Utilico Emerging Markets Trust — Finding attractively valued growth opportunities

Utilico Emerging Markets Trust (LSE: UEM)

Last close As at 28/03/2024

GBP2.18

1.00 (0.46%)

Market capitalisation

GBP415m

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Research: Investment Companies

Utilico Emerging Markets Trust — Finding attractively valued growth opportunities

Utilico Emerging Markets Trust (UEM) has been managed by Charles Jillings at ICM Group since the fund was launched in 2005. He continues to find interesting infrastructure and utility investment opportunities in emerging markets. The manager notes that investee companies have strong earnings growth, supporting higher dividend payments; however, he says that company valuations have not kept pace with earnings growth, providing opportunities for revaluation. Jillings is constructive on the outlook for emerging market equities, and comments that a resolution to the US-China trade dispute would be beneficial for most regions. He is optimistic regarding a positive outcome, given the high importance to both parties in reaching an agreement.

Melanie Jenner

Written by

Mel Jenner

Director, Investment Trusts

Investment Companies

Utilico Emerging Markets Trust

Finding attractively valued growth opportunities

Investment trusts
EM infrastructure and utilities

25 April 2019

Price

223.0p

Market cap

£512m

AUM

£575m

NAV*

247.9p

Discount to NAV

10.0%

NAV**

250.4p

Discount to NAV

11.0%

*Excluding income. **Including income. As at 23 April 2019.

Yield

3.2%

Ordinary shares in issue

229.8m

Code

UEM

Primary exchange

LSE

AIC sector

Global Emerging Markets

Share price/discount performance

Three-year performance vs index

52-week high/low

223.3p

189.0p

254.3p

220.7p

*Including income.

Gearing

Gross*

1.4%

Net debt*

1.1%

*As at 31 March 2019.

Analysts

Mel Jenner

+44 (0)20 3077 5720

Gavin Wood

+44 (0)20 3681 2503

Utilico Emerging Markets Trust is a research client of Edison Investment Research Limited

Utilico Emerging Markets Trust (UEM) has been managed by Charles Jillings at ICM Group since the fund was launched in 2005. He continues to find interesting infrastructure and utility investment opportunities in emerging markets. The manager notes that investee companies have strong earnings growth, supporting higher dividend payments; however, he says that company valuations have not kept pace with earnings growth, providing opportunities for revaluation. Jillings is constructive on the outlook for emerging market equities, and comments that a resolution to the US-China trade dispute would be beneficial for most regions. He is optimistic regarding a positive outcome, given the high importance to both parties in reaching an agreement.

NAV outperformance versus the MSCI Emerging Markets index over the last year – particularly over the last six months

Source: Refinitiv, Edison Investment Research

The market opportunity

Expectations for economic growth in emerging markets continue to meaningfully exceed those for developed economies. In addition, in aggregate, valuation differentials favour emerging markets in terms of both lower earnings multiples and higher dividend yields.

Why consider investing in Utilico Emerging Markets?

A specialist fund offering exposure to infrastructure and utility assets with structural growth drivers, in emerging markets, offering a 3.2% dividend yield.

The majority of investee companies are profitable and generating cash flows.

Managed by highly experienced team that forges strong relationships with the companies in which they invest.

Since inception, UEM’s NAV total return has compounded at 11.0% pa.

Progressive distribution policy

UEM’s current 11.0% discount to cum-income NAV compares with the 9.3% to 12.8% range of average discounts over the last one, three, five and 10 years. The trust has a progressive dividend policy; annual distributions have increased or been maintained since the fund was launched (July 2005). UEM currently offers a dividend yield of 3.2%. It can gear and has a £50m committed bank facility (1.1% net debt position at end-March 2019).

Exhibit 1: Trust at a glance

Investment objective and fund background

Recent developments

Utilico Emerging Markets Trust’s investment objective is to provide long-term total return by investing predominantly in infrastructure, utility and related equities mainly in emerging markets.

18 February 2019: Announcement of third quarterly interim dividend of 1.80p per share.

21 November 2018: Six-month results to 30 September 2018. NAV TR -7.5% versus MSCI Emerging Markets Index TR -2.0%. Share price TR -6.7%.

19 November 2018: Announcement of second quarterly interim dividend of 1.80p per share.

Forthcoming

Capital structure

Fund details

AGM

September 2019

Ongoing charges

1.1%

Group

ICM Group

Final results

June 2019

Net gearing

1.1%

Manager

Charles Jillings

Year end

31 March

Annual mgmt fee

0.65%

Address

PO Box 208,
Epsom, Surrey
KT18 7YF

Dividend paid

September, December, March, June

Performance fee

15% of outperformance (cap: 1.85% of average net assets)

Launch date

20 July 2005

Trust life

Indefinite (subject to vote)

Phone

+44 (0)1372 271486

Continuation vote

Five yearly, next 2021 AGM

Loan facilities

£50m

Website

www.uemtrust.co.uk

Dividend policy and history (financial years)

Share buyback policy and history (financial years)

The trust is managed for total return, but the board broadly seeks flat or rising dividends.

Subject to annual renewal, UEM has authority to repurchase up to 14.99% and allot shares up to 10% of the issued share capital. Allotments include exercise of subscription shares.

Shareholder base (as at 29 March 2019)

Portfolio exposure by sector (look through as at 31 March 2019)

Top 10 holdings (as at 31 March 2019)

Company

Country

Sector

Portfolio weight %

31 March 2019

31 March 2018*

International Container Terminal Services

Philippines

Ports operator

6.3

4.4

Cia de Gas de Sao Paulo (Comgas)

Brazil

Gas distribution

4.4

2.8

Alupar Investimento

Brazil

Electricity generation & transmission

4.0

3.3

Ocean Wilsons Holdings

Brazil

Ports operator & shipping services

3.9

4.0

China Resources Gas Group

China

Gas distribution

3.7

N/A

Energisa

Brazil

Electricity distribution

3.6

2.7

Rumo

Brazil

Rail-based logistics operator

3.2

N/A

Engie Energia Chile

Chile

Electricity generation & transmission

2.9

N/A

Yuexiu Transport Infrastructure

China

Toll roads operator

2.8

3.1

Cia de Saneamento do Paraná (Sanepar)

Brazil

Water & waste management

2.7

N/A

Top 10 (% of holdings)

37.5

31.8

Source: Utilico Emerging Markets Trust, Edison Investment Research, Bloomberg, Morningstar. Note: *N/A where not in end-March 2018 top 10.

Market outlook: Superior growth, attractive valuations

The International Monetary Fund has recently released its April 2019 World Economic Outlook. The growth forecasts for emerging market economies remain superior to those for advanced economies (4.4% versus 1.8% for 2018 and 4.8% versus 1.7% for 2020 – driven largely by Asian growth prospects). Factors contributing to this higher growth include: favourable demographics with a growing working-age population; a rapidly growing middle class with high standards of education; and robust levels of infrastructure spending.

As shown in Exhibit 2 (right-hand side), emerging market equities are trading on relatively attractive forward earnings and price-to-book multiples, while offering above-average dividend yields. This backdrop of superior growth expectations in emerging markets, coupled with relatively attractive valuations, may appeal to UK investors seeking overseas equity exposure.

Exhibit 2: Market performance and valuation

Indices’ total return performance (£-adjusted, past five years)

Indices valuation metrics as at 31 March 2019

Source: Refinitiv, MSCI, Edison Investment Research

Fund profile: EM infrastructure and utility specialist

Launched in July 2005, and historically domiciled in Bermuda as an investment company, UEM re-domiciled to the UK as an investment trust via a scheme of arrangement on 3 April 2018. Following the fund’s move to the UK, there has been no change in the investment objective or dividend policy. The trust is managed by the ICM Group (ICM and ICM Investment Management, a specialist fund manager, based in Bermuda and the UK, with c $18bn of assets under influence as at end-2018). Since launch, the lead manager has been Charles Jillings, a qualified chartered accountant with more than 30 years’ experience in global financial markets. He aims to generate attractive long-term total returns from a diversified portfolio of emerging market equities, primarily in the infrastructure, utility and related sectors.

Stocks are selected on a bottom-up basis and the manager is unconstrained by benchmark allocations, although the MSCI Emerging Markets Index is used in this report as a reference. UEM’s portfolio typically contains 60–90 positions (89 at end-H119). The benchmark for the trust’s performance fee is the UK Gilt five- to 10-year index post-tax yield, plus RPIX inflation, plus 2%, subject to an 8% minimum and capped at 1.85% of average NAV. In order to mitigate risk, there are internal investment limits in place (as a percentage of gross assets): individual investment – 10%; top 10 holdings – 60%; single country – 30%; individual sector – 25%; and unquoted companies – 5%. Gearing of up to 25% of gross assets is permitted; at end-March 2019, UEM had net gearing of 1.1%. Since launch, the trust’s NAV total return has compounded at 11.0% per annum.

The fund manager: Charles Jillings

The manager’s view: Constructive on the investment outlook

Manager Charles Jillings sees the current investment backdrop as clouded by two issues, both of which have binary outcomes: the US-China trade dispute and Brexit. He says that resolution of trade tensions would be beneficial for both the US and China, and also for the rest of the world; while he believes that a ‘hard’ Brexit would be negative for global growth, given the UK is the fifth-largest economy and the negative impacts on European economic activity could also be meaningful. Jillings says that the number one overhanging issue is US-China relations, and he expects an agreement to be reached, given the high importance of a settlement to each of the countries. When this happens, the manager says there should be a positive global economic impact, and he would also expect stock markets to react favourably, driven by improved earnings and higher valuations.

Commenting on the outlook for emerging markets in particular, Jillings says they are “reasonably well set” as equities have pulled back and valuations are undemanding. He says that UEM should benefit in particular from infrastructure spending in China and Brazil, while the latter is also undergoing a privatisation cycle, potentially creating new investment opportunities. While he believes that the US dollar should remain robust versus emerging market currencies, given that interest rates in developing countries are likely to be reduced rather than rise, he does not consider this too great an impediment for economic growth prospects.

The manager has recently returned from a trip to South America, and comments that UEM’s Argentinian positions are as attractive as other holdings in the portfolio in terms of asset quality, the strength of corporate management teams, and valuations. However, the country needs political stability before there is a clear view of earnings prospects, and there is a very sharp division between the left and right political parties ahead of the October 2019 presidential election. Jillings says that in Brazil, there have been significant new infrastructure concessions awarded. He notes that portfolio company Alupar Investimento is benefiting from building out its pipeline of projects, and is generating higher returns on capital than initially expected. The manager also believes there is a better regulatory framework in the country, as President Jair Bolsonaro has market-friendly advisers in place who are delivering favourable regulatory outcomes. Jillings also notes that in the offshore oil industry, major tenders have recently been awarded for pre-salt oil projects, running into billions of US dollars, which should be a positive boost for the Brazilian economy. He says that in aggregate, over the last six months, corporate earnings in Brazil have been stronger than expected; companies have been building out assets that provide operational leverage, and have benefited from lower interest rates and input costs.

Asset allocation

Investment process: In-depth fundamental research

Jillings and the ICM investment team seek undervalued companies, primarily in the infrastructure, utility and related sectors in emerging markets that have the potential to generate total returns of at least 15% pa. The majority of investee companies are backed by hard assets and are cash generative (operational businesses rather than greenfield investments). Favoured countries for investment are politically stable with a robust legal framework, a resilient economy and a positive attitude towards foreign investment. Jillings selects stocks on a bottom-up basis from a bespoke universe of c 900 potential investee companies. Any company considered for inclusion in UEM’s portfolio undergoes thorough fundamental analysis, including construction of detailed financial models and valuation targets, and meeting company managements and undertaking site visits are key elements of the research process. An ideal investment is in a company with operational leverage, generating strong cash flows, run by a strong management team with a good corporate governance track record, which also offers an attractive dividend yield that can provide a level of support in periods of stock market weakness.

The manager has a long-term investment horizon, avoiding short-term stock market ‘noise’. He explains that due to the nature of UEM’s investments, the trust has tended to underperform the MSCI Emerging Markets Index during a cyclical upturn led by sectors such as technology, financials and consumer discretionary, while outperforming in a falling market.

Current portfolio positioning

Compared with a year ago, UEM’s top 10 holding concentration is somewhat higher, 37.5% at end-March 2019 (31.8% 12 months earlier – see Exhibit 1). Jillings is keen to stress that all of UEM’s investments are made on a bottom-up basis. However, for illustrative purposes in Exhibit 3 we show exposure changes over the 12 months ending March 2019. The most significant changes are a higher weighting in Brazil (+5.9pp) and reduced Argentinian exposure (-6.8pp), with a higher weighting in waste and water (+2.6pp) and lower exposure to electricity assets (-4.1pp). Currently c 3% of the fund is held in unlisted companies and around three-quarters of portfolio companies pay a dividend.

The manager comments on UEM’s Romanian exposure, which has declined (-3.8pp) over the last 12 months. On 19 December 2018, the Bucharest Stock Exchange Trading Index fell by more than 10% following a surprise ‘tax on greed’ announced by the Romanian government, which aimed to raise c $2.5bn by, among other measures, imposing a tax on the assets of bank and energy companies. Following a widespread backlash, the government has watered down its proposals and the Romanian stock market has largely recovered from its December 2018 losses. Jillings reiterates that UEM’s investments in the country remain highly cash generative with strong dividend streams, and are backed by long-duration assets.

Exhibit 3: Portfolio geographic and industry exposure (% unless stated)

Geography

Portfolio end-March 2019

Portfolio end- March 2018

Change (pp)

Industry

Portfolio end-March 2019

Portfolio end- March 2018

Change (pp)

Brazil

29.0

23.1

5.9

Electricity

20.0

24.1

(4.1)

China incl. Hong Kong

20.3

17.2

3.1

Gas

15.8

17.7

(1.9)

Philippines

8.3

5.6

2.7

Ports

15.0

12.5

2.5

Romania

7.0

10.8

(3.8)

Road and rail

10.4

8.5

1.9

Other Latin America

6.1

4.0

2.1

Telecoms & satellites

9.1

7.5

1.6

Middle East/Africa

5.8

6.5

(0.7)

Airports

7.0

10.5

(3.5)

India

5.8

5.7

0.1

Other

6.8

9.2

(2.4)

Other Asia

4.4

3.8

0.6

Water and waste

6.8

4.2

2.6

Other Europe

4.4

5.1

(0.7)

Renewables

5.9

3.8

2.1

Argentina

3.4

10.2

(6.8)

Infrastructure inv funds

3.2

2.0

1.2

Chile

2.9

4.0

(1.1)

Malaysia

1.9

3.2

(1.3)

Thailand

0.7

0.8

(0.1)

100.0

100.0

 

100.0

100.0

Source: Utilico Emerging Markets Trust, Edison Investment Research

UEM provides regular detailed information on its top 20 holdings; two relatively recent additions to the list are Cosan Logistica and Cia de Saneamento do Paraná (Sanepar). Cosan Logistica (72.5% owned by Cosan) currently owns 28.5% of rail operator Rumo (also in the portfolio) and provides exposure to the company at a meaningful discount to Rumo’s standalone valuation. Sanepar is one of the largest water and waste management companies in Brazil, providing services to residential, commercial and industrial customers; the stock has appreciated meaningfully so far this year. One of UEM’s positions that is no longer in the top 20 is Malaysia Airports Holdings. The position size was reduced due to concerns about its upcoming concession renewal taking longer than expected, and uncertainty around the terms of the new regulatory framework. Also, a weaker Malaysian economy, affected by the new government’s anti-corruption agenda (a policy that tends to slow economic activity), has been negatively affecting the company’s passenger numbers.

Performance: Solid long-term returns

Exhibit 4: Five-year discrete performance data

12 months ending

Share price
(%)

NAV
(%)

MSCI Emerging
Markets (%)

MSCI EM Infrastructure
Capped (%)

Performance fee
benchmark (%)

31/03/15

8.2

12.4

13.2

13.1

8.0

31/03/16

(1.8)

(0.3)

(8.8)

(5.5)

8.0

31/03/17

24.3

22.8

35.2

24.0

8.0

31/03/18

2.8

6.1

11.8

(1.8)

8.0

31/03/19

5.5

3.4

0.1

2.8

8.0

Source: Refinitiv. Note: All % on a total return basis in pounds sterling. Performance fee benchmark subject to an 8% minimum from April 2014. MSCI indices are shown for illustrative purposes.

While emerging markets can be volatile, as shown in Exhibit 5 (RHS), UEM has generated solid total returns averaging 12.3% pa over the last decade in both NAV and share price terms.

Exhibit 5: Investment trust performance to 31 March 2019

Price, NAV and index total return performance, one-year rebased

Price, NAV and index total return performance (%)

Source: Refinitiv, Edison Investment Research. Note: Three, five and 10-year performance figures annualised.

UEM’s relative returns are shown in Exhibit 6; it has outperformed the MSCI Emerging Markets Index over one and 10 years, while lagging over three and five years. However, arguably a more relevant measure, given the nature of its investments, is its performance versus the MSCI Emerging Markets Infrastructure Index – UEM has outperformed this index over one, three, five and 10 years in both NAV and share price terms. Jillings highlights the trust’s strong relative performance over the last six months. He says this is largely attributable to the large weighting in Brazil (c 30% of the fund), where there was a conscious decision to increase exposure in anticipation of a positive outcome in the 2018 Brazilian presidential election. The manager also notes that some of UEM’s holdings in the gas sector have performed well such as China Resources Gas and Comgas, which received a takeover bid at a higher than 20% premium (although the manager believes that the bid price does not fully reflect the fair value of the company).

Exhibit 6: Share price and NAV total return performance, relative to indices (%)

 

One month

Three months

Six months

One year

Three years

Five years

10 years

Price relative to MSCI Emerging Markets

(1.7)

(0.1)

11.0

5.5

(10.8)

(8.2)

19.5

NAV relative to MSCI Emerging Markets

(1.1)

0.7

9.7

3.4

(10.9)

(3.2)

18.9

Price relative to MSCI EM Infrastructure

(0.1)

2.3

5.4

2.7

7.7

7.0

38.1

NAV relative to MSCI EM Infrastructure

0.4

3.1

4.3

0.6

7.5

12.8

37.4

Price relative to FTSE All-Share

(1.4)

(1.9)

15.2

(0.8)

2.7

6.5

11.7

NAV relative to FTSE All-Share

(0.8)

(1.1)

13.9

(2.8)

2.6

12.3

11.1

Price relative to performance fee benchmark*

0.6

5.4

8.9

(2.3)

7.1

(2.5)

52.1

NAV relative to performance fee benchmark*

1.2

6.2

7.6

(4.2)

7.0

2.8

51.4

Source: Refinitiv, Edison Investment Research. Note: Data to end-March 2019. Geometric calculation. *Benchmark for performance fee is UK Gilt five- to 10-year post-tax yield, plus RPIX, plus 2%, subject to an 8% minimum from 1 April 2014.

Exhibit 7: NAV total return performance relative to MSCI EM index over five years

Source: Refinitiv, Edison Investment Research

Discount: Narrowed in recent months

UEM is currently trading at a 11.0% discount to cum-income NAV, which compares with an 8.6% to 16.9% range over the last 12 months. The 16.9% discount reached in October 2018 was the widest in the last decade; the narrowing of the discount in recent months may have been supported by UEM’s simplified capital structure (now registered as a UK investment trust with no subscription shares). Over the last one, three, five and 10 years, the trust has traded at average discounts of 12.8%, 11.8%, 10.4% and 9.3%, respectively. The board actively monitors the discount, and is inclined, but not committed, to buy back shares when the discount exceeds 10% (up to a maximum 14.99% of the shares in issue each year). So far in FY19, c 5.0m shares have been repurchased (2.1% of the end-FY18 share base) at a cost of £9.9m. UEM was restricted from purchasing any shares between the re-domicile date in April 2018 and mid-August 2018, due to the timing of a capital reduction to create distributable reserves. There is also the potential for periodic discretionary tender offers, although so far none have been undertaken.

Exhibit 8: Share price discount to NAV (including income) over three years (%)

Source: Refinitiv, Edison Investment Research

Capital structure and fees

Following the final exercise of subscription shares in February 2018, UEM has had a single class of share; there are currently 229.8m ordinary shares in issue. The trust has a three-year unsecured £50m revolving credit facility with Scotiabank Europe (expiring on 3 April 2021), and at end-March 2019, net gearing was a modest 1.1%.

UEM pays ICM an annual management fee of 0.65% of NAV. In H119, annualised ongoing charges were 1.1%; modestly higher than 1.0% in FY18. Subject to an 8% minimum hurdle, a 15% performance fee on returns above the UK gilt five- to 10-year index post-tax yield plus RPIX inflation plus 2% is payable; the NAV must exceed the high watermark NAV from when the performance fee was last paid (adjusted for capital events and dividends). The performance fee is capped at 1.85% of net assets, and is paid 50% in shares and 50% in cash.

Dividend policy and record

UEM’s board has a progressive dividend policy, and annual dividends have been increased or maintained each year since the fund launched in 2005. Distributions may be made from income or capital and are paid quarterly in September, December, March and June. Annual dividends have compounded at 3.8% pa over the last five years; UEM’s FY18 7.00p per share total dividend was 5.3% higher year-on-year, and was 1.3x covered by revenue. FY18 income was boosted by higher dividends from investee companies, and from UEM’s larger Latin American exposure (typically a higher-yielding region). So far in FY19, three interim dividends of 1.80p per share have been paid (total of 5.40p), which in aggregate is 3.8% higher than the 5.20p sum of the first three interim dividends paid in FY18. Based on its current share price, UEM has a dividend yield of 3.2%.

Peer group comparison

UEM is a member of the AIC Global Emerging Markets sector. In Exhibit 9, we highlight the eight funds in this group that have a market cap greater than £100m and have been trading for more than a year. While UEM offers a unique investment proposition in infrastructure and utility assets, a comparison with its peers provides some perspective. The trust’s NAV total return is well above average over 10 years (ranking second out of five funds), while lagging the averages by varying degrees over the other periods shown. However, the dilutive effect of UEM’s historic subscription shares is not adjusted for, so UEM’s actual NAV total returns are higher than the reported numbers. The trust’s discount is wider than the mean; its ongoing charge is below average, although it is one of two funds eligible for a performance fee. UEM’s dividend yield is the third highest in the selected peer group, 1.1pp above the average.

Exhibit 9: Selected peer group as at 25 April 2019*

% unless stated

Market cap (£m)

NAV TR
1 year

NAV TR
3 year

NAV TR
5 year

NAV TR
10 year

Discount (cum-fair)

Ongoing charge

Perf.
fee

Net gearing

Dividend yield (%)

Utilico Emerging Markets Trust

512.5

4.1

34.7

48.7

186.0

(10.4)

1.1

Yes

101

3.2

Aberdeen Emerging Markets

268.9

2.0

46.2

54.8

119.2

(13.6)

1.0

No

104

0.3

BlackRock Frontiers

330.9

(8.3)

41.5

42.5

(0.0)

2.0

Yes

117

4.2

Fundsmith Emerging Equities Trust

331.7

2.4

28.2

0.3

1.8

No

100

0.2

Genesis Emerging Markets Fund

997.4

6.0

47.8

51.4

179.4

(12.1)

1.5

No

100

2.0

JPMorgan Emerging Markets

1,188.9

12.9

66.4

85.9

210.4

(8.5)

1.0

No

100

1.3

JPMorgan Global Emerging Markets

406.6

9.4

54.0

53.6

(1.5)

1.3

No

108

3.6

Templeton Emerging Markets

1,984.3

9.2

74.4

55.5

181.4

(10.0)

1.1

No

102

1.9

Average

752.6

4.7

49.2

56.1

175.3

(7.0)

1.3

104

2.1

UEM rank (out of eight funds)

4

5

7

6

2

6

5

5

3

Source: Morningstar, Edison Investment Research. Note: *Performance data as at 24 April 2019 based on ex-par NAV. TR = total return. Net gearing is total assets less cash and equivalents as a percentage of net assets.

The board

There are five non-executive directors on UEM’s board, of which four are independent of the manager. The chairman is John Rennocks (appointed to the board in November 2015, chairman since September 2016). The other directors and their dates of appointment are: Garry Madeiros (June 2007); Anthony Muh (October 2010); Susan Hansen (September 2013); and Garth Milne (November 2014). Hansen is considered to be non-independent as she is also on the board of a company associated with ICM. UEM’s manager Charles Jillings stood down from the board in March 2012 to increase its independence and improve corporate governance. Directors’ fees are paid in UEM shares, ensuring all shareholders’ interests are aligned.

General disclaimer and copyright

This report has been commissioned by Utilico Emerging Markets Trust and prepared and issued by Edison, in consideration of a fee payable by Utilico Emerging Markets Trust. Edison Investment Research standard fees are £49,500 pa for the production and broad dissemination of a detailed note (Outlook) following by regular (typically quarterly) update notes. Fees are paid upfront in cash without recourse. Edison may seek additional fees for the provision of roadshows and related IR services for the client but does not get remunerated for any investment banking services. We never take payment in stock, options or warrants for any of our services.

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This Communication is being distributed in the United Kingdom and is directed only at (i) persons having professional experience in matters relating to investments, i.e. investment professionals within the meaning of Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the "FPO") (ii) high net-worth companies, unincorporated associations or other bodies within the meaning of Article 49 of the FPO and (iii) persons to whom it is otherwise lawful to distribute it. The investment or investment activity to which this document relates is available only to such persons. It is not intended that this document be distributed or passed on, directly or indirectly, to any other class of persons and in any event and under no circumstances should persons of any other description rely on or act upon the contents of this document (nor will such persons be able to purchase shares in the placing).

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The Investment Research is a publication distributed in the United States by Edison Investment Research, Inc. Edison Investment Research, Inc. is registered as an investment adviser with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Edison relies upon the "publishers' exclusion" from the definition of investment adviser under Section 202(a) (11) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and corresponding state securities laws. This report is a bona fide publication of general and regular circulation offering impersonal investment-related advice, not tailored to a specific investment portfolio or the needs of current and/or prospective subscribers. As such, Edison does not offer or provide personal advice and the research provided is for informational purposes only. No mention of a particular security in this report constitutes a recommendation to buy, sell or hold that or any security, or that any particular security, portfolio of securities, transaction or investment strategy is suitable for any specific person.

Frankfurt +49 (0)69 78 8076 960

Schumannstrasse 34b

60325 Frankfurt

Germany

London +44 (0)20 3077 5700

280 High Holborn

London, WC1V 7EE

United Kingdom

New York +1 646 653 7026

1,185 Avenue of the Americas

3rd Floor, New York, NY 10036

United States of America

Sydney +61 (0)2 8249 8342

Level 4, Office 1205

95 Pitt Street, Sydney

NSW 2000, Australia

Frankfurt +49 (0)69 78 8076 960

Schumannstrasse 34b

60325 Frankfurt

Germany

London +44 (0)20 3077 5700

280 High Holborn

London, WC1V 7EE

United Kingdom

New York +1 646 653 7026

1,185 Avenue of the Americas

3rd Floor, New York, NY 10036

United States of America

Sydney +61 (0)2 8249 8342

Level 4, Office 1205

95 Pitt Street, Sydney

NSW 2000, Australia

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Copyright: Copyright 2019 Edison Investment Research Limited (Edison). All rights reserved FTSE International Limited (“FTSE”) © FTSE 2019. “FTSE®” is a trade mark of the London Stock Exchange Group companies and is used by FTSE International Limited under license. All rights in the FTSE indices and/or FTSE ratings vest in FTSE and/or its licensors. Neither FTSE nor its licensors accept any liability for any errors or omissions in the FTSE indices and/or FTSE ratings or underlying data. No further distribution of FTSE Data is permitted without FTSE’s express written consent.

Australia

Edison Investment Research Pty Ltd (Edison AU) is the Australian subsidiary of Edison. Edison AU is a Corporate Authorised Representative (1252501) of Myonlineadvisers Pty Ltd who holds an Australian Financial Services Licence (Number: 427484). This research is issued in Australia by Edison AU and any access to it, is intended only for "wholesale clients" within the meaning of the Corporations Act 2001 of Australia. Any advice given by Edison AU is general advice only and does not take into account your personal circumstances, needs or objectives. You should, before acting on this advice, consider the appropriateness of the advice, having regard to your objectives, financial situation and needs. If our advice relates to the acquisition, or possible acquisition, of a particular financial product you should read any relevant Product Disclosure Statement or like instrument.

New Zealand

The research in this document is intended for New Zealand resident professional financial advisers or brokers (for use in their roles as financial advisers or brokers) and habitual investors who are “wholesale clients” for the purpose of the Financial Advisers Act 2008 (FAA) (as described in sections 5(c) (1)(a), (b) and (c) of the FAA). This is not a solicitation or inducement to buy, sell, subscribe, or underwrite any securities mentioned or in the topic of this document. For the purpose of the FAA, the content of this report is of a general nature, is intended as a source of general information only and is not intended to constitute a recommendation or opinion in relation to acquiring or disposing (including refraining from acquiring or disposing) of securities. The distribution of this document is not a “personalised service” and, to the extent that it contains any financial advice, is intended only as a “class service” provided by Edison within the meaning of the FAA (i.e. without taking into account the particular financial situation or goals of any person). As such, it should not be relied upon in making an investment decision.

United Kingdom

Neither this document and associated email (together, the "Communication") constitutes or form part of any offer for sale or subscription of, or solicitation of any offer to buy or subscribe for, any securities, nor shall it or any part of it form the basis of, or be relied on in connection with, any contract or commitment whatsoever. Any decision to purchase shares in the Company in the proposed placing should be made solely on the basis of the information to be contained in the admission document to be published in connection therewith.

This Communication is being distributed in the United Kingdom and is directed only at (i) persons having professional experience in matters relating to investments, i.e. investment professionals within the meaning of Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the "FPO") (ii) high net-worth companies, unincorporated associations or other bodies within the meaning of Article 49 of the FPO and (iii) persons to whom it is otherwise lawful to distribute it. The investment or investment activity to which this document relates is available only to such persons. It is not intended that this document be distributed or passed on, directly or indirectly, to any other class of persons and in any event and under no circumstances should persons of any other description rely on or act upon the contents of this document (nor will such persons be able to purchase shares in the placing).

This Communication is being supplied to you solely for your information and may not be reproduced by, further distributed to or published in whole or in part by, any other person.

United States

The Investment Research is a publication distributed in the United States by Edison Investment Research, Inc. Edison Investment Research, Inc. is registered as an investment adviser with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Edison relies upon the "publishers' exclusion" from the definition of investment adviser under Section 202(a) (11) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and corresponding state securities laws. This report is a bona fide publication of general and regular circulation offering impersonal investment-related advice, not tailored to a specific investment portfolio or the needs of current and/or prospective subscribers. As such, Edison does not offer or provide personal advice and the research provided is for informational purposes only. No mention of a particular security in this report constitutes a recommendation to buy, sell or hold that or any security, or that any particular security, portfolio of securities, transaction or investment strategy is suitable for any specific person.

Frankfurt +49 (0)69 78 8076 960

Schumannstrasse 34b

60325 Frankfurt

Germany

London +44 (0)20 3077 5700

280 High Holborn

London, WC1V 7EE

United Kingdom

New York +1 646 653 7026

1,185 Avenue of the Americas

3rd Floor, New York, NY 10036

United States of America

Sydney +61 (0)2 8249 8342

Level 4, Office 1205

95 Pitt Street, Sydney

NSW 2000, Australia

Frankfurt +49 (0)69 78 8076 960

Schumannstrasse 34b

60325 Frankfurt

Germany

London +44 (0)20 3077 5700

280 High Holborn

London, WC1V 7EE

United Kingdom

New York +1 646 653 7026

1,185 Avenue of the Americas

3rd Floor, New York, NY 10036

United States of America

Sydney +61 (0)2 8249 8342

Level 4, Office 1205

95 Pitt Street, Sydney

NSW 2000, Australia

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