Heliad Equity Partners — New investments under new management

Heliad (XETRA: A7A)

Last close As at 18/04/2024

EUR8.85

0.20 (2.31%)

Market capitalisation

EUR75m

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Research: Investment Companies

Heliad Equity Partners — New investments under new management

Heliad Equity Partners (HEP) has recently become more active, with a mid-double digit million-euro amount invested across several private companies under its new strategy. Following the recent management change (with Falk Schäfers now the sole board member), HEP has been focusing on providing growth equity financing and investing in pre-IPO opportunities. Meanwhile, its H121 results were largely driven by the change in the share price of flatexDEGIRO, its largest holding representing c 81% of NAV at end-June 2021.

Milosz Papst

Written by

Milosz Papst

Director, Financials

Investment Companies

Heliad Equity Partners

New investments under new management

Investment companies

Deutsches Eigenkapitalforum 2021

29 October 2021

Price

€11.5

Market cap

€114m

Share price graph

Share details

Code

HPBK

Shares in issue

9.87m

NAV per share at end-June 2021

€20.33

Business description

Heliad Equity Partners is a Germany-based investment company focused on investing in market-leading private companies across verticals and regions to power their next phase of growth. It aims to provide shareholders with access to pre-IPO market returns, while at the same time acting as a gateway to public equity markets for private companies.

Bull

Recent acceleration of investment activity aimed at increasing exposure to private companies.

Strong deal origination network.

flatexDEGIRO’s growth story.

Bear

Portfolio concentration remains high despite recent new investments.

Management and performance fees charged on a portfolio which is still dominated by one listed holding.

New investment strategy still to be validated.

Analyst

Milosz Papst

+44 (0) 20 3077 5700

Heliad Equity Partners (HEP) has recently become more active, with a mid-double digit million-euro amount invested across several private companies under its new strategy. Following the recent management change (with Falk Schäfers now the sole board member), HEP has been focusing on providing growth equity financing and investing in pre-IPO opportunities. Meanwhile, its H121 results were largely driven by the change in the share price of flatexDEGIRO, its largest holding representing c 81% of NAV at end-June 2021.

flatexDEGIRO’s share price highly volatile ytd

HEP reported net income of €68.4m in H121 (versus €32.3m in H120), mostly on the back of the c 86% increase in flatexDEGIRO’s share price during the period. Having said that, we note that the latter has subsequently given up most of the H121 share price gains following its preliminary H121 results release, which may be due to some moderation in the Q221 results following a particularly strong Q121 (albeit expected by the management). HEP’s other operating expenses increased to €6.0m in H121 versus €1.3m in H120, primarily due to the performance fee paid to its investment manager (none was paid in H120).

HEP’s new investment activity picking up

The company has recently announced a number of new private investments, including Enpal (a company active in photovoltaics leasing), Modifi (a digital trade finance platform for SMEs), Upscalio (a company investing in brands that sell on e-commerce marketplaces such as Amazon or Flipkart in India) and Razor Group (another business consolidating third-party merchants on Amazon’s Marketplace). Consequently, we believe HEP has deployed most of its previous cash position. Moreover, it has entered into a ‘collar’ option strategy on flatexDEGIRO’s shares to secure additional funding.

Valuation: Continues to trade at a discount to NAV

HEP’s shares currently trade at a 43% discount to last reported NAV of €20.33 at end-June 2021. After accounting for the stake in flatexDEGIRO at the current share price (and all else being equal), we estimate that HEP’s discount to NAV is c 25%. While most listed investment companies focused on the private equities market tend to trade at a discount to NAV, the level of HEP’s discount is also influenced by the management and performance fees paid to investment manager on a portfolio that is still dominated by one listed holding. That said, its recent investment activity to build a diverse portfolio of private holdings reflects an active investment strategy.

Historical financials

Year
end

Revenue
(€m)

PBT
(€m)

EPS
(€)

P/E
(x)

NAV/share
(€)

P/NAV
(x)

12/17

43.1

39.6

4.0

2.9

12.2

0.9

12/18

(50.6)

(57.6)

(5.7)

N/A

6.2

1.9

12/19

14.5

11.7

1.1

10.0

7.4

1.6

12/20

60.7

58.1

5.8

2.0

13.3

0.9

Source: Heliad Equity Partners. Note: P/NAV based on current share price.

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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

1185 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

General disclaimer and copyright

This report has been prepared and issued by Edison. 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.

Accuracy of content: All information used in the publication of this report has been compiled from publicly available sources that are believed to be reliable, however we do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of this report and have not sought for this information to be independently verified. Opinions contained in this report represent those of the research department of Edison at the time of publication. Forward-looking information or statements in this report contain information that is based on assumptions, forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable, and therefore involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of their subject matter to be materially different from current expectations.

Exclusion of Liability: To the fullest extent allowed by law, Edison shall not be liable for any direct, indirect or consequential losses, loss of profits, damages, costs or expenses incurred or suffered by you arising out or in connection with the access to, use of or reliance on any information contained on this note.

No personalised advice: The information that we provide should not be construed in any manner whatsoever as, personalised advice. Also, the information provided by us should not be construed by any subscriber or prospective subscriber as Edison’s solicitation to effect, or attempt to effect, any transaction in a security. The securities described in the report may not be eligible for sale in all jurisdictions or to certain categories of investors.

Investment in securities mentioned: Edison has a restrictive policy relating to personal dealing and conflicts of interest. Edison Group does not conduct any investment business and, accordingly, does not itself hold any positions in the securities mentioned in this report. However, the respective directors, officers, employees and contractors of Edison may have a position in any or related securities mentioned in this report, subject to Edison's policies on personal dealing and conflicts of interest.

Copyright: Copyright 2020 Edison Investment Research Limited (Edison).

Australia

Edison Investment Research Pty Ltd (Edison AU) is the Australian subsidiary of Edison. Edison AU is a Corporate Authorised Representative (1252501) of Crown Wealth Group Pty Ltd who holds an Australian Financial Services Licence (Number: 494274). 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

This document is prepared and provided by Edison for information purposes only and should not be construed as an offer or solicitation for investment in any securities mentioned or in the topic of this document. A marketing communication under FCA Rules, this document has not been prepared in accordance with the legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and is not subject to any prohibition on dealing ahead of the dissemination of investment research.

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.

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

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

1185 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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