47bn despite a Dec 24 market pullback, and modest outflows of £0.26bn, mostly in Oct 24 when equity funds saw widespread outflows ahead of the UK budget. Net flows were positive over the nine months of FY25-to-date (+£0.21bn), and in calendar-2024, Polar was a standout leader among London-listed peers in attracting and retaining AUM (see page 2). The Forager fund closure reduced AUM by £0.10bn.

Performance fee profits (net of staff allocations) jumped from the previous marked-to-market £0.7m, to £8.3m. As most PF’s crystallise at the end of December, this increase is now secured and not merely a mark-to-market estimate. FY25 forecasts have been upgraded accordingly.

Given market volatility, we maintain our fundamental valuation of 650p/share, and we refer readers to our November 2024 note ("H1-25 revenue and profits jump on higher AUM"), for details. We highlight on page 2 that Polar’s PER of 11.1 is only just above sector median, despite its relative outperformance.
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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