Benefitting from refocus on core operations
Randall & Quilter IH (R&Q) is a long-established UK and US insurance business led by an experienced team. It is focused on two core strategies: to drive commission income from writing niche books of business using its two licensed UK and US carriers and to grow an industry leading provider of exit solutions for legacy/ run-off insurance assets to vendors in the US, Bermuda and Europe.The interims reveal the early benefits of R&Q’s decision to simplify its business in 2016 and refocus on two core strategic areas. Volumes of new legacy and program management deals are gathering momentum, building complementary revenues and leveraging the group’s core competitive advantages and enabling it to capitalise on industry trends. The rationalisation has created two core divisions and activities.
A strong first half saw a 40% increase in underlying operating profit (continuing operations) to £7.8m. That reflects growing contributions from legacy purchases, demand for program underwriting services in US and Europe, and a streamlined expense base. Two acquisitions announced with the interims could make a significant impact this year, subject to receipt of regulatory approval before 31 December, or in FY19 if not.
Both divisions reported encouraging client growth and strong new business pipelines and look well placed to benefit as insurers seek to manage competitive pressures and cope with increased regulation. Additionally, R&Q’s Malta base puts it in a strong position to capitalise upon uncertainty resulting from the Brexit negotiations.
Our forecasts assume the latest acquisition completes this year, but overall, builds in a 12-18 months delay before new program management business is fully reflected in the bottom line, which relates to accounting. As those factors fall away with scale, operational gearing should take over and drive up margins. Also, bigger floats and rising interest rates may see an upâ€tick in investment income.
A well-covered 4.7% yield (tax-free to UK private investors as a distribution of capital) and PER of 11x discounts early risks and looks attractive relative to upside potential.
Randall & Quilter Investment Holdings is a holding and investment company. Through its subsidiaries, Co. acts as owners and managers of insurance companies, live and in run-off, as underwriting managers for insurers, as participators and managers of Lloyd's syndicates, as purchasers of insurance receivables and as service providers to the non-life insurance market. Co.'s has 3 segments: insurance investments which acquires and assumes legacy portfolios, insurance debt and provides capital support to Lloyd's syndicates; insurance services which provides insurance related services; and underwriting management, which provides management to Lloyd's syndicates and operates underwriting entities.
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.
Unfortunately, this report is not available for the investor type or country you selected.
Browse all ResearchPool reportsReport is subscription only.
Thank you, your report is ready.
Thank you, your report is ready.