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Mark Thomas ...
  • Martin Hall
  • Mike Foster

The Hardman & Co Monthly: July 2022

This month, we feature a contribution by Stephen Isaacs, who is known in the hedge fund world for his, often, thought-provoking commentaries about markets, economics and politics. It goes without saying that the thoughts expressed in this article are those of Stephen, and do not necessarily reflect Hardman & Co’s views.

Feature article: UK/OK – muddling through

The past few years have seen previously unheard-of constitutional risks – from threats to the Union to the departure from the EU. Britain has seen political risk brought back into investors’ equations.

With the end of Queen Elizabeth II’s 70-year reign, and three Conservative PMs in quick turn, political turmoil has become a real issue. For journalists, constant scandals make excellent copy, but the way in which British politics works is more interesting. Failures like the Truss government don’t last — the ruthlessness of the machine soon leads to change. The contrived political dramas are not a real threat to investors, and are about to be replaced by stability.
Underlyings
Advanced Oncotherapy

Advanced Oncotherapy is focused on providing radiotherapy systems for cancer treatment through the use of a proton therapy technology. Co. operates in two business segments: proton therapy and healthcare related properties. The healthcare related property U.K. segment relates to Co.'s property in Folkestone, which is being marketed for sale.

Apax Global Alpha

Apax Global Alpha is a closed-ended investment company that invests in a diversified portfolio of private equity funds and derived investments in debt and equities. As of Dec 21 2017, Co. targeted an annualized Total Net Asset Value Return across economic cycles of 12-15%, net of fees and expenses. Co.'s investment activities are managed by Apax Guernsey Managers Limited (the Investment Manager) under a discretionary investment management agreement. The Investment Manager obtains investment advice from Apax Partners LLP (Apax Partners). Apax Partners advises on investments globally in companies across four sectors: Tech & Telco, Services, Healthcare and Consumer.

Arbuthnot Banking Group

Arbuthnot Banking Group is primarily involved in banking and financial services. Co. is organized into three main operating segments: Retail banking (associate), which incorporates household cash management, personal lending and banking and insurance services; U.K. Private banking, which incorporates private banking, commercial banking and wealth management; and Group Centre, which is comprised in Co.'s Group Centre management. As of Dec 31 2016, Co.'s total assets were £1.27 billion.

H&T Group

H&T Group is a holding company. Through its subsidiary, Harvey & Thompson Limited, Co. is engaged in pawnbroking, gold purchasing, retail of jewellery, cheque cashing, unsecured lending and other related services.

ICG Enterprise Trust

ICG Enterprise Trust is an investment trust. Co. is a private equity investment company focused on buyouts in developed markets. Co. invests in private equity funds and also directly in private companies. As of Jan 31 2017, Co.'s total investment portfolio amounted to £594.3 million.

Pantheon International

Pantheon International is an investment trust company. Co. invests in a diversified portfolio of private equity assets managed by third party managers across the world. Co. manages its portfolio by creating primary and secondary investments in private equity funds as well as co-investing directly in companies alongside private equity managers. Co. is engaged in the single segment of business, being an investment business. As of May 31 2017, the market value of Co.'s investment portfolio was £1,224,000,000.

Real Estate Credit Investments

Shield Therapeutics

Shield Therapeutics is a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of late stage, hospital-focused pharmaceuticals which address areas of high unmet medical need. Co.'s key products are Feraccru®, commercially available for the treatment of Iron Deficiency Anaemia, and PT20, for the treatment of systemic phosphate accumulation (otherwise known as hyperphosphatemia). Co. has an additional pipeline of three prescription pharmaceutical assets (PT20, PT30 and PT40) with commercial synergies.

Surface Transforms PLC

Surface Transforms is a developer and manufacturer of carbon ceramic products for the brakes market. Co. is engaged in the design, manufacture and sell carbon fiber components. Co.'s products in the automotive industry are lightweight, durable and refined, providing heat dissipation and material strength. In the aerospace industry, Co.'s products provideweight reduction, improved brake performance and wear life. Co's research activities are concentrated on the ongoing identification of new products and applications for carbon fibre reinforced ceramic friction and non-friction materials.

Volta Finance (GBP)

Volta Finance is a closed-ended investment company with the objective of investing, among other asset types, in the following main asset classes: Collateralized Loan Obligation, Synthetic Corporate Credit, Cash Corporate Credit and ABS. Co. has appointed AXA Investment Managers Paris S.A., as its Alternative Investment Fund Manager to manage the investments of Co.

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Analysts
Mark Thomas

Martin Hall

Mike Foster

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